The National Fried Chicken Festival is adding more bass to the batter this year.Ad 0:00 Click for sound 0:00 / 0:00 Dillon Francis and A-Trak are among the headliners set to perform at the 2026 event, which returns to the New Orleans Lakefront October 2-4 for its 10th annual event.
The special anniversary edition is expanding to three days and leaning harder into music by virtue of a lineup that also includes Nelly, 2 Chainz, Ying Yang Twins, Keri Hilson, Webbie and local icon Big Freedia with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.The bookings signal a notable shift for a festival historically built around food, local culture and community programming.
While DJs have appeared on past lineups, Dillon Francis and A-Trak mark the festival’s most prominent EDM bookings to date.Founded in 2016, the National Fried Chicken Festival has grown into one of New Orleans’ more recognizable culinary events.
The festival has served 2.4 million pounds of chicken to roughly 500,000 attendees over the past decade, according to its organizers.This year’s edition will feature three stages and 40 restaurant vendors along with lounges, VIP offerings, a 5k run/walk, family-friendly activites and the Raising Cane’s Block Party.
The bigger music push also comes with higher weekend pricing.Friday general admission remains closer to previous years at $21 including taxes and fees, while single-day tickets for Saturday or Sunday are priced at $70.
A three-day general admission pass is $115.You can purchase tickets to the 2026 National Fried Chicken Festival here.
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