National Fried Chicken Festival
Food and entertainment converge at the UNO Lakefront Arena Festival Grounds from October 9 to 11 as the National Fried Chicken Festival returns for its 10th year. The festival was originally slated for October 2 to 4 but had to be postponed due to weather.
The festival kicks it up a notch as it celebrates its 10th anniversary by adding a third day, upgrading its music lineup with bigger names, showcasing a new focus on entertainment, and offering a new elevated dining experience the day before the festival.
Locals Day Celebrates Louisiana Music
The National Fried Chicken Festival will kick off its 10th-anniversary weekend with Locals Day presented by Delta Utilities on Friday. Festival gates will be open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., with an all-Louisiana music lineup across two stages before national headliners take the stage Saturday and Sunday.
Louisiana singer-songwriter Marc Broussard will lead Friday's lineup with his blend of R&B, rock, and soul. New Orleans trumpeter and vocalist Shamarr Allen will also perform with Shamarr Allen's Ratchet Jazz, which brings together jazz, brass, bounce, and other sounds from New Orleans.
The Locals Day lineup will also feature DJ Jess, ANTWIGADEE!, Mikey Offline, and the Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong Jazz Camp Ensemble. The opening day will highlight Louisiana music and culture before the festival's national lineup takes over for the remainder of the weekend.
The First Course
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the National Fried Chicken Festival will be debuting The First Course, a chicken-and-champagne-themed dining experience, on Thursday, October 1. The dinner will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the New Orleans Lakefront Arena Festival Grounds and will feature a four-course chef-crafted dinner.
The dinner will feature four celebrated local chefs: Vlad Kogan, executive chef of The Windsor Court; Allison Birdsall, executive chef of Rosedale; Edgar "Dook" Chase IV, executive chef of Dooky Chase's Restaurant; and Jeremy Fogg, pastry chef and executive chef of French Truck Coffee. In addition to the food, the event will feature champagne pairings by Moët and Veuve Clicquot, as well as an open bar, live music, dancing, and a sneak peek of the festival grounds.
Tickets for the dinner are available here.
Fried Chicken Festival 2026 Music Lineup
Following Friday's celebration of Louisiana talent, the National Fried Chicken Festival is going national with its music lineup for the rest of the weekend, inviting some of the biggest names in hip hop and EDM to take the stage.
Nelly, known for hits "Hot in Here" and "Country Grammar," takes the top headliner spot while Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz, known for "No Lie" and "I'm Different," joins him as a second headliner.
Dillon Francis changes up the vibe as the hitmaker who has collaborated with Major Lazer, Skrillex, and Calvin Harris and who will bring EDM to Fried Chicken Festival. A-Trak adds to the electronic scene as well, bringing his World Champion turntable abilities to the main stage.
Millennials will have a chance to relive their glory while Keri Hilson and the Ying Yang Twins bring their hits.
The festival will also welcome Baton Rouge's Webbie and New Orleans' Big Freedia, who will team up with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra once again for a unique performance.
Fried Chicken Festival 5K Fun Run/Walk Returns
The Fried Chicken Festival is planning on bringing back its 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kids Fun Run after an overwhelming turnout at last year's inaugural event.
The 5K was originally slated to kick off on Saturday, October 3 at 8:30 a.m. at Lakeshore Drive and Franklin Avenue right outside the festival gates. The 1 Mile Kids Fun Run would have followed at 10 a.m.
Registration options are available for single runners, groups, and teams. The team with the most participants will be awarded a $1000 prize.
Single runners can choose between registration with festival admission or registration for the race only. Student registration and registration for the 1 Mile Kids Fun Run are also available, while groups of five or more can receive a $5 discount per racer.
More Than 40 Fried Chicken Vendors
Fried chicken is still the main course at the festival, which will bring together more than 40 restaurants and food vendors. This year's lineup includes Nice Guys NOLA, Sun Chong, Gus's Fried Chicken, Magasin Vietnamese Cafe, Thai NOLA, and many more vendors serving their own takes on fried chicken.
Nice Guys NOLA will offer fried chicken fried rice, a chicken cornbread cupcake, and chicken and waffle sandwiches available plain, praline, or Buffalo-style. Sun Chong will serve Neno fried chicken, while Magasin Vietnamese Cafe will have Saigon caramel wings with garlic fried rice and a Hong Kong sticky chicken po-boy with slaw.
Festival-goers can also try Thai NOLA's Thai French Quarter leg quarter with gumbo fried rice, Bonafried's selection of fried chicken sandwiches, and Biscuits & Buns' hot honey fried chicken biscuit and UBE Outside's sweet heat ube chicken and waffle. Bao Mi will bring Korean flavors to the festival with Korean fried chicken bao and hot honey lemon pepper wings.
The food lineup goes beyond traditional fried chicken as well. Ajun Cajun will serve a sambal teriyaki chicken po-boy, Boilin' Kings will offer fried chicken with Cajun pastalaya and loaded chicken fries, and other vendors will serve seafood, vegetarian, vegan, and dessert options throughout the weekend.
Visit friedchickenfestival.com to see the full list of participating vendors.
Fried Chicken Festival 2026 Tickets and Pricing
Using its newly added third day, the National Fried Chicken Festival will include Locals Day on Friday with discounted ticket options for festival-goers.
Saturday and Sunday single-day tickets and weekend passes are also available, with both general admission and VIP options. Ticket prices increase by tier and are subject to availability, so festival-goers should check the festival's website for current pricing before purchasing.
Attendees can also choose from additional ticket upgrades and experiences available throughout the weekend.
Kids under 12 receive free general admission with a ticketed adult, with additional youth ticket options available.
The National Fried Chicken Festival will take place October 9-11 at the UNO Lakefront Arena Festival Grounds, 6801 Franklin Ave. Visit friedchickenfestival.com for tickets, the complete music schedule, food lineup, and more information.
