Finger Lickin' Fun
In a city that will find a reason to celebrate just about anything, the National Fried Chicken Festival in New Orleans is an annual event that is not to be missed.
Founded in 2016, this unique event evolved from the simple idea of bringing people together through the love of food, music, and culture. This year, the Fried Chicken Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a three-day celebration beginning Friday, October 2, and running through Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the New Orleans Lakefront.
Each year, this fun-filled outdoor event brings thousands of people together from across the nation to celebrate one of America's favorite foods—fried chicken. The Fried Chicken Festival, which was originally held at Woldenberg Riverfront Park, moved to its scenic new location along the lakefront in 2022. The additional space provided an opportunity for the festival to expand and add more restaurants, vendors, music stages, and family-focused activities for its guests to enjoy.
While it may seem surprising that an entire festival could be dedicated to one of the world's favorite comfort foods, fried chicken's popularity only continues to grow every year, fueled in part by the global expansion of the fried chicken fast-food industry. Nearly every region has its own unique take on the dish: Korean fried chicken, Japanese karaage, Nashville hot chicken, and classic Southern fried chicken. The widespread appeal is so strong that, in the United States, July 6 is officially recognized as National Fried Chicken Day, giving foodies another reason to celebrate this crispy, flavorful favorite.
Since 2016, the Fried Chicken Festival has welcomed over 500,000 guests, served over 2.4 million pounds of chicken, and provided an economic impact of over $10 million to the area. In 2024, the Fried Chicken Festival was named the 6th Best Specialty Food Festival in America in USA Today's 10 Best Reader's Choice Award.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, this year's Fried Chicken Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, featuring the best of the best, with over 40 participating restaurants and celebrity chefs showcasing their unique takes on fried chicken for a chance to win this year's title of "Best Fried Chicken." Past winners have included Red Bird Fried Chicken, Bao Mi, Bonafried, Southern's, Josephine's Kitchen, The NOLA Chuck Wagon, Chicken's Kitchen, and Gus's World-Famous Fried Chicken.
In addition to indulging in all the fried chicken they can eat, guests will also be able to enjoy three different stages of live entertainment, a car show, a kids' zone, a merchant marketplace featuring products from local crafters and retailers, VIP lounges, and much more. Some of the items that will be available for purchase from local artists and entrepreneurs include artwork, bath and beauty products, jewelry, candles, ceramics, home goods, clothing, and children's items.
For those who are looking to enjoy some non-poultry culinary delights, there will also be vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, and gluten-free menu options available for purchase, as well.
This year's festival will have several unique VIP experiences available for purchase for festivalgoers, including four VIP lounges with complimentary beverages, chicken dinners, premium viewing areas, and seating, as well as the Stella Artois Beer Garden, which offers lush lounge space and unlimited pours.
There will also be multiple stages with all-day live entertainment from both local and national artists, as well as the Heinz "Food is Culture" Stage, which will feature cooking demonstrations, panel discussions, and more with national celebrity chefs and culinary industry leaders.
Due to the success of last year's inaugural 5K run/walk, the race is back this year on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with a 5K for runners and walkers, as well as a kids' 1-mile fun run for children under the age of 12. The first-place finishers in each category will receive a $250 cash prize. All registered participants will receive a Fried Chicken Festival T-shirt and finishers' medal.
For those who are visiting New Orleans from out of town and plan on attending the Fried Chicken Festival, the festival has special rates available for overnight stays through the New Orleans Marriott and Sheraton New Orleans Hotels. When guests book through this special promotion, they can save 15% on the best available rates and will also receive two single-day general admission tickets for the festival. This exclusive discounted deal is available for stays booked from Tuesday, September 29 through Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
Guests can book online at marriott.com/offers/national-fried-chicken-festival-off-226184 using the promo code LPR.
The music lineup for the 10th Annual Fried Chicken Festival will include Nelly, 2 Chainz, Dillon Francis, Ying Yang Twins, A-Trak, Keri Hilson, Webbie, Big Freedia with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and more. Past festivals have featured some incredible performances by Blanco Brown, Better Than Ezra, Cupid, Choppa, Rockin' Dopsie, Shamarr Allen, Amanda Shaw, Kermit Ruffins, Mannie Fresh, and many other talented top artists and bands from around the area.
The National Fried Chicken Festival is presented by Raising Cane's and produced by Festivals for Good, a Louisiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to spreading the economic impact of live events.
General admission single-day, weekend passes, beer garden, and VIP tickets are available and on sale now. For more details and to purchase tickets, please visit friedchickenfestival.com.
