EDM is Having a Moment in New Orleans — Here’s the Events You Can’t Miss This Fall
From Dillon Francis and A-Trak to the arrival of We Belong Here, New Orleans is having a major moment for electronic dance music—and the National Fried Chicken Festival is leading the charge.
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For generations, New Orleans has been celebrated as one of the greatest music cities in the world. It’s the birthplace of jazz, home to legendary brass bands, and a destination where live music pours from clubs, street corners, and festival stages nearly every night of the year.
But this fall, another genre is taking center stage.
With internationally renowned DJs Dillon Francis and A-Trak headlining the National Fried Chicken Festival’s 10th Anniversary celebration in October, followed by the debut of We Belong Here New Orleans just weeks later, the Crescent City is quickly becoming one of the South’s most exciting destinations for electronic dance music.
Whether you’re a lifelong EDM fan, someone who’s been following Dillon Francis for years, or simply looking for an unforgettable festival weekend in New Orleans, there’s never been a better time to visit.
New Orleans is Expanding its Musical Legacy
New Orleans has always embraced musical evolution.
From jazz and blues to funk, bounce, hip-hop, indie rock and R&B, every generation has added another layer to the city’s incredible soundtrack. Now, electronic dance music is becoming part of that story.
While cities like Miami, Las Vegas and Austin have long been known as destinations for EDM festivals, New Orleans is beginning to carve out its own place on that map—combining world-class artists with one of the country’s most unique cultural backdrops.
Rather than replacing the city’s rich musical traditions, EDM is simply becoming the newest chapter in a place that’s always celebrated great live music.
The National Fried Chicken Festival Enters the EDM Scene
Celebrating its 10th anniversary October 2–4, 2026, the National Fried Chicken Festival presented by Raising Cane’s is making its biggest entertainment investment in festival history.
For the first time ever, the festival is welcoming major electronic dance music artists to its lineup, transforming one of America’s premier culinary festivals into an even bigger celebration of food, music and culture.
Set against the scenic New Orleans Lakefront, this year’s milestone event features:
- More than 40 restaurants
- Three stages of live entertainment
- National, regional and local artists
- Five unique VIP experiences
- The return of the popular FCF 5K Run/Walk
- Family-friendly entertainment throughout the weekend
Already recognized as the #6 Best Specialty Food Festival in the Nation by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the festival continues to evolve into one of the country’s most unique festival experiences.
And this year, music lovers have even more reason to attend.
Dillon Francis Brings One of Dance Music’s Biggest Names to New Orleans
Saturday night belongs to Dillon Francis.
Few artists have helped shape modern electronic music quite like the Los Angeles-born producer, whose signature blend of moombahton, house, trap and hip-hop has earned him millions of fans around the world.
Known for hits like Get Low, Coming Over, Anywhere, and collaborations with artists including DJ Snake, Martin Garrix, Major Lazer and Calvin Harris, Dillon Francis has become a staple at the world’s biggest music festivals.
His resume includes epic performances at some of the biggest music festivals across the globe:
- Coachella
- Tomorrowland
- Ultra Music Festival
- Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC)
- Lollapalooza
- Electric Zoo
Beyond the music itself, Dillon Francis has built a reputation for bringing an unmatched level of energy and personality to every performance. His shows are equal parts concert, dance party and comedy, making him one of the most entertaining performers in electronic music today.
His appearance at the National Fried Chicken Festival represents one of the most significant entertainment bookings in the festival’s history—and one of the biggest EDM performances New Orleans will host this fall.
Sunday Night Ends with DJ Legend A-Trak
The energy continues Sunday when A-Trak takes the stage.
Long before electronic music became mainstream, A-Trak had already established himself as one of the world’s greatest DJs.
At just 15 years old, he became the youngest winner ever of the prestigious DMC World DJ Championship, launching a career that would eventually include touring alongside Kanye West, founding the influential Fool’s Gold Records, and helping introduce countless artists to the global dance music scene.
He’s also one-half of the acclaimed duo Duck Sauce, whose Grammy-nominated hit “Barbra Streisand” became a worldwide phenomenon.
Known for seamlessly blending house, hip-hop, disco and classic turntablism, A-Trak’s performances appeal to both longtime EDM fans and casual music lovers alike.
Together, Dillon Francis and A-Trak signal an exciting new era for the National Fried Chicken Festival—one that reflects how the festival continues to grow while staying true to its mission of bringing people together through incredible food, unforgettable music and New Orleans culture.
More Than Just a Music Festival
While the addition of two internationally recognized DJs may attract EDM fans, they’ll quickly discover why the National Fried Chicken Festival has become one of the country’s favorite fall festivals.
This year’s event features more than 40 restaurants serving everything from award-winning fried chicken to seafood, vegetarian, vegan and globally inspired cuisine, allowing guests to sample some of the region’s best restaurants in one location.
Add in beautiful waterfront views, immersive sponsor activations, multiple entertainment stages, family programming and VIP experiences, and it’s easy to see why hundreds of thousands of attendees have made the festival an annual tradition over the past decade.
Whether you’re traveling with friends, your family or fellow music fans, there’s something here for everyone.
A Big Fall Ahead for EDM in New Orleans
The excitement doesn’t stop after the National Fried Chicken Festival.
Just weeks later, We Belong Here will make its New Orleans debut, bringing another major electronic music event to the city.
Together, these festivals mark an exciting turning point for New Orleans’ music scene.
For EDM fans, that means there’s finally another compelling reason to plan a fall trip to the Crescent City—one where world-class DJs share the spotlight with award-winning food, iconic culture and one of America’s most vibrant destinations.
Plan Your Ultimate Fall Music Weekend
Whether you’re a local discovering the National Fried Chicken Festival for the first time or planning a trip from across the Gulf South, Fall 2026 is shaping up to be one of the best seasons ever for electronic music in New Orleans.
Come for Dillon Francis.
Stay for A-Trak.
Discover why the National Fried Chicken Festival has become one of America’s favorite food and music festivals.
The National Fried Chicken Festival presented by Raising Cane’s returns October 2–4, 2026, celebrating 10 years of food, music and culture on the New Orleans Lakefront.
