Frequently Asked Questions
The 2023 festival is returning to its new home on the scenic New Orleans Lakefront along Lakeshore Drive at Franklin Ave.
If you’ve made it to the UNO Lakefront Arena, you’ve made it to the festival!
6801 Franklin Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122 (Directions)
EVENT PARKING
- Available first come, first serve at the UNO Lakefront Area (6801 Franklin Ave.)
SHUTTLE LOCATION
- Pick-up/Drop-off from the UNO Student Union Lot
RIDESHARE DROP/PICKUP
- Pick-up/drop-off near East Entrance on Lakeshore Drive between the Seabrook Bridge and Shelter 4 (16160 Lakeshore Dr.)
- SINGLE-DAY GENERAL ADMISSION: $15 when purchased in advance and $20 on-site.
- TWO-DAY GENERAL ADMISSION: $25 when purchased in advance and $30 on-site.
- Chicken and Bubbles VIP Lounge: $120 when purchased in advance and $130 on-site.
- Royalty VIP Lounge: $100 when purchased in advance and $110 on-site.
Please note: children 12 and under will receive free admission.
See additional ticket information/pricing here.
Tickets for this year’s festival can be purchased in advance online through our website or on-site the day of the festival.
Click here to get tickets.
The National Fried Chicken Festival will take place on Saturday, September 30, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, October 1, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the New Orleans Lakefront.
Yes! FCF 2023 will feature its largest and most diverse food lineup with over 50 participating restaurants from 13 states offering vegan options, vegetarian options, gluten-free options, and more. We promise you won’t go hungry.
See restaurants and sample menu items here.
FCF 2023 will feature a wide variety of acts and some of the nation’s top talent across three stages of entertainment with two dedicated music stages, and the new HEINZ® “Food is Culture” Stage featuring celebrity chefs and culinary thought leaders. Music headliners for this year include Flow Tribe, The Soul Rebels, Kermit Ruffins, Big Freedia, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Shamarr Allen, and a special 50 Years of Hip Hop New Orleans performance presented by Chip Forstall with legendary New Orleans artists like DJ Jubilee, Mannie Fresh, Choppa, PNC, Hot Boy Ronald, Raj Smoove, and more.
See the full entertainment lineup and schedule here.
General Admission tickets only gain entry into the festival. Once inside, all food and beverages will be purchased separately.
Those with VIP tickets will enjoy a complimentary fried chicken meal and beverage options as part of their ticket package.
APPROVED ITEMS:
- Foldable chairs
- Sunscreen in non-aerosol containers up to 3.4 ounces or less
- Personal sized hand sanitizer
- Picnic blankets
- Cameras/video cameras: consumer-grade point-and-shoot, polaroid, Go Pros without detachable lenses and other accessories (monopods, selfie sticks, tripods, Go Pro mounts and other attachments are not allowed)
- Handbags
- Binoculars
- Factory-sealed eye drop containers
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Outside food and drink
- Tents, large umbrellas
- Ice chests
- Weapons of any kind, including firearms, pocket knives, box cutters, pepper spray (or any dangerous chemical compound), box cutters, sharp objects
- Illegal substances
- Drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Massagers
- Pets (with the exception of service animals)
- Professional photo, video, or audio recording equipment (no detachable lenses, tripods, big zooms, selfie sticks, or commercial-use rigs unless pre-approved media guest)
- Laser pointers
- Air horns, megaphones, whistles or noisemakers
- Drones, remote-controlled aircraft, or toys
- Toy guns, water guns, slingshots
- Projectiles such as balls or frisbees
- Any explosives, including fireworks
All bags will be checked upon entering the event.
Festival attendees can receive a discounted rate for stays between September 27, 2023 – October 02, 2023, at the New Orleans Marriott located at 555 Canal Street. Book your stay via this link.
Please see our Accessibility accommodations here.
Only VIP ticket holders will be permitted re-entry to the festival.