Frequently Asked Questions

October 2027. Make sure you’re subscribed to our mailing list and following us on social for updates and announcements on the next event!

FCF offers a variety of ticket types and price levels to meet the needs of all our guests. We highly recommend purchasing early to take advantage of lower prices and secure your spot while supplies last, especially for our VIP and Beer Garden packages, which have limited daily capacity.

VIP 

Our VIP ticket permits entry to four separate VIP lounges located on-site at each music stage with three (3) alcoholic beverages of your choice which can be redeemed at either VIP lounge or any festival bar, one (1) fried chicken meal provided by an award-winning restaurant from either VIP lounge, luxurious tented lounge space with premiere stage viewing area and seating available first come first served, air-conditioned VIP restroom trailer, share-worthy photo ops, games, and complimentary water throughout the day. Food and drink tabs may be redeemed in any of the VIP areas.

UNACCOMPANIED MINOR VIP

As of last year, FCF is proud to allow children and minors under the age of 21 in dedicated VIP areas. Any guests under the age of 21 will need to purchase an unaccompanied minor ticket, which will grant them access to the two hub zone VIP areas at each main stage.

BEER GARDEN

The Stella Artois Beer Garden experience includes unlimited beer throughout the day in an exclusive lounge area with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis, an air-conditioned VIP restroom trailer, light snacks, and complimentary water throughout the day. All beer must be consumed within the beer garden. 

MUST BE 21+ TO ENTER THE BEER GARDEN. ANYONE UNDER 21+ WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER AND WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND.

GENERAL ADMISSION

For those just looking to get into the festival, GA includes event entry only; all food and beverages are purchased separately.

DISCOUNTED WEEKEND PASSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL TICKET TYPES

Lakefront Arena Festival Grounds, 6801 Franklin Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122

For those wanting to drive and park on-site, there are two parking lots available first-come, first-served: one at the Lakefront Arena and another along Lakeshore Drive. For those parking in the Lakeshore lot, we provide free shuttles running to and from the Lakefront Arena Festival Grounds entrance.

Uber/Lyft Drop-Off is located on Franklin Avenue near the main entrance. We recommend ride-share drivers take Lakeshore Drive to Franklin Avenue to avoid traffic on Leon C. Simon.

Parking Map

Guests will receive an order confirmation email from Universe immediately upon purchase. Digital tickets with scannable QR codes will be emailed separately, 24-48 hours before the event begins.

PLEASE NOTE: All tickets are nonrefundable and cannot be switched to a different day once purchased. If you can no longer attend, you may gift or sell your ticket to someone else (the name on the ticket will not matter as long as they have the QR code)

FCF is 100% CASHLESS. The only acceptable forms of payment include credit cards, debit cards, and/or cash app.

No outside food or drinks will be permitted inside the festival, with the exception of sealed water bottles. Anything else will have to be thrown away at the gate.

APPROVED ITEMS:

  • Foldable chairs – no need to bring your own, we’ll be selling them on-site!
  • Strollers
  • Small, personal hand-held umbrellas
  • Sunscreen in non-aerosol containers up to 3.4 ounces or less
  • Personal-sized hand sanitizer
  • Sealed plastic water bottles or empty reusable water bottles
  • 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 or beverages (with the exception of sealed water bottles)
  • Tents, large umbrellas
  • Wagons
  • Ice chests and coolers of any kind
  • 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.

No pets or animals of any kind will be allowed on festival grounds, with the exception of registered service animals.

The National Fried Chicken Festival brings together an exciting mix of nationally recognized artists, chart-topping performers, and local Louisiana talent across multiple stages. From hip-hop and R&B to electronic dance music, funk, soul, and more, there’s something for every music lover. Over the years, the festival has welcomed major artists including 2 Chainz, Nelly, Keri Hilson, Dillon Francis, Ying Yang Twins, Big Freedia, Lloyd, and many more. 

Of course! The festival has continued to diversify and expand its culinary offerings each year to be as inclusive as possible. From vegan options to vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, and everything in between – there will be something for everyone on the menu.

Please see our Accessibility accommodations here.

Re-entry is not permitted unless rain or severe weather is forecasted on event day.

The festival is rain or shine, so please plan accordingly and pack a small handheld umbrella if rain is forecasted. In the event of rain or bad weather on event day, all attendees will be permitted to leave and re-enter the festival at a later time.

As stated in our Terms & Conditions upon purchase, all sales are final and non-refundable. However, due to this year’s weather-related rescheduling, we will honor all refund requests from previously purchased ticket holders who can no longer attend on the new date. Please email all relevant ticket confirmation info to [email protected].