Event Calendar

EVENT DETAILS:

Southwest LA Zydeco Music Festival

Event Dates: September 1st-2nd, 2023

Opelousas is the Zydeco Music Capital of the World and home to one of the biggest zydeco music celebrations, the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival. In 1981, there was a real fear that Creole and zydeco music was dying out. To combat this, a group of concerned citizens organized the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival. Today, the event features the best performers in zydeco. Swamp-pop, swing, R&B, and southern soul enjoyers will also have a great time. It’s the perfect event to dance to your favorite zydeco musicians.

This annual event has honored zydeco music fans with a Bloody Mary Zydeco Breakfast and a day-long lineup of South Louisiana’s trending zydeco musicians. It’s the perfect event to dance to your favorite zydeco musicians. You can also grab authentic plate lunches and Creole cuisine.

Usually held the Saturday before Labor Day in Opelousas, these past two years the festival has been broadcast on www.zydeco.org and on multiple TV stations. This year, it’s back in person and better than ever.

On Friday, there will be a kick-off dance at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino with Lil Nate & the Zydeco Roadrunners at 9pm. Then on Saturday, the main event begins. Gates open at 11am, but the music starts at 12pm with performances by Grammy Winner “Chubby Carrier” & the Bayou Swamp Band, Nathan Williams & the Zydeco Cha Cha’s, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Jeremy Fruge & the Zydeco Hot Boyz, Rusty Metoyer & the Zydeco Krush, Chris Ardoin & NuStep Zydeco.

On Saturday, admission is $25 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. No coolers allowed. RV Parking is $10/day (no electricity). No glass containers. No BBQ pits. No open flame burners.