Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the top things to know about the festival?

    Please read all FAQs for more detailed information.

    In honor of our 10th anniversary, this year’s festival is expanding to THREE days (Fri • Sat • Sun)

      • The festival will be open from 3-9 PM on Friday, and 11 AM – 9 PM on Saturday & Sunday.
        • Gates close an hour before the festival ends each day.
      • Guests can expect similar 2025 ticket prices on Friday, while Saturday/Sunday prices will increase due to the caliber of entertainment on those days.
      • Discounted early bird tickets go on sale June 16. Please note the following price increase schedule and be sure to purchase yours before they go up!
        • Early Bird: June 16 – July 6 *through National Fried Chicken Day or while supplies last*
        • Advance 1: July 7 – August 12 *or while supplies last*
        • Advance 2: August 13 – October 1 *or while supplies last*
        • On-Site / Weekend Of: October 2 – 4
      • Tickets may be purchased online in advance or at the gate.
      • Advance tickets will be sent via email from Universe 2 days before the event.
      • Tickets are nonrefundable and cannot be switched to a different day once purchased.
      • Children 12 and under get in free and do not need a ticket for GA access.
        • All kids must be with a ticketed adult. No more than two kids per ticketed adult.
      • For VIP access, all children or minors under the age of 21 will need to purchase an Unaccompanied Minor VIP ticket.
      • This festival is cashless. No cash of any kind will be accepted.
      • Parking is available at the UNO Lakefront Arena and along Lakeshore Drive for only $10.
        • New this year, you can now skip the hassle of paying on-site and pre-purchase parking as an add-on to any ticket.
      • No outside food or drink is permitted – with the exception of sealed water bottles.
      • VIP access is only for the selected package on each ticket.
      • VIP ticketholders receive entry to four total lounge areas (21+ Casamigos & Crown Royal Lounges and two all-ages VIP Hub Clubs) located near the music stages.
      • Beer Garden ticketholders receive entry to the Beer Garden area only.
      • Folding, festival-style chairs are permitted and can be purchased at our merchandise tent.
      • The festival is rain or shine, so please plan accordingly.
      • Rideshare drop-off/pick-up is located at the Lakeshore Drive entrance.

  • When is the next festival?

    The 10th-anniversary edition of the National Fried Chicken Festival (FCF) presented by Raising Cane’s will be held the first weekend of October 2026–Friday, Oct. 2, Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4



  • Where is the festival located?

    FCF is held at the scenic New Orleans Lakefront along Lakeshore Drive at Franklin Avenue (in the greenspace directly behind the UNO Lakefront Arena located at 6801 Franklin Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122

    *see directions here*

  • What’s included in each of the different ticket options?

    Early bird tickets for FCF 2026 go on sale Tuesday, June 16. We highly recommend purchasing tickets early, as all ticket types increase incrementally as the event gets closer. However, tickets will still be available for purchase at the gate, subject to availability.

    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 and enjoy all the delicious food and drinks available for purchase on-site, general admission tickets will start as low as $10 on Friday and $30 on Saturday & Sunday for Early Bird purchasers. GA includes event entry only; all food and beverages are purchased separately.

    DISCOUNTED WEEKEND PASSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL TICKET TYPES

  • I just bought my ticket. When will my digital tickets be emailed to me?

    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)



  • What methods of payment will be accepted at the festival?

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



  • Can I bring my own food or drinks?

    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.

  • What can I bring to the festival?

    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

  • What is not allowed inside the festival?

    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.

  • Can I bring my pet to the festival?

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

  • Will there be anything to eat besides chicken?

    Of course! FCF 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.

  • What kind of music can I expect to hear at the festival?

    FCF is well-known for its music lineups, but we’re going MUCH bigger for year 10! Guests can enjoy local Louisiana favorites on Friday, followed by major national recording artists on both Saturday and Sunday. With non-stop programming across all genres and three stages throughout the weekend, we’ll have something for everyone to enjoy.

  • What ADA and accessibility accommodations are available?

    Please see our Accessibility accommodations here.

  • Does my ticket allow re-entry to the festival in the event I want to leave and come back?

    The festival only allows re-entry in the event of severe weather or for participants in the 5K on Saturday. All other ticket holders will not be allowed back in once they exit the gates.

  • What is the rain policy?

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

    As a reminder, re-entry will NOT be permitted in good weather conditions.

  • Are tickets refundable?

    As stated in our Terms & Conditions upon purchase, all sales are final and non-refundable.