The 42nd Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival will take place on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at the Yambilee Festival Grounds in Opelousas, celebrating the Theme: “Pa Kase,” Leritage de Zarko — “Unbroken,” The Legacy of Zydeco. This year’s festival will honor the rich traditions of Creole culture and Zydeco music, offering attendees a lineup of acclaimed musicians, traditional food, and cultural activities.
The festival will feature a headline performance by Grammy nominee C.J. Chenier & The Red-Hot Louisiana Band, who will bring their high-energy Zydeco sound to the stage. Other performers include Grammy winner Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, and special guest Chris Ardoin & NuStep Zydeco. The festival’s extensive lineup also includes LeRoy Thomas & Zydeco Road Runners, Grammy nominee Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, NUZO Zydeco, Jeremy Fruge & The Zydeco Hot Boyz, and Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Krush.
The Zydeco Festival has been a staple of Creole culture since its inception in 1982, when a group of concerned citizens, known as the Treasures of Opelousas, organized the first event to preserve and promote Zydeco (La La) music. Forty-two years later, the festival continues to be a vibrant celebration of Creole traditions, offering a platform for local and national artists to share their music.
The festival activities kick off with a series of events leading up to the main celebration:
THURSDAY AUGUST 8, 2024: PRE-PARTY- Join us for a pre-party for 42nd Annual – Media Day-at the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center. With refreshments, music and celebration, “Big Opening of 2024 Zydeco Season.” The event takes place from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Opelousas Museum, 315 N Main St, Opelousas, LA 70570.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2024: KICKOFF DANCE – We will get this party started the night before at Evangeline Downs at 9 p.m. with the explosive Mike Broussard & Nu’ Edition, and Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames. Also featuring DJ Carl T with Down South Radio. Located at 2235 Creswell Lane Extension, Opelousas, LA 70570
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2024: ZYDECO PARADE – At Landry and Wallior Street, the ZYDECO PARADE The Zydeco parade lines up at 8:30 a.m. with scores of zydeco fans, businesses, social clubs, dance groups, trail riders. The colorful group rolls out at 10 a.m., passing by the Zydeco Breakfast Court House Square on Landry Street, as they head towards the Zydeco Festival Grounds.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2024: ZYDECO BREAKFAST- Join us for the annual Zydeco Breakfast in downtown Opelousas. From 9-11 am, under the oak trees on the Courthouse Square, you can listen to the foot tapping music, (TBA). Sponsored by City of Opelousas Tourism, Melanie LeBeouf. Local downtown eateries will feature an assortment of breakfast items for sale. Opelousas Tourism, with support from Opelousas Main Street, Inc., the City of Opelousas, and St. Landry Parish Government, hosts the free event each year to get people excited about the Labor Day festival music and activities, as well as to bring awareness of the downtown district.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2024: THE ORIGINAL SOUTHWEST ZYDECO FESTIVAL – This year’s celebration takes place on the Yambilee Festival Grounds beginning at 12 noon and winding down in the wee hours of the night. Gather your friends and family for a full day and night of music, traditional Creole food by vendors and food trucks, and arts and crafts. Enjoy the Best of Creole Culture and Music. Bring your lawn chairs and plan to stay for all events, “I promise you will have a BON TON.”
For more information about the 42nd Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival, visit zydeco.org or follow on Facebook at SWLA Zydeco Music Festival.
