The acclaimed Hogs for the Cause festival is an annual celebration of the year-round fundraising. It also happens to be one of the largest barbecue and music festivals in the country, with over 30,000 fans gathering, dancing to 20 bands and eating their way across 90 competing barbecue teams. Over the past decade, the festival has raised millions of dollars and shined a light on Pediatric Brain Cancer.

Pediatric Brain Cancer is the leading terminal cancer in children in the United States. Hogs for the Cause is the premier nationwide funding source for outreach services to these families. The organization aims to empower local communities to help alleviate financial burdens families face while their child battles cancer.

The 2025 lineup includes Stephen Wilson, Jr., Willow Avalon, Eddie 9V, The Thing, Clay Street Unit, Telescreens, Nether Hour, Hotel Burgundy, Charley Crockett, Zach Top, Giovannie & The Hired Guns, JD McPherson, The Droptines, Lola Kirke, John Hollier, Vandoliers, Billy Allen and The Pollies, Britti, The Rumble and River Eckert.

Tickets for the Friday night event start at $50 each, while Saturday tickets start at $70 each. In addition to general admission tickets, other single-day tickets include Friday Judge ($80), Friday Boss Hog VIP ($225), Saturday Judge ($95), and Saturday Boss Hog VIP ($260). Two-day tickets, including “Boss Hog” VIP and “Goin’ Ham” Super VIP options, are also available online at HogsFest.org.

The event takes place April 4-5 at UNO Lakefront Arena. Tickets can be purchased here.

Hogs for the Cause works with both local and national children’s hospitals, including Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, Ochsner Hospital for Children, Duke Children’s Hospital, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Children’s Hospital, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, and Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, to offer monetary relief to families with children who have brain cancer.