What began as a concert in 1974 has become the world’s largest Cajun and Zydeco free three-day music festival, held in Lafayette, LA, the heart of French-speaking Louisiana. On its stages and dusty festival dance grounds, generations of Cajuns and Creoles, along with thousands of visitors, come together every year to honor a thriving culture that is uniquely their own.
This year, the opening night of Festivals Acadiens et Créoles is extra special. The programmers have a legendary lineup that will honor the festival's past and future by replicating the very first concert held in 1974, with performances by some of the original musicians as well as next-gen musicians.
Opening night of Festivals Acadiens et Créoles pays tribute to the first concert held in 1974:
- Inez Catalan and Marcus Landry, performed by David Greely and Megan Constantin
- Dennis McGee and Sady Courville, performed by Joel Savoy and Linzee Young
- Varise Conner and Lionel Leleux performed by David Greely and Beau Thomas
- Marc Savoy performed by Marc Savoy and family
- Ardoin Family, performed by Dexter Ardoin and Cedric Watson
- Balfa Brothers, performed by Christine Balfa and Peter Schwarz
- Clifton Chenier, performed by CJ Chenier
- Nathan Abshire, performed by Robert Jardell
- Blackie Forrester, performed by Donnie Broussard and Sheryl Cormier
- Jimmy C Newman, performed by Gary Newman
“We continually strive to present the current state of the culture through musical performances that can range from thoughtful preservation to daring innovation, from the oldest ballads to the latest in experimental Cajun music and Zydeco, from traditional gumbos to crawfish eggrolls, from historical wooden boats to innovative multi-media folk art,” says Barry Jean Ancelet, Original Co-Founder and Folklorist. “The Cajun and Creole musicians, cooks and craftsmen who participate in this annual event continue to invest themselves in what they most rightly consider their festival, a self-celebration of Cajun and Creole culture.”
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, a free event held October 11-13 in Girard Park in Lafayette, LA. Festivals Acadiens et Créoles serves as a vibrant canvas reflecting the pulse of contemporary culture, showcasing music, food and crafts that span from expertly revived classics to pioneering explorations of tomorrow.
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About Festivals Acadiens et Créoles: Festivals Acadiens et Créoles takes place every year in Lafayette, LA, at the heart of French-speaking Louisiana, also known as Acadiana, where the rich cultures of Cajun and Creole continue to flourish. The festival has hosted performances by musical icons and Grammy honorees such as Clifton Chenier, Chubby Carrier, Sonny Landreth, Cedric Watson, and Pine Leaf Boys.
Since its inaugural event in 1974, the three-day festival has become the original and world’s largest Cajun and Zydeco festival, attracting visitors from across the globe. Festivals Acadiens et Créoles features performances by local musicians, cultural workshops, and local cuisine, providing an immersive and authentic experience of the region’s rich Cajun and Creole heritage.
2024 will mark Festivals Acadiens et Créoles’ 50th anniversary and is presented by LUS Fiber. For more information, visit FestivalsAcadiens.com.
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