• All roads lead to Opelousas, its Zydeco Country

    Celebrate the oldest Zydeco Festival in the Zydeco Capital of the World, Opelousas, Louisiana.

    Taking you to the heart and roots of where Zydeco music originated.

  • 36th Annual
    The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival

    Tout le Chemn Menn a’ Opelousas -- all roads lead to Opelousas!

    Once again it is Zydeco Season, a time to celebrate and experience Creole culture, zydeco music and the land. Make your plans to come to The Original in the Zydeco Capital of the World, Opelousas, and the Annual Original SWLA Zydeco Music Festival where it all began.

    Celebrating our 36 th Annual the event showcases the best in zydeco music, featuring seven leading musical artists. This year, the festival pays tribute to The Best in Traditional Zydeco Bands. Feature Artist “Grammy Winner” Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band; Others are Lil Nate and Zydeco Big Timers; Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Nathan Williams & Zydeco Cha Cha’s and many others. The event takes place on Labor Day weekend, First Friday Night August 31, 2018 Kick-Off Dance Evangeline Downs, Mike Broussard & NU Edition Zydeco 9:00pm – Until; then Saturday, September 1, 2018 at Zydeco / Yambilee Festival Grounds Highway 190, (1939 W. Landry, Opelousas). We start the day at 8:30A.M. To 12:00 O’clock Midnight—or until we’re done! Come enjoy the Big Zydeco Parade, arts and crafts and great food—and bring the whole family! The Zydeco Festival is also a wonderful place to have a family reunion.

    If you want to start your day early—Big Zydeco Parade passes through Downtown Opelousas, to the Zydeco Breakfast at the Courthouse Square featuring - Koray Broussard and Cupid from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Then all roads lead to Yambilee Festival Grounds (1939 W. Landry Street where you’ll be warmed up for the SWLA Zydeco Music Festival! More information at cityofopelousas.com.

    Festival rules, no ice chests, no glass containers, no BBQ pits, and no open flame burners are allowed. For more information: (337)290-6048, www.zydeco.org or LouisianaTravel.com. This event is sponsored by Southern Development Foundation, Lafayette Convention & Visitors Center and Evangeline Downs.

    Admission: Gate tickets $15, 12 years and under $5,

    Se Peyi de Zydeco—it’s Zydeco Country!