Excited to see newcomers. My opinion for what to do.
Parking: Take the shuttle/uber, especially if you're drinking. The shuttle ferries people back and forth from Cajun Field, on Congress. If you ARE drinking, please buy drinks from official Festival vendors and downtown locations. AKA don't bring a cooler. (They're prohibited anyway) Buying drinks supports the festival.
Best days: Friday night, Saturday alllllllll day babaaaay! Sunday is great too. Do yourself a favor and download the festival app on your phone. It'll have a map and a schedule, which is a great way to find out where and when to be places. Thursday is usually a more chill night, BUT this year Lauren Daigle is playing at the main stage at 9:30, so it'll be a bit busier.
Food/Drink: Bring your appetite. They have tons of incredible food. Try a little bit of everything. Bring cash if you want, but for the most part, you're going to use a reloadable wristbands for food and drink. The drinks from the festival tents are fantastic, but the cocktails from Pamplona are phenomenal. That personal preference. The row of food in Parc San Souci is usually a good place to find great eats. (BIAS HERE) But the best ramen in Lafayette is being served at Bolt on Saturday. They're only doing about 100 bowls or so, but it's worth it to go around lunch time.
Shopping: I'm fairly confident most of the art vendors take cards, but bring some cash just in case. Someone might have to chime in to correct me on this one. I'm not sure if all art vendors take cash or even take the reloadable wristbands.
Music: Okay, so here's the thing. For the most part, the music is going to be great no matter what stage you visit. I'll be 100% honest. I'm usually pretty tipsy and forget the names of my favorite bands that I see. Tank & the Bangas is always good. Cedric Watson is great zydeco. Overall, just walk around and follow your ears. If anyone wants to chime in and list some of their favs, it'll be helpful. Remember, this is a Francophone centered festival. Lots of French influence.
Wear comfy shoes! You're pretty much exclusively walking on concrete, so take care ya lil feet. Bring sunscreen if you're pale as hell like me lol. Any more questions, just ask here. I'll answer.
They have changed the wristband system this year. You no longer need to reload or top-off the wristbands. It’s now going to be linked to your bank account and used like a debit card. The wristbands will be able to be used for food, drinks and festival merch.
You also have the option to load the wristbands with cash at the wristband stations, you'd just have to add funds as needed, though I haven't seen information on retrieving unused funds.
100% tie a credit card and not a debit card either. Easier to fight a fraudulent credit card transaction and not pay it than get money taken from your checking that you need to get reimbursed for.
This! Just as a side, the wrist bands only work at FIL booths, any other business there with their own booth will accept cash/card. The FIL merchandise booths(not drinks or food) can also accept cash or card, but if you plan on staying awhile and exploring the festival grounds it may be easier to just get a wrist band especially since you don't have to top up this year.
I don't know if it's different this year, but every year in past the only merchandise booth you can pay card for is the main one on the corner of Jefferson and Main St.! And it's only one line for card/cash, so I highly recommend you just using the band and getting it set up before going! It'll be much easier and quicker! Also pro tip, if you want to buy any merchandise, buy it sooner than later we run out of stock and sizes!! *Source: I volunteer every year for the merchandise booth.
Essentials: tissue/wet wipes, hand sanitizer, water bottle, cash, comfy shoes \[concrete all day and one of the markets (my personal fav by the courthouse) is on gravel\].
I agree with people saying to uber or take the shuttle because parking can be a bitch, and if you drink, you can do so safely. Also, make sure to try the crawfish or spinach bread bowls. The lines are usually long, but it is WORTH IT. Pamplonas sells their famous sangria too, which is always on my list.
I think they have the festival app so you can check the maps and line up too. Mainly, just walk around, explore, take in all the varieties of music, check out the vendors and enjoy yourself!!!!!!
Download the Festival app for the music schedule but really just wander around. All the music is great. The Beirgarten stage will always have Louisiana music. If you ever get overwhelmed by the crowds you can shimmy over to a side street away from Jefferson and the other main routes. Take it all in baby. It's only once a year.
Only thing I'll add is that you may want to bring some cash for the market as well. There's a gravel parking lot next to the courthouse that is taken over by a big bazaar type market with various hand-made curios - jewelry, clothing, body butter, wooden sculptures, etc. I'll admit it's rarely my type of thing, but I still walk through it every year lol. You're going to have a fantastic time!
I need someone to DD for me. Soooo… any takers? Friday night will be the most poppin night. Bring water, stay hydrated. If you come during the daytime I cannot stress enough how important sunscreen and water is. Try to leave before 1130 on Friday or Saturday bc there’s always some dumb shit shooting and or drama happening late at night on the weekend of festival. Bring cash, check out the local vendors. Be safe!
Yeah I plan on getting out early. Won’t be drinkin tho, my first year not drinking lol. Edibles for me. I’m going early and as soon as they wear off I’m outta there. 😅
I love FIL so much we were married during Festival-that was our reception! I second all the great advice here and will recommend that you see Angelique Kidjo Friday evening!
Do not miss **Deano & Jo**, performing on the "busking" stage set up by *SOLA Violins* and *Louisiana Folk Roots*, at the corner of Vermilion and Jefferson on Sunday afternoon at 1:00. Acoustic Americana duo.
A couple highlights this year (IMHO):
Angelique Kidjo
ADG7
Tank & the Bangas
RAM
Las Cafeteras
The Wailers
Dub, Inc.
And something Daigle?
https://www.festivalinternational.org/schedule#/2023-04-26
Please consider checking out the festivalinternational sub
https://www.reddit.com/r/FestivalInternational/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1
Checkout the Festival International De Louisiane subreddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/FestivalInternational/
Take the shuttle, bring a chair, and a water bottle, buy a pin, love your festival
Ha do not bring a chair unless you have physical issues. Otherwise good advice. Figure out the wristband thing. Drink a Festival Punch.
Excited to see newcomers. My opinion for what to do. Parking: Take the shuttle/uber, especially if you're drinking. The shuttle ferries people back and forth from Cajun Field, on Congress. If you ARE drinking, please buy drinks from official Festival vendors and downtown locations. AKA don't bring a cooler. (They're prohibited anyway) Buying drinks supports the festival. Best days: Friday night, Saturday alllllllll day babaaaay! Sunday is great too. Do yourself a favor and download the festival app on your phone. It'll have a map and a schedule, which is a great way to find out where and when to be places. Thursday is usually a more chill night, BUT this year Lauren Daigle is playing at the main stage at 9:30, so it'll be a bit busier. Food/Drink: Bring your appetite. They have tons of incredible food. Try a little bit of everything. Bring cash if you want, but for the most part, you're going to use a reloadable wristbands for food and drink. The drinks from the festival tents are fantastic, but the cocktails from Pamplona are phenomenal. That personal preference. The row of food in Parc San Souci is usually a good place to find great eats. (BIAS HERE) But the best ramen in Lafayette is being served at Bolt on Saturday. They're only doing about 100 bowls or so, but it's worth it to go around lunch time. Shopping: I'm fairly confident most of the art vendors take cards, but bring some cash just in case. Someone might have to chime in to correct me on this one. I'm not sure if all art vendors take cash or even take the reloadable wristbands. Music: Okay, so here's the thing. For the most part, the music is going to be great no matter what stage you visit. I'll be 100% honest. I'm usually pretty tipsy and forget the names of my favorite bands that I see. Tank & the Bangas is always good. Cedric Watson is great zydeco. Overall, just walk around and follow your ears. If anyone wants to chime in and list some of their favs, it'll be helpful. Remember, this is a Francophone centered festival. Lots of French influence. Wear comfy shoes! You're pretty much exclusively walking on concrete, so take care ya lil feet. Bring sunscreen if you're pale as hell like me lol. Any more questions, just ask here. I'll answer.
They have changed the wristband system this year. You no longer need to reload or top-off the wristbands. It’s now going to be linked to your bank account and used like a debit card. The wristbands will be able to be used for food, drinks and festival merch.
You also have the option to load the wristbands with cash at the wristband stations, you'd just have to add funds as needed, though I haven't seen information on retrieving unused funds.
Just my 2 cents. I would not tie my bank account to this.
100% tie a credit card and not a debit card either. Easier to fight a fraudulent credit card transaction and not pay it than get money taken from your checking that you need to get reimbursed for.
Don't pay for anything with a debit card. Get AMEX if you can, they pretty much side with you on all disputes.
You sho right about dat.
This! Just as a side, the wrist bands only work at FIL booths, any other business there with their own booth will accept cash/card. The FIL merchandise booths(not drinks or food) can also accept cash or card, but if you plan on staying awhile and exploring the festival grounds it may be easier to just get a wrist band especially since you don't have to top up this year.
I don't know if it's different this year, but every year in past the only merchandise booth you can pay card for is the main one on the corner of Jefferson and Main St.! And it's only one line for card/cash, so I highly recommend you just using the band and getting it set up before going! It'll be much easier and quicker! Also pro tip, if you want to buy any merchandise, buy it sooner than later we run out of stock and sizes!! *Source: I volunteer every year for the merchandise booth.
Essentials: tissue/wet wipes, hand sanitizer, water bottle, cash, comfy shoes \[concrete all day and one of the markets (my personal fav by the courthouse) is on gravel\]. I agree with people saying to uber or take the shuttle because parking can be a bitch, and if you drink, you can do so safely. Also, make sure to try the crawfish or spinach bread bowls. The lines are usually long, but it is WORTH IT. Pamplonas sells their famous sangria too, which is always on my list. I think they have the festival app so you can check the maps and line up too. Mainly, just walk around, explore, take in all the varieties of music, check out the vendors and enjoy yourself!!!!!!
Download the Festival app for the music schedule but really just wander around. All the music is great. The Beirgarten stage will always have Louisiana music. If you ever get overwhelmed by the crowds you can shimmy over to a side street away from Jefferson and the other main routes. Take it all in baby. It's only once a year.
First timers, too! Thanks for posting!
Only thing I'll add is that you may want to bring some cash for the market as well. There's a gravel parking lot next to the courthouse that is taken over by a big bazaar type market with various hand-made curios - jewelry, clothing, body butter, wooden sculptures, etc. I'll admit it's rarely my type of thing, but I still walk through it every year lol. You're going to have a fantastic time!
I need someone to DD for me. Soooo… any takers? Friday night will be the most poppin night. Bring water, stay hydrated. If you come during the daytime I cannot stress enough how important sunscreen and water is. Try to leave before 1130 on Friday or Saturday bc there’s always some dumb shit shooting and or drama happening late at night on the weekend of festival. Bring cash, check out the local vendors. Be safe!
The music is ending earlier this year so you should be able to GTFO by 10:30 every night.
Yeah I plan on getting out early. Won’t be drinkin tho, my first year not drinking lol. Edibles for me. I’m going early and as soon as they wear off I’m outta there. 😅
Ha ha it's good to have a plan. That sounds like a good one.
I love FIL so much we were married during Festival-that was our reception! I second all the great advice here and will recommend that you see Angelique Kidjo Friday evening!
Do not miss **Deano & Jo**, performing on the "busking" stage set up by *SOLA Violins* and *Louisiana Folk Roots*, at the corner of Vermilion and Jefferson on Sunday afternoon at 1:00. Acoustic Americana duo.
Don't stress. Wander and wonder. Have a few drinks, eat some great food, make some new friends.
A couple highlights this year (IMHO): Angelique Kidjo ADG7 Tank & the Bangas RAM Las Cafeteras The Wailers Dub, Inc. And something Daigle? https://www.festivalinternational.org/schedule#/2023-04-26
Need a bread bowl ASAP
Uber or Lyft there
Please consider checking out the festivalinternational sub https://www.reddit.com/r/FestivalInternational/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1
Art vendors and food. There should be some good music too
Anybody have the wristbands yet? I can’t figure out how to load money into it using a card. Is it different this year?
It's tied to the credit card, so there isn't any balance loading this year. Just direct charges to the card
Oh that’s a much better setup. Thanks for the info.
i'M GONNA BE SO EXCITED TO FIND LOST WRIST BANDS THIS YEAR!
Is that really a thing???
I mean if they didn't put a pin and it's tied to a card and they didn't realize they lost it yet...probly get u a couple drinks?