Festival International Field Guide

Each April, Downtown Lafayette transforms into a vibrant music, culture, and community hub during Festival International de Louisiane—a five-day celebration that brings the world to South Louisiana. This free event showcases an eclectic mix of international music, cuisine, and handcrafted art, drawing visitors from across the globe to experience its one-of-a-kind magic. See below for some tips on making the most of Festival International.

Downtown Lafayette is only open to pedestrian traffic during Festival International. Take advantage of the Festival shuttle that runs from the UL Lafayette Health Science Campus Parking Garages located at 601 West St. Mary Boulevard and 411 St. Landry Street to downtown Lafayette. Parking is $15 per car entry, and credit and debit cards are accepted as payment. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes from the corner of St. Landry and W. St. Mary to the Festival drop off point . Get dropped off right into the magic of Festival International Thursday through Sunday. Please note: Festival International does not own or operate the public parking lot, though we work with UL Lafayette Transportation Services to offer our patrons ample, safe parking.

People come from all around to shop and taste what Festival International offers. If you have been away from Festival International for a while, one of the most significant changes is how you pay for food, drinks, and merch. Contactless payment systems will be used during the entire five-day event via RFID bracelets. Merchandise, food, and beverage vendors will accept the bracelets for all purchases. The bracelet pulls funds from your credit/debit card as you need so there's no need to reload funds. Any unused funds can be transferred back to your bank after Festival International. ATMs are available on location as well.

At Festival International, comfortable shoes and breathable clothes will be a must. When it comes to footwear, your favorite pair of sneakers or most comfortable sandals are essential as you will walk quite a bit. It is spring in Louisiana, and the weather can be confusing. The Festival will go on rain or shine, so checking the weather and planning to carry a rain jacket or poncho in case of rain is a safe option. You should also wear and bring sunscreen, especially for the little ones. As far as an outfit, you can never go wrong busting out your favorite Festival shirt from years past and a pair of shorts, a skirt, or comfortable jeans.

There’s no better way to show your support for Festival International than with merch! Every year, the Festival has an artist who creates a work of art that is turned into pins and shirts. They also have hats, bags, flags, stickers and magnets, pins from years past, and plenty of accessories to add to your Festival fit.

The children’s area is a mini festival within Festival International! Visit Scène des Jeunes to step into a world of kid-friendly fun. From musical performances to face painting, arts and crafts, tiny instruments, and much more, the kids’ area is the perfect chance to let your little ones get their energy out, all while learning about other cultures through creativity and play! Open 11am - 4pm on Saturday & Sunday of Festival International.

As much as Festival International is about music, it is also about the food. This is different from your typical festival food with corndogs at every stand. Festival International offers an insider's pass to Lafayette's food scene highlighting a global taste with local favorites. There are staples like C'est Bon Manger's Crawfish Bread Bowl or a wrap from Zeus. There are also hidden gems like classic Venezuelan food from Patacon or Vietnamese cuisine from Blu Basil Wine and Grill. No matter how picky or adventurous you are as an eater, there is something for you to enjoy. You can view the full culinary line-up here.

Explore a world of artistry at Festival International’s Marché, a vibrant open-air market featuring handcrafted treasures and unique finds from across the globe. Stroll through Marché des Arts for fine art, pottery, and artisan jewelry, browse Marché du Monde for global goods and eclectic imports, and don’t miss Petit Marché, where young entrepreneurs showcase their creations. Whether you're searching for a one-of-a-kind keepsake or simply soaking in the creativity, the Marché is a must-visit during the Festival.

If you have even more questions or need more information on Festival International, check out the FAQ page on their website that covers everything from accessibility to volunteering.