Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival

2022 Schedule of Events

Zydeco Season Opening - Thursday, August 4

Zydeco Festival Season party begins at the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center. With the official opening of the year 2022, the 40th Annual Original SWLA Zydeco Music Festival will serve light refreshments, music, and celebration, the event takes place from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Opelousas Museum, 315 N Main St, Opelousas, LA 70570.

Kickoff Dance - Friday, September 2

The party will get started early the night before at Evangeline Downs at 9 p.m. with Lil Nate & The Zydeco Big Timers, Grammy winner Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Grammy nominees Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie and Corey Ledet; along with Mike Broussard & Nu Edition Zydeco, Jeremy Frugé & The Zydeco Hot Boyz and Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Krush. 2235 Creswell Lane Extension, Opelousas, LA 70570

Big Zydeco Parade - Saturday, September 3

Parade route East Landry Street and Wallior Street. The Zydeco parade lines up at 8:30 a.m. with scores of zydeco fans, businesses, social clubs, dance groups, and trail riders. The parade rolls at 10 a.m., passing by the Zydeco Breakfast on Landry, as they head to the Festival Grounds.

Zydeco Breakfast - Saturday, September 3

Join them for the annual Zydeco Breakfast in downtown Opelousas. From 9-11 am, under the oak trees on the Courthouse Square, you can listen to the sounds of Jeffery Broussard and The Creole Cowboys. Local downtown eateries will feature an assortment of breakfast items for sale. Thanks to Opelousas Tourism, with support from Opelousas Main Street, Inc., the City of Opelousas, and the St. Landry Parish Government, hosts the free event each year to get people excited about SW LA Zydeco Festival music and activities.

40th Annual Original Southwest Zydeco Festival

This year’s celebration takes place on the Yambilee Festival Grounds beginning at noon and winding down in the wee hours of the night. Gather your friends and family for a full day and night of music, traditional Creole food by vendors and food trucks, along with arts and crafts.

History of Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival

In 1981 fearful that Creole and Zydeco music was dying out, The Treasures of Opelousas-a group of concerned citizens under the guidance and sponsorship of Southern Development Foundation-organized the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival.

The first Zydeco Festival in 1982 was started on a farmer’s field in the Plaisance community on the outskirts of Opelousas, with four hundred people in attendance and has continued to grow ever since.

The Zydeco Music Festival is a living reminder to never to forget where we come from, to always appreciate and respect our past, and most of all to continue our legacy in keeping the rich culture alive.