One of Lafourche Parish’s most anticipated fall traditions returns this weekend as the Louisiana Gumbo Festival celebrates its rich Cajun heritage with three days of food, music, family, entertainment and community spirit.
The 2026 Louisiana Gumbo Festival is set for Oct. 9-11 at the Chackbay Fairgrounds, 326 Highway 304. The annual festival brings together thousands of visitors for a weekend centered around one of Louisiana’s most iconic dishes – gumbo.
This year’s festival will also celebrate its 2026 royal court, with Brittany Boudreaux serving as the 2026 Gumbo Queen and Benjamin Comeaux serving as the 2026 Gumbo King.
Volunteers will once again cook nearly 500 gallons of gumbo throughout the festival weekend, including seafood and chicken-and-sausage varieties.
Festivalgoers can also enjoy a variety of other Cajun food, live entertainment, carnival rides, a parade, a live auction and activities for the entire family.
A Chackbay tradition since 1973
The Louisiana Gumbo Festival dates back to 1973, when the event began as a community celebration that has grown into one of the region’s signature festivals.
According to the event’s website, during the 1970s, Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards signed a proclamation naming Chackbay the ‘Gumbo Capitol of Louisiana,’ a title that has become closely associated with the community and its annual festival.
The festival’s roots are closely tied to the Chackbay community and its volunteer fire department.
Historical accounts note that local community events were eventually combined as volunteers worked to create what became the Louisiana Gumbo Festival, with proceeds supporting community causes and the fire department.
More than five decades later, that tradition continues.
The festival has grown to attract more than 15,000 visitors annually and has received national and regional recognition.
According to the event’s website, it was previously named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association and one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeastern Tourism Society.
Three days of Louisiana food and entertainment
The 2026 festival will feature live music throughout the weekend.
Friday’s lineup includes Freddie Rodrigue, Reese’s Pieces and the Kerry Thibodaux Band. Saturday’s entertainment includes Tet Dur, Heart & Soul, Good Feelin’, the JP Bourgeois Band and After 8. Sunday’s lineup features Tommy G & Stormy Weather and Ryan Foret.
All live music performances will be taking place on the Bon Terre Credit Stage.
In addition to the music, visitors can enjoy carnival rides, Cajun food, the festival parade and a live auction. The 2026 parade is scheduled for Sunday at 10:30 a.m., while the live auction will follow at 1 p.m.
For families, the combination of food, rides, music and other activities makes the festival a weekend celebration for visitors of all ages.
Supporting the Chackbay Volunteer Fire Department
While the food and entertainment draw thousands of people to the festival each year, the event has an import purpose beyond celebrating Louisiana culture.
All festival proceeds benefit the Chackbay Volunteer Fire Department.
The department relies on the annual festival as an important community fundraiser while its volunteers continue their work protecting residents and responding to emergencies throughout the Chackbay area.
That connection between the festival and the fire department remains one of the event’s defining traditions.
For more than 50 years, generations of volunteers have helped prepare food, organize activities and keep the festival moving forward – making the Louisiana Gumbo Festival about more than just a bowl of gumbo.
It is a celebration of Chackbay’s heritage, Louisiana food and music, family traditions and community service.
The 2026 Louisiana Gumbo Festival is open to the public, with more information available through the Louisiana Gumbo Festival and Chackbay Volunteer Fire Department.
Check out the schedule of events for this year’s Louisiana Gumbo Festival in Chackbay below:
Friday, Oct. 9
• 5-11 p.m., gates open
• 5-6 p.m., Freddie Rodrigue
• 6-11 p.m., amusement rides
• 6:30-8:30 p.m., Reese’s Pieces
• 9-11 p.m., Kerry Thibodaux Band
Saturday, Oct. 10
• 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., gates open
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tet Dur
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., amusement rides session one
• 1:30-3:30 p.m., Heart n Soul
• 4-6 p.m., Good Feelin’
• 5-11 p.m., amusement rides session two
• 6:30-8:30 p.m., JB Bourgeois
• 9-11 p.m., After 8
Sunday, Oct. 11
• 10:30 a.m., parade (Begins at the 1200 block of Highway 304 in Thibodaux and ends at the Fairgrounds)
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., gates open
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., amusement rides
• 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tommy G & Stormy Weather
• 1 p.m., live auction (Set to take place at the Auction Barn on the Fairgrounds)
• 3-5 p.m., Ryan Foret
Dining and Cooking