Festival International is getting ready to celebrate a special anniversary, and the 2026 lineup proves it.
From local hitmakers like the Givers and renowned Louisiana culture bearers such as Zachary Richard, to international acts that remind us of the power of music to connect across borders and languages — 40 years later, Festival International de Louisiane is still placing music on center stage in downtown Lafayette.
Doctor Nativo from Guatemala performs on the International stage as Festival International de Louisiane continues in downtown Lafayette on Sunday, April 28, 2019.
Festival International released this year’s lineup at Acadiana Center for the Arts during Artwalk on Saturday, Feb. 14. The event featured the special 40th anniversary commemoration book that documents the artists, crowds, and magical moments of Festival through the years, along with the story of Festival International — how it reignited a city eager to promote its rich cultural history in the wake of an economic downturn.
The Festival International 40th Anniversary books is displayed during a press conference Friday, October 31, 2025, at City Hall in Lafayette, La.
The 40th Festival International de Louisiane will take place in downtown Lafayette from April 22 to 26. Here are the artists who will be showcased on festival stages this year:
Stephen Marley, Jamaica
Rhiannon Giddens, Unites States
Cimafunk, Cuba
Delgres, France/Guadeloupe
Natu Camara, Guinea
Givers, Louisiana
Nomfusi, South Africa
Las Cafeteras, United States/Mexico
Zachary Richard, Louisiana
Doctor Nativo, Guatemala
Country Gongbang, South Korea
Sonny Landreth, Louisiana
Vieux Farka Touré, Mali
Subatomic Soundsystem, Screechy Dan, Norwood Fisher, Jamaica/United States
Chris Ardoin & Zydeco Nu-Step, Louisiana
Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Louisiana
Novalima, Peru
Vishten, Prince Edward Island
Silver Birds Steel Orchestra, Jamaica
Thomé Young, New Brunswick
Slap Dragon with Scott Mulvahill, Tennessee
Breabach, Scotland
Sinkane, Sudan
Karma and the Killjoys, Louisiana
Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Louisiana
Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Louisiana
Jourdan Thibodeaux et Les Rôdailleurs, Louisiana
Rusty Metoyer & the Zydeco Krush, Louisiana
Jacques Surette, Nova Scotia
Boma Bango, Democratic Republic of the Congo/Colombia/Louisiana
Beauséjour, New Brunswick
Dustin Dale Gaspard, Louisiana
Corey Ledet Zydeco & Black Magic, Louisiana
Prends Courage, Louisiana
Mathieu Lippé, Quebec
Soul Express Brass Band, Louisiana
Amis du Teche, Louisiana
Dwight James & the Royals, Louisiana
Mike Dopsie & Zydeco Entourage, Louisiana
Blue Monday Allstars Celebrates Lee Allen Zeno, Louisiana
KC Jones, Louisiana
The Revelers, Louisiana
Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Louisiana
Bonsoir, Catin, Louisiana
Primera Linea, Cuba
Krewe de Canailles, Louisiana
Bas Clas, Louisiana
SideQuest with Gino V. and Zach Edwards, Louisiana
The Amazing Nuns, Louisiana
Beau Cheval, Louisiana
Cashier, Louisiana
SOLA Violins International Fiddle Summit
Acadiana Symphony Youth Orchestra, Louisiana
Michael Juan Nunez, Louisiana
Yvette Landry Trio, Louisiana
School of Rock Lafayette
Mike Dean Band, Louisiana
Voices of Progressive Gospel Choir, Louisiana
Performing Arts Conservatory, Louisiana
The Babineaux Sisters, Louisiana
Battle of the Bands: 2nd place (Dinger) and 1st place (5AM)
Lafayette Lion Dance
New Natives Brass Band, Louisiana
Dragon Knights Stilt Show, France/United States
F.I.R.E. Expressions, Louisiana
Burke Riley Trio, Louisiana
French Immersion Student Performance
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.theadvocate.com ’
