The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival isn’t the only springtime event built around the confluence of food and music.
The inaugural FamiLee Day takes over the grounds of the UNO Lakefront Arena on Saturday. The “Lee” in FamiLee is food-savvy social media content creator Keith Lee, who has more than 17 million TikTok followers.
Seeking to celebrate music and food with his own branded festival, he partnered with Live Nation Urban and Morrow Hospitality to create the first-ever FamiLee Day.
Gates open at noon Saturday, and the music goes until 10 p.m. Scheduled performers include contemporary gospel star Kirk Franklin, rapper, singer and actor Tobe Nwigwe — who, like Lee, first built a following on social media — singer Andra Day and a New Orleans contingent that includes “Queen of Bounce” Big Freedia, Cash Money Records producer DJ Mannie Fresh, rapper Ha Sizzle and Black Masking Indian Flagboy Giz.
La Reezy, Subtweet Shawn, Gracie’s Corner, DJ RBD, Rude Jude, DJ Keith Scott, Neace Robinson, DJ Arie Spins, Shamar and emcee and comedian Kevin “KevOnStage” Fredericks round out the entertainment roster.
TikTok famous
Lee launched his career as an influencer by posting restaurant reviews on TikTok from Las Vegas, often focused on independent, family-owned establishments. His matter-of-fact style resonated, and his popularity on the platform exploded.
He won TikTok’s Creator of the Year award and, in 2025, was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential creators.
He first created a stir in Louisiana when he named New Orleans his favorite food city in 2023, then reviewed restaurants in New Orleans and Baton Rouge in 2024, and came back for Mardi Gras this year.
“New Orleans showed my family and me so much love and that stayed with me,” Lee said in a news release. “FamiLee Day is my way of giving that love back, bringing people together, supporting local businesses, and celebrating the culture and food that makes New Orleans so special.”
Morrow Hospitality is the New Orleans-based restaurant group that launched in 2018 with Morrow’s restaurant on St. Claude Avenue. It now includes several restaurants, among them Morrow Steak, Hide Seek, Sun Chong and Monday.
Hand-picked food vendors
FamiLee Day will also include a food village curated by Lee. Over 2,000 vendors applied, he said, and many are Black-owned businesses. He said the vendors aren’t charged a fee so they can maximize the money they make.
“I obviously couldn’t pick every one of those 2,000. The list that we chose is hand-picked.”
Featured food providers include Neyow’s Creole Café, Addis, Cleo’s, Jamaican Jerk House, Kok Wings & Things, Brooklyn Dumplings Shop, Deesxquisite, Fritai, Kajunlicious Food Therapy, Matcha Magic, Spicy Mango, I-tal Gardens and more.
“If you’ve seen a video ever and thought, ‘Ooo that looks good,’ nine times out of 10, they’re going to be there,” Lee said.
The vendor list also includes some restaurants from other cities he has visited on food tours, like JL Patisserie in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, which has locations across Canada and the U.S.
Tickets and info
Tickets for FamiLee Day start at $69.50 for general admission. Lee said on social media that it was the lowest price he could set, and it also includes family-friendly activities, games, carnival rides and an obstacle course.
VIP tickets are $199 and include such perks as expedited entry and lounge access. A “Chef’s Table” VIP option is sold out. Children age 6 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult, with a limit of two children per adult ticket.
The rain-or-shine event will have free parking at 6801 Franklin Ave., with rideshare use encouraged at drop-off point at 6871 Franklin Ave.
Clear bags that are 12 inches by 12 inches or smaller are allowed along with clutches and bags 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches or smaller.
The festival prohibits blankets, outside food and beverages, large umbrellas, weapons and more, with a full list on its frequently asked questions page.
The festival has not said whether chairs are permitted or if the festival is cashless.
Go to www.famileeday.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
