Pensacola Crawfish Festival returns with live music and Louisiana crawfish

Last year's Pensacola Crawfish Festival at Seville Square. [Photo by Pensacola Press]

One of Pensacola’s most anticipated spring events is set to return as the Pensacola Crawfish Festival takes over downtown April 24 to 26, bringing together live music, Cajun cuisine and family-friendly entertainment in the heart of the city.

Held at Seville Square and Fountain Park, the three-day festival will run Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $5 per day for adults, $2 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and under. Entry gates will be located on Government Street, across from Hub Stacey’s, and Zaragoza Street, across from Pensacola Bay Brewery.

At the center of the event is its signature culinary offering: thousands of pounds of boiled crawfish sourced fresh from Louisiana and prepared by local provider Cordova Crawfish Company. Festivalgoers can also explore a wide range of Cajun-inspired dishes, including boudin, jambalaya, étouffée, gumbo and fresh and fried seafood. For those seeking more traditional fare, vendors offer options such as chicken baskets, po’boys, hot dogs and popular festival desserts, including funnel cakes, fried Oreos and ice cream.

Vendors at the Pensacola Crawfish Festival.

Live entertainment will be featured throughout the weekend on the main stage in Fountain Park, with a lineup that spans a variety of musical styles rooted in Gulf Coast and Louisiana traditions. Friday’s schedule includes performances by Tim Roberts, the 9th Avenue Brass Band, Dustin Ray, Adam Leger and Swampland Revival. On Saturday, acts such as Spare Parts Band, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Deltaphonic and Flow Tribe will take the stage, alongside additional appearances by the 9th Avenue Brass Band. Sunday’s lineup will feature Landon Romero & 2nd Generation and Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, closing out the weekend with a strong emphasis on zydeco and regional sounds.

In addition to food and music, the festival will host a variety of activities and attractions, including the annual crawfish eating contest, held in the Cat Country tent in Fountain Park.

The festival is part of Fiesta Pensacola’s lineup of annual events and is supported in part through partnerships with The Lewis Bear Company and Coca-Cola United, which will provide a range of beverage options, including Budweiser and Coca-Cola products.

With its combination of regional cuisine, live music and long-standing community tradition, the Pensacola Crawfish Festival continues to serve as a cornerstone event for the area, drawing residents and visitors from across the region. Seville Square is located at 311 E Government St, Pensacola.