Picture an accordion kicking off a two-step, a few thousand people hitting the dance floor at once, and a cold drink in your hand where every dollar goes to a good cause. That’s the KBON Music Festival, and for one weekend every October, it’s the best place in Acadiana to hear Louisiana music the way it’s meant to be played: live, loud, and local.
Here’s everything you need to know about the KBON Cajun Music Festival 2026, from the full lineup to tips for making the most of the weekend.
What Is the KBON Music Festival?
The festival is a fan appreciation event hosted by KBON 101.1 FM, the Eunice radio station known for a playlist you won’t hear anywhere else. On any given day, the station might move from a country hit to a Cajun accordion classic, then to zydeco, then to classic soul. That Louisiana-flavored variety is exactly what the festival brings to the stage.
It’s grown into one of the biggest Cajun festivals in Louisiana. The event regularly draws more than 8,000 people to Rayne, and its 550 on-site camper spots typically sell out as soon as registration opens.
KBON Cajun Music Festival 2026: Dates and Location
This year’s festival runs Friday, October 2, through Sunday, October 4, at the Rayne Frog Festival Grounds in Rayne. Rayne is about a 20-minute drive west of Lafayette, which makes this one of the easiest Cajun music festivals for Lafayette, LA, residents to reach for a day or the whole weekend.
Gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The 2026 KBON Festival Lineup and Tickets
This year’s theme says it all: all local, all Louisiana, all day long. Here’s the full schedule.
Friday, October 2 | Admission: $5
- 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. Hunter Courville & Cajun Fever
- 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Travis Matte & The Kingpins, with special guests Johnnie Allan & Jivin Gene
- 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie
- 9:45 – 10:45 p.m. Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Krush
- 11:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Nik-L-Beer Band
Saturday, October 3 | Admission: $10
- 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Seth Spell & Cajun Strong
- 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Donnie Broussard & The Louisiana Stars
- 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Dustin Dale Gaspard (solo act)
- 1:45 – 3:00 p.m. Jr. Lacrosse & Sumtin’ Sneaky
- 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco Band
- 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. Jamie Bergeron & The Kickin’ Cajuns
- 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. 4 Horses
- 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Kevin Naquin & Ossun Playboys
- 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Adam Leger
- 9:45 – 10:45 p.m. Swampland Revival
- 11:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Tommy G & Stormy Weather
Sunday, October 4 | Admission: $5
- 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Cajun Fire
- 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Robert Jardel & Pure Cajun
- 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners
- 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. Dustin Sonnier & The Wanted
- 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Lil Fats Jackson
- 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. Mike Broussard & Quickdraw
- 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Damon Troy & Louisiana Beat
Saturday is the marathon, with 11 bands running from 10 a.m. to midnight. Friday night leans heavily on zydeco and swamp pop, and Sunday afternoon is the most laid-back stretch of the weekend—perfect for families.
Where Your Admission Goes
Here’s the part that makes this festival different. Every dollar of gate and beverage sales goes to FUNraisers for St. Jude, supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the families it serves. That means every ticket, every cold drink, and every trip to the dance floor helps kids fighting cancer.
That’s a cause close to home for Butcher Air Conditioning. Our family supports St. Jude year-round, including the on-campus housing where families of children in treatment stay free of charge. We’re proud to sponsor a festival that celebrates the music of Acadiana and gives back to a cause that matters this much.
Tips for Making the Most of the Weekend
- Pace yourself on Saturday. With music running 14 hours straight, it’s the biggest day of the festival. Arrive early if you want a good spot.
- Bring a lawn chair. Dancing is the main event, but you’ll want somewhere to rest between sets.
- Bring cash. It keeps the admission and drink lines moving.
- Plan for the weather. Early October in Acadiana can still run warm during the day and cool off at night.
- Don’t skip Sunday. It’s the cheapest day, the most relaxed, and a great introduction to Cajun music if you’re bringing kids or first-timers.
More Things to Do in Lafayette in October
October is the best month of the year to be outside in Acadiana. The heat finally breaks, and the festival calendar fills up. Beyond KBON, Festivals Acadiens et Créoles at Lafayette’s Girard Park is another fall staple, and Acadiana’s small-town festivals keep the weekends busy all month long. If you’re building a list of things to do in Lafayette in October, a weekend of live Cajun music in Rayne belongs at the top.
Enjoy the Music, Butcher Air Conditioning Will Handle the Rest
Cooler October weather is also the perfect reminder to get your heating system checked before the first real cold front rolls through. Butcher Air Conditioning has served Acadiana for over 77 years as a family-owned, locally operated company, and our team can make sure your home is ready for whatever the season brings. See you on the dance floor.
Get Your Home Prepared for Cooler Weather
The first cold front of the season is closer than you think. Schedule a heating tune-up now and enjoy the rest of festival season without worrying about your furnace or heat pump.
