Tickets now on sale for 2026 Beignet Fest

Written By Alicia Vial

Popular VIP experiences return along with a new GA+ option

NEW ORLEANS – Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Beignet Fest, set for Saturday, Nov. 7, at the New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The annual festival celebrates the iconic beignet in dozens of different dishes along with live music and family-friendly activities while raising funds for the Beignet Fest Foundation's mission to support the local autism community. Since its debut in 2016, Beignet Fest has become one of Louisiana's most popular food festivals steeped in the rich culture of New Orleans.

Early bird general admission tickets are $15 through Oct. 3 and include festival admission, live entertainment, a sensory-friendly Kids Village and other activations. Children 10 and under are admitted free.

"Beignet Fest is a celebration of everything we love about New Orleans — incredible food, live music, local art, family fun and a community that comes together to make a difference," said Sherwood Collins, executive director and event producer. "We invite everyone to join us for a day of big flavor, fun and impact."

New this year, Beignet Fest is partnering with Abita Beer to celebrate the brewery's 40th anniversary with an exclusive GA+ ticket. Available to guests 21 and older, the Abita 40 GA+ includes access to an exclusive hospitality tent with dedicated bathroom facilities, branded giveaways and one complimentary Abita beverage upon entry.

The Ruby Slipper VIP and Lagniappe Lounge experiences will return this year, continuing to offer elevated amenities and prime viewing of the entertainment stage. 

All ticketing information is available at BeignetFest.com. The festival menu will be announced in October.

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About Beignet Fest:
Named one of the Top 10 Specialty Food Festivals in the nation in 2026 by USA TODAY’s Readers Poll, Beignet Fest is a premier food festival in Louisiana that celebrates one of New Orleans’s most iconic dishes all in one place on one day. Proceeds benefit the Beignet Fest Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization established to raise awareness and support for programs in Greater New Orleans that serve autistic youth and their families.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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