Largest crawfish festival in Northern California is coming to Sacramento. See when and where
Celebrate crawdads and Father’s Day when the Crawdad Festival returns to the Sacramento area.
Now in its second year, the festival is coming to Cal Expo on Saturday and Sunday.
“The Crawdad Festival unites communities in Northern California over the Father’s Day Weekend, offering a diverse, multicultural, family-oriented outdoor event deeply rooted in culture,” according to Cal Expo’s website.
It’s advertised as the region’s largest crawfish festival.
Previously held in Isleton, nearly 40 miles from downtown Sacramento, the Crawdad Festival focuses on freshwater crustaceans that resemble miniature lobsters. They’re also known as crawfish or crayfish.
At the 2024 festival, vendors will serve up thousands of pounds of crawfish along with Cajun-inspired dishes, such as alligator, frog legs, gumbo and jambalaya, according to the Cal Expo website.
You can also expect live entertainment, carnival rides and a car show.
There’s even a Miss Crawdad pageant.
When and where is the 2024 Crawdad Festival?
The Crawdad Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
The two-day event will be at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento.
What’s in store at Sacramento event?
More than 20 bands will perform at this year’s Crawdad Festival, playing jazz, Cajun, blues, R&B funk and southern rock, according to the event website.
Artists include saxophonist Jeanette Harris, Grant Drum Line and tribute band Red Not Chili Peppers.
There will also be a parade, raffles and a car show featuring classic vehicles.
How to get tickets
Tickets for the festival are available online and at the gate.
General admission for adults is $20, or $25 at the door.
Tickets for military personnel and seniors 65 years and over cost $15, or $20 at the gate.
Children 11 and under get in free.
VIP tickets are available for people 21 and over for $100 online. For that price, you get upgrades such as shaded reserved seating, priority access, a private bar and a meet-and-greet with the bands.
Where are other crawfish celebrations in Northern California?
The city of Isleton will host its own Crawdad Festival on Father’s Day weekend.
“The crawdad festival remains in Isleton as it’s been for the past 38 years, attracting thousands of visitors from Sacramento, to the Bay Area and all other surrounding areas,” according to the City of Isleton Crawdad Festival’s website.
The festival is not affiliated with the Cal Expo event, is said.
The Crawfish and Catfish Festival was previously held in Sacramento. However, the event will be moved to Vallejo in September due to city permits and fees, according to the event’s Facebook page.
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