For nearly 20 years, the Syracuse Crawfish Festival has been kicking off festival season in Central New York. Held each year on the first Saturday in May, this long-running tradition brings the spirit and flavor of New Orleans to Syracuse and it all supports a great cause. Rain or shine, the festival invites the community to gather for a day filled with Cajun food, music, and celebration. From steaming trays of crawfish and shrimp to sweet beignets and other New Orleans classics, it’s a chance to experience a taste of Cajun culture right here in Central New York.
The 2026 Syracuse Crawfish Festival returned to Clinton Square on Saturday, May 2, bringing Downtown Syracuse to life with a full day of food, music, family fun, and community celebration. Once again, the festival kicked off festival season in Central New York while bringing the community together in support of Operation Northern Comfort.
From the food and live music to family activities and the many community organizations represented throughout Clinton Square, the 2026 Syracuse Crawfish Festival was a celebration of everything that makes this event special.
Most importantly, it was all in support of Operation Northern Comfort and our mission of neighbors helping neighbors. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, performed, sponsored, participated, or helped make the 2026 festival possible. We couldn’t do it without you, and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year!
| 11:00 | Opening Remarks and National Anthem |
| 11:05–12:00 | Unity Street Band |
| 12:00-1:30 | The Confabulateurs |
| 1:00 | Mascot Dance-Off |
| 1:30-3:00 | Barndogs |
| 3:00-3:30 | PGR Dance Team |
| 3:30-5:00 | Brass Inc. |
| 5:30-7:00 | Ripcords |
| 7:00 | Raffle draws |
| 11:00–12:00 | Bridget DeMarse |
| 12:00–1:00 | Christopher LeFever |
| 1:00–2:00 | Caleb Liber |
| 2:00–3:00 | Kaylee Hale |
| 3:00–4:00 | Mark Zane |
| 4:00–5:00 | Jason on Guitar |
| 5:00–6:00 | Lee Barrett |
| 6:00–7:00 | Edmond Ordez |
Interested in becoming a vendor for the 2026 Syracuse Crawfish Festival? Click the button below to start the application process.
This beloved event wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of our sponsors. If you’re interested in sponsoring the next installment of the Syracuse Crawfish Festival, please click the button below.
The Syracuse Crawfish Festival has deep roots in the history of Operation Northern Comfort. The organization began as a disaster relief nonprofit responding to Hurricane Katrina, when volunteers from Central New York traveled south to help communities recover. When those volunteers returned home, they brought back not only a continued commitment to service but also a piece of the culture they experienced in New Orleans.
Today, the festival celebrates that connection. All proceeds directly support Operation Northern Comfort, helping the organization provide accessibility ramps, mobility solutions, and other support for neighbors throughout Central New York, as well as disaster relief efforts across the United States.