NEW ORLEANS – Hogs for the Cause returns to the UNO Lakefront Arena Festival Grounds on April 10–11 bringing together more than 90 barbecue teams, 20 musical acts, and 30,000+ supporters for a weekend that fuels life-changing support for families facing pediatric brain cancer.
Now in its 18th year, Hogs for the Cause (“Hogs”) combines the best of New Orleans festival culture with a powerful charitable mission. To date, Hogs has distributed more than $15 million historically in direct financial grants to over 2,300 families and strategic hospital investment projects nationwide. Its growing network of Hogs Houses provides free, family-centered housing near leading children’s hospitals, ensuring parents can remain close to their children during extended treatment.
“When we look at what Hogs has become, it’s overwhelming in the best possible way,” said Becker Hall, co-founder and CEO of Hogs for the Cause. “This festival started with a simple idea: help one family. Today, because of the passion of our teams, sponsors, and supporters, we’re helping thousands. The scale of that impact is something we’ll never take for granted. It just proves that when people come together around food, music, and fun, extraordinary things can happen.”
The flagship event kicks off on Friday, April 10, from 3:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., with Bacon and Wings Night, now in its seventh year. Presented by Irpino, Avin, and Hawkins Law Firm and supported by Sanderson Farms and Tabasco, Friday night invites guests to walk the grounds, meet the pitmasters, and sample creative bacon dishes and wings crafted exclusively for the evening’s competitions. Teams will compete in Sauce, Blue Plate Side, Bacon, and Wings categories.
Live music throughout the night on three stages will feature performances by Stephen Wilson, Jr., Buffalo Traffic Jam, Lance Roark, The Band Feel, Lamont Landers, Robert Jon and The Wreck, HollyRock, and Louisiana Surf Department. Listen Here: Hogs for the Cause 2026 Artist Spotify Playlist
The gates reopen on Saturday, April 11, at 11 a.m. for the Ben Sarrat, Jr. Cookoff, where 90 teams – ranging from acclaimed chefs to backyard BBQ diehards – compete for the coveted Manning Family Children’s Grand Champion Title. Winners from the Whole Hog, Ribs, Pork Butt/Shoulder, and Porkpourri divisions vie for top honors, with additional awards for Best Sauce, Fan Favorite, and Fundraising Champion.
Guests are encouraged to bring their appetite as they sample dishes from every team in exchange for donations that directly support the Hogs’ mission.
Saturday’s music lineup across three stages showcases a mix of rising stars and festival favorites, including Charles Wesley Godwin, The Castellows, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Southern Avenue, Marfa, Jeremie Albino, DK Harrell, The Bones of J.R. Jones, East Nash Grass, Fust, The Band Loula, and Rootbeer Richie & The Reveille.
Hogs for the Cause is a cashless event, with all purchases made with credit card, debit card, or Apple Pay. Tickets are still available at hogsfest.org. Tickets for the Friday night event start at $50 + fees, while Saturday tickets start at $70 + fees. Single-day Friday VIP tickets are $225 + fees, single-day Saturday VIP tickets are $260 + fees.
Hogs for the Cause is made possible in part by the support of its 2026 sponsors, including Manning Family Children’s, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Miller High Life, Phelps, Irpino Avin Hawkins Law Firm, NewAge Products, Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust, and La Vielle Ferme.
For more information about Hogs for the Cause, its mission, or how to get involved, visit www.hogsforthecause.org.