A slightly spicy, fishy and Cajun scent, accompanied by lots of plaid, linen and florals. Yep, it’s that time. Crawfest.
On Saturday, April 5, Tulane Crawfest returned to the Berger Family Lawn. Crawfest first started in 2007, and annually brings a day full of music, food and fun for the New Orleans community. With an entirely student-based leadership team, Crawfest is one of the largest student-run events nationwide.
Crawfest 2025 offered attendees over 10,000 pounds of crawfish, performances by six musical acts and stands with many skilled local vendors. This year featured a pop-up tent on the LBC quad offering some escape from the sun, along with free airbrush tattoos, games and Crawfest postcards. There was even a wheel to spin, with prizes like tote bags, cups and squishies for any lucky winners.
As a seasoned Crawfest attendee, I have perfected my schedule for my favorite day of the spring semester. This year, I started with a tray of crawfish — or two — at 11 a.m., right when the festival opened. My next stop was The Boot Bar and Grill at 12:30 p.m. for their annual Crawfest block party, which included drink specials, live DJs and, as always, an energetic atmosphere. Around 2 p.m., it was back to Crawfest to scope out the featured vendors, activities and crawfish lines. Another two trays later, I headed home to nap off my post-Crawfest food coma.
Four Crawfest tips and tricks from my four years at Tulane
- Get your ticket early. As a Tulane student, you are eligible for free access to the festival, with general admission tickets running at $20 this year. The earlier, the better; I’ve seen friends miss out because they did not get a ticket early enough.
- Drink water. Crawfest 2025 featured biodegradable cups and free water, allowing attendees to stay hydrated for no additional cost. The New Orleans heat and humidity combined with salty crawfish is no joke!
- Eat something before. Crawfish is not the most filling food, so plan accordingly. While the lines this year were nothing compared to the crawfish shortage of 2024, it is important to fuel your body. Food vendors were serving additional treats, like crawfish mac-and-cheese and hot dogs, all available for purchase.
- Wear something light and comfortable. It can get hot on the quad, so it is important to dress for the occasion. I recommend anything light and breathable for the best Crawfest experience. On another note, crawfish are messy! Stray from light colors if possible.
I hope you all had a great Crawfest. The countdown is on for Crawfest 2026!
