Sussex County Fairgrounds
Sussex County Fairgrounds hosts Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest, a Louisiana-style music and food weekend that grew from a 70-person crawfish boil in 1989 into its 34th annual event. Parking is free, and camping gates open at 10am Friday. Pets are not allowed, outside food and drink is limited to sealed bottled water, and there is no re-entry except for campers.
Before you go
- Official site
- crawfishfest.com
- Next festival here
- Michael Arnone's 33nd Annual Crawfish Fest, Jun 4 to 6, 2027
Worth knowing before you go
- Camping gates open at 10am Friday until 9pm that night, then reopen at 8am Saturday.
- There is no re-entry to the grounds except for campers moving to and from the campground.
- No pets are allowed due to insurance rules, though trained service animals are fine.
- A 3 day adult camping ticket is available day-of for 200 dollars cash at Camper Check-in, as an alternative to buying in advance.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Free parking · Camping gates open 10am Friday · No pets, limited outside food and drink.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You want Louisiana style food and music for a long-running crawfish festival
Think twice if
- You were planning to bring a pet
- You need to leave and re-enter during the day without a camping pass
Getting there and parking
Festival-specific · Michael Arnone's Crawfish FestDirections route through Slate Hill and Route 23 North, then Loomis Avenue past the Sussex Airport and down Plains Road to the fairgrounds. Parking is free.
Festival-specific · Michael Arnone's Crawfish FestThe Sussex Express Shuttle and a separate State Shuttle run from local hotels or the airport; both need to be reserved at least 24 hours ahead with a credit card. The NYC bus service has been discontinued.
Festival-specific · Michael Arnone's Crawfish FestCamping gates open at 10am Friday until 9pm that night, then reopen at 8am Saturday morning.
Accessibility
Festival-specific · Michael Arnone's Crawfish FestNo pets of any kind are allowed due to insurance and liability regulations, though service animals trained for a specific task are allowed.
Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (crawfishfest.com).
Camping
Festival-specific · Michael Arnone's Crawfish FestMulti-night camping and admission tickets are sold in advance. A 3 day adult camping ticket is also available day-of at Camper Check-in for 200 dollars cash.
Food, water and what you can bring
Festival-specific · Michael Arnone's Crawfish FestBackpacks or soft sided coolers may only carry in sealed bottled water; no other outside food or drink is allowed, aside from infant food for dietary needs. No recording devices or professional telephoto cameras are permitted, and there is no re-entry except for campers.
Festival-specific · Michael Arnone's Crawfish FestThe food is Louisiana and New Orleans style: fresh boiled crawfish, pork sausage and chicken jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, grilled alligator sausage, po-boys, char grilled oysters and Southern fried chicken. Cash is preferred and ATMs are on site.
Recently at Sussex County Fairgrounds
Michael Arnone’s 33rd Annual Crawfish Fest Sizzle Reel. May 29-31, 2026 Sussex County Fairgrounds.
From the venue · Mar 31, 2026
December 3, 2025
From the venue · Dec 3, 2025
@RockinDopsieJr at The Guitar Bar playing with Anthony Dopsie.
From the venue · Oct 21, 2025
Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest A New Jersey Celebration of Louisiana Music, Food & Culture
Michael Arnone's 33nd Annual Crawfish Fest
Quick answers
Is parking free at Crawfish Fest?
Yes. Parking at the Sussex County Fairgrounds is free for the festival.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
No, aside from sealed bottled water in a backpack or soft sided cooler, and infant food for dietary needs.
Are dogs allowed at Crawfish Fest?
No. Pets are not allowed due to insurance and liability rules, though trained service animals are permitted.
What time does camping open?
Camping opens at 10am Friday until 9pm that night, then reopens at 8am Saturday morning.
Can I leave and come back during the festival?
No. There is no re-entry except for campers moving to and from the campground.
How did Crawfish Fest start?
It began as a small crawfish boil for about 70 people in 1989 and has grown into its 34th annual event with Cajun, Zydeco and New Orleans music.
A little history
Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest began as a small crawfish boil for about 70 people in 1989 and has grown into its 34th annual event at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, with Cajun, Zydeco, Delta Blues, New Orleans R&B, Brass, Gospel and Jazz across two stages.