Great artists, better cause. With more and more festivals under the wide country, folk and Americana umbrella popping up seemingly by the week, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to not only keep track of just which is which but also to weed out which festival is worth the cost of admission and traveling expenses. While some “country” festivals around the U.S. lean more towards appealing to a mass audience of non-traditional listeners, complete with random has-been hip-hop artists and the like, what if I told you that a festival is not only enlisting some of the best and brightest stars in the roots scene with killer barbecue but also benefiting childhood cancer? Look no further than Hogs for the Cause in New Orleans. After an incredibly successful 2025, which featured the likes of Zach Top, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Charley Crockett as headliners, along with over 90 different barbecue venders, the festival is running it back again in 2026 with another killer lineup. Just announced, the Appalling powerhouse Charles Wesley Godwin and the red-hot Stephen Wilson Jr., who is fresh off a stunning CMA Awards night, will headline Hogs for the Cause along with a plethora of other hot up-and-comers in the country and Americana scene. Not to be outdone with the likes of Godwin and Wilson Jr. as headliners, The Castellows, Buffalo Traffic Jam, Jason Scott & the High Heat, Lance Roark, The Band Loula, the criminally underrated Jermie Albino and more will serve as supporting acts across the festival’s two days. View this post on Instagram Once again, Hogs for the Cause will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 10-11th at the UNO Lakefront Festival Grounds, which are located just off of Lake Ponchatrain and just six miles north of Bourbon Street. As previously mentioned, beyond the stellar artists and great food throughout the festival’s two days, Hogs for the Cause’s main mission is raising money to help benefit children in need. In case you’re not familiar with the organization, it was founded from humble beginnings by Rene Louapre and Becker Hall, who hosted a pig roast to raise money for a boy named Ben Sarrat who had been diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer. Since then, Hogs for the Cause has raised and distributed over $15 million dollars, including over 2,300 direct grants to families fighting pediatric brain cancer, millions of dollars to hospital programs and additional millions for housing on children’s hospital campuses, according to their website. Tickets are on sale today starting at just $110.21 for two-day general admission. Additionally, Boss Hog VIP packages, which include complimentary drinks, shaded seating and appetizers in the VIP tent, front-of-stage viewing, private restrooms and re-entry access. As for their premium package, Goin’ Ham Super VIP, guests will receive all the Boss Hog VIP amenities along with the likes of $150 to spend on food and drinks, a welcome gift package, free Hogs merchandise, on-site parking, a concierge and the opportunity to not only dine on the wide array of barbecue vendors but also judge and vote on the winner of the barbecue contest which is being held in tandem with the live music. It’s not every year you get to see the likes of standouts such as Godwin, Wilson Jr., The Castellows and more while simultaneously benefiting a great cause. If you’re in the New Orleans area come April, you won’t want to miss this festival.The post Stephen Wilson Jr. & Charles Wesley Godwin To Headline 2026 ‘Hogs For The Cause’ Lineup In New Orleans first appeared on Whiskey Riff.