Abbey Youth Fest Returns
April 10, 2027
What is Abbey Youth Fest?
Abbey Fest is an outdoor, day long, Catholic Youth Festival at St. Joseph Abbey near Covington, Louisiana. Throughout the day, there are speakers and Catholic influencers giving talks and testimony. It is a day where religious vocation is on full display with priests and religious, novices and seminarians present to engage and throw the ball around. Throughout the day, there is the opportunity for confession or time with the Lord either in the on-site chapel or while on tour at the Abbey Church.
Music is a big part of this festival. There is a house band offering praise and worship throughout the day and there’s always the ‘headline’ band after dinner every year that rocks the AYF field!
And finally, the liturgical rhythm of the Church is that which Abbey Youth Festival is centered—that rhythm of communal prayer that unites us a Christian body and the monastic community that hosts this event. In the afternoon, there is Holy Mass often celebrated by our local Archbishop and concelebrated by a large number of priests and other bishops from around the gulf south area. In the evening, we close Abbey Fest with a candle lit hour of benediction and adoration, marked by full orchestral and choral talent—Christ fully present, ever ancient and ever new.
The 2027 Lineup
Coming Soon…
Our Speaker and musical lineup will be announced soon!
Coming Soon…
Our Speaker and musical lineup will be announced soon!
Coming Soon…
Our Speaker and musical lineup will be announced soon!
Coming Soon…
Our Speaker and musical lineup will be announced soon!
Coming Soon…
Our Speaker and musical lineup will be announced soon!
Coming Soon…
Our Speaker and musical lineup will be announced soon!
Coming Soon…
Our Speaker and musical lineup will be announced soon!
Coming Soon…
Our Speaker and musical lineup will be announced soon!
The Theme 2027 - Made New
Abbey Youth Fest returns with a theme that reflects not only the heart of our faith, but also the journey of our festival. Made New – Of Water and Spirit is an invitation to experience the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Through the waters of Baptism and the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, God doesn't simply improve us, He renews us. He gives us a new beginning, a new identity, and a new life in Him.
This theme carries special meaning for Abbey Youth Fest. After years of uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and repeated weather events that prevented us from gathering, our return is itself a story of renewal. The same water that once represented obstacles and setbacks now points us to the living water through which Christ makes all things new.
As we gather once again on the grounds of St. Joseph Abbey, surrounded by the beauty of creation and united in worship, we celebrate more than the return of a beloved festival. We celebrate God's faithfulness. We celebrate hope restored. We celebrate lives transformed.
A Symbol of Renewal
The theme artwork reflects this journey. At its center stands the Cross, representing Jesus Christ as the source of every new beginning. Beneath it, gentle ripples spread across the water, symbolizing the grace of Baptism and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. The rays surrounding the Cross remind us that God's light continues to shine through every season, even after times of waiting, difficulty, and uncertainty.
This year, we come together with grateful hearts, celebrating not only the return of Abbey Youth Fest, but the promise that through Christ we are all Made New.
2027 General Event Details
Abbey Youth Fest 2027 takes place on Saturday, April 10, 2027 on the grounds of Saint Joseph Abbey. Gates open at 8:00 AM for group check-in, and the festival field opens at 9:30 AM. The day builds toward its high point, a Vigil Mass at 4:00 PM, and the festival concludes at 9:00 PM. The event goes on rain or shine — Louisiana weather keeps us humble, and if rain is in the forecast we'll share guidance ahead of time, which may be as simple as packing rain gear.
Who Can Attend
Abbey Youth Fest is designed for young people from 8th grade through college, along with the adults who accompany them. All attendees participate through a registered group — parish youth groups, CYOs, Catholic student associations, Catholic high schools, and similar organizations — and individual registration is not available. Group leaders can register their group and manage attendees at portal.abbeyyouthfest.com. Because the safety of young people is at the heart of everything we do, any attendee over the age of 18 and out of high school must have completed safe environment training and a background check within the past three years. Each group must also bring at least one adult chaperone for every twelve youth.
Tickets & Pricing
Youth tickets are $75 during the Early Bird period, which runs through January 10, 2027, and $85 afterward. Adult attendees (college aged) and chaperones are $55 during the Early Bird period and $65 afterward. Priests, deacons, and religious attend free of charge, though they must be included in a group registration with safe environment documentation on file. Every ticket includes lunch, dinner, and snowball tickets — because it wouldn't be a Louisiana festival without snowballs. Official AYF 2027 t-shirts are available as an optional add-on during registration: $10 during the Early Bird period and $15 afterward, up until the production deadline (date to be announced). T-shirt orders cannot be accepted after that deadline, thought we will have limited stock for $20 the day of the festival.
Deadlines & Refunds
Safe environment documentation for all adult attendees must be submitted by March 27, 2027 — two weeks before the festival — so we have time to process it. Adults whose safe environment training and background check info have not been submitted, processed, and approved by festival day will not be permitted to attend, so please start the process early. Tickets are generally non-refundable, but they are not tied to a specific person. If someone in your group can no longer attend, their spot may be filled by another attendee of the same type.
What to Bring
Blankets, tarps, ‘Crazy Creek’ or stadium type seats, sunscreen, and refillable water bottles are all great things to pack. Please leave outside food, drinks, and coolers at home besides some basic snacks — we'll make exceptions for specific dietary needs. Please leave any headphones, airpods, etc behind. Folding chairs are discouraged so everyone can see and gather comfortably, so please bring one only if it's needed for health or mobility reasons.
Accessibility
The festival takes place on a flat, generally smooth field, and ADA-accessible restroom facilities will be available on site. Everyone is welcome at Abbey Youth Fest. If you or someone in your group has special needs or requires particular arrangements, please contact us and we will make it happen to the best of our ability.
Questions?
Group leaders with questions about registration, safe environment requirements, or anything else can reach us here: