Lake Charles | Daytime Activities | Dining

Mardi Gras 2019 is Tuesday, March 5th

Lake Charles' Mardi Gras Parades, Krewes & Events

Lake Charles' 50+ krewes (second only to New Orleans) put on an intense multi-day celebration each and every year. Festivities include miles long parades, lavish floats, and tens of thousands of throws. The best time to compete for Mardi Gras throws, and take in Southwest Louisiana’s display of Carnival floats is during the Krewe of Krewes Parade on Fat Tuesday afternoon.

But in a town known throughout Louisiana for the number, quality, and quantity of its Mardi Gras costumes, the krewes and parading organizations of Lake Charles have a vested interest in turning out regalia for their royal courts that stand head and shoulders above the rest. Accordingly, Lake Charles krewes throw themselves into the competition to present the gulf Coast’s finest royal ensemble.

If you want to see Louisiana’s largest display of Mardi Gras regalia all in one place, your best bet is to attend Lake Charles’ Royal Gala on Lundi Gras (Monday night before Fat Tuesday). At this overwhelming event, all of Lake Charles’ krewes and parading organizations unveil their royal wardrobes, including outfits for all 50 krewes, complete with individual pieces for kings, queens, royal dukes and duchesses, captains, courtesans, and jesters. Music and dancing follow the unveiling, and all are welcome to attend. Tickets may be purchased at the door, and children 5 and under are admitted free of charge.

2018 Lake Charles, Louisiana Mardi Gras Calendar

*Denotes events taking place at the Lake Charles Civic Center.
Events subject to change. Visit Mardi Gras SWLA for the most up-to-date information.

All Lake Charles parade routes (except for the Krewe of Omega Parade) will begin at the north end of Bord du Lac Drive, cross over Lakeshore Drive onto West Mill Street, turn right onto Ryan Street and continue south on Ryan to Sale Road where the parades will end.

1st Weekend

Saturday, February 3, 2018

10:00am
Gumbo Cook-Off

Downtown Vinton, Louisiana

1:00pm
Vinton Mardi Gras Parade

Downtown Vinton, Louisiana

2:00 PM
City of Sulphur Mardi Gras Parade

Cypress Street through the S-Curve to South Huntington Street

Parade will consist of Mardi Gras Krewes, merchants, individuals, groups and organizations, and the route will be from Cypress Street through the S-Curve to South Huntington Street.

Phone: 337-527-4500

3:00 PM
King Cake Taste Off

Henning Cultural Center - 3295 Highway 27 S. Sulphur, LA 70663

Local bakeries compete to take first place in a variety of categories. The King Cake Taste-off is free to the public, so come taste the best King Cakes that Southwest Louisiana has to offer and cast your vote for the People's Choice award!

For parade entry forms and King Cake Taste Off entry forms, contact Kaitlyn Gallegos at [email protected] or call 337-313-1302 or 337-527-4500.

Sunday, February 4, 2018

1:00pm
*Lake Charles Mardi Gras Chicken Run

Lake Charles Civic Center - 900 Lakeshore Drive Lake Charles, LA 70601

Admission to concert: $15, 12yrs & under: $5, 5yrs & under: FREE

Follow the parade of horses, ATVs, and floats along the Lake Charles Civic Center at 1 p.m. After the parade, enjoy a Mardi Gras Concert featuring a variety of Zydeco musicians – concert begins at 4 p.m.

For more information, call (337) 660-1050 or email [email protected].

Mardi Gras Weekend

Thursday, February 8, 2018

7:00pm
Mardi Gras Lighted Boat Parade

Lakefront Promenade

(337-425-8623

Friday, February 9, 2018

7.00pm
Mardi Gras Merchants' Parade

Downtown/Midtown Lake Charles Ryan Street Lake Charles

Local business leaders and social organizations take to the streets on festive Mardi Gras floats from the Lake Charles Civic Center to Ryan Street, ending at Sale Road.

Phone: (337) 425-8623
Admission: Free

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Cooking begins at 7.30am
judging at 11.30am
Gumbo served after judging until 1.30pm
*World Famous Cajun Extravaganza and Gumbo Cook-off

Lake Charles Civic Center (Convention/Entertainment Center), 900 Lakeshore Drive Lake Charles

Phone: 337-475-7393
Admission: $5 (Children 5 & Under are free)

2:00pm
Krewe of Omega Parade

Downtown Lake Charles - Lakeshore Drive Lake Charles, LA

Parade Route:
Start on North side of Civic Center to Broad St. heading east to Enterprise Blvd, left on Enterprise to Mill St., left on Mill St. back to Civic Center.

The Krewe of Omega Mardi Gras parade will be held in downtown Lake Charles. The Krewe of Omega was formed in 1970 by Joseph Moffett Jr. and its purpose is to provide social activities for the young and elderly. The krewe also gives service awards to those who participate in the improvement of the community and its people. Krewe of Omega was formed to bring Mardi Gras activities to the black community. To this day, it is the only Southwest Louisiana krewe to hold its own parade. The parade is held each year on the Saturday prior to Mardi Gras.

3:00 PM
*Krewe of Barkus Parade

Lake Charles Civic Center (Convention/Entertainment Center)
900 Lakeshore Drive Lake Charles, LA 70601

A parade of costumed pets and their owners makes for a whimsical, carnival atmosphere. The title of "Mystical Dog" is given to the most strikingly costumed participant. One of the most highly attended parades during the Mardi Gras season, the day-time parade attracts pet-lovers and families. Entry fee applies. Organized by Cumulus Broadcasting.

Phone: 337-439-3300
Admission: Free

3:00pm – 5:00pm
*Mardi Gras Zydeco Dance

Lake Charles Civic Center (Convention/Entertainment Center)

7:30pm
Krewe of Illusions

Lake Charles Civic Center

(337) 436-5843

Sunday, February 11, 2018

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
*Taste de la Louisiane

Lake Charles Civic Center (Convention/Entertainment Center) - 900 Lakeshore Drive Lake Charles, LA

Pots and pots of traditional Louisiana cuisine ready to be sampled, all for a $10 admission fee.

Phone:(337) 425-8623
Admission: $10

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
*Mardi Gras Children's Day

Lake Charles Civic Center (Convention/Entertainment Center) - 900 Lakeshore Drive Lake Charles, LA

Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana is a family-friendly festival and even has an entire day devoted to kids! Children’s Day, a free event open to children ages 3 to 11, combines Mardi Gras fun with culture, music and learning.

For more information on Children’s Day or other Mardi Gras events in Southwest Louisiana, contact the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau at (337) 436-9588 or visit

Phone:(337) 425-8623
Admission:Free

2:30pm
Mardi Gras Madness 5k

Corner of Lakeshore Drive and Gill Street

3:30 PM
Mardi Gras Children's Day Parade

Route is Downtown Ryan St. to Sale Rd.

A purple, green and gold parade in Lake Charles for the young and young at heart.

LUNDI GRAS - Monday, February 12, 2018

7:00 PM
*Mardi Gras Royal Gala

Lake Charles Civic Center (Convention/Event Center) - 900 Lakeshore Drive Lake Charles, LA 70601

The Cinderella night of Mardi Gras manifests on Lundi Gras, Monday, February 27 at 7 p.m. with a lavish promenade of more than 60 krewes’ royalty in extravagant, glittering costumes before thousands of residents and visitors at the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum.

Kings and queens, royal dukes and duchesses, captains, courtesans, and jesters in museum quality costumes will be in full display, complete with music and dancing for everyone at the second largest Mardi Gras in Louisiana.

Phone: 337-244-1466
Admission: $6 in advance, $7 at the door, children 5 & under are free

MARDI GRAS DAY - Fat tuesday

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

8:00am Doors Open; 9:00am Mardi Gras floats start lining up; 10:00am Parade rolls
Iowa Chicken Run

Begins and ends @ KC Hall - 503 U.S. 90 Iowa, LA

Catch a chicken at the 38th annual Mardi Gras Run on Tuesday, February 28 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 503 E Highway 90, in the town of Iowa. Doors open at 8 a.m., the Mardi Gras floats start lining up at 9 a.m. and the parade rolls at 10 a.m.

The entry fee is $10 at the door for adults. The entry fee for children 12 and under is $5. For more information, please contact Rodney Victorian at (337) 842-1875 or Kimmy Bellard at (337) 884-1403.

Phone: 337-842-1875 and 337-884-1403
Admission: $10 at the door for adults and $5 for children 12 & under

2:00pm
Jeeps on Parade

Downtown Lake Charles, Ryan Street

In conjunction with Seven Slots Society, jeep lovers unite to roll down Ryan Street in this jammin' jeep parade. To participate, visit SWLA Mardi Gras for event forms.

3:00pm
Motor Gras Parade

Downtown/Midtown Lake Charles - Ryan Street Lake Charles, LA

Hot rods, classics and motorcycles.

Admission: Free

5:00pm
Krewe of Krewes Mardi Gras Parade

Downtown/Midtown Lake Charles - Ryan Street Lake Charles, LA 70601

More than 100 elaborate krewe floats, costumes, beads and more wind through the city in the culmination of the Fat Tuesday celebration.

Phone: 337-425-8623
Admission: Free

*Denotes events taking place at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Events subject to change. Visit Mardi Gras SWLA for the most up-to-date information.

Lake Charles Mardi Gras calendar information provided courtesy of Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana.

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Lake Charles | Daytime Activities | Dining