Feathers, fabulous frocks, and the fais-do-do can only mean one thing — it's Mardi Gras time in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This destination does it like no other! Mark your calendars for the Mardi Gras magic hitting the streets in Lake Charles from the Krewe of Barkus dog parade and Mardi Gras Southwest Krewe of Krewes Parade to a taste of the Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Lake Charles Celebrates January 6 - March 4, 2025! Mardi Gras in Lake Charles is an assembly of celebrations and events leading up to Mardi Gras Day, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras krewes are gearing up for a festive season filled with parades, gumbo cookoffs, and plenty of King Cake. Monday, March 3, 2025 -- 14th annual Lundi Gras Party with the Zydeco Boss Keith Frank live at Cowboy's Night Club in Lake Charles presented by Townsquare Media with Gator 99.5, 107 Jamz, and 92.9 The Lake. Monday, March 3rd, 2025 -- Mardi Gras Royal Gala inside the Lake Charles Event Center starting at 7:00 pm. 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, combines Mardi Gras fun with culture, music and learning. Mardi Gras Children’s Parade - The 2025 Mardi Gras Children’s Parade at 3:30 p.m. is a family-friendly highlight of the Mardi Gras season! As Friday, January 24 - Community Mardi Gras Dance from 6:00 pm to 8:30 PM. Saturday, February 15 - Mardi Gras Craft Workshop 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Sunday, February 23 - Lake Charles Mardi Gras Parade & Zydeco Dance at 12:45 PM, 3:30 PM Chicken Run, 4:00 PM Mj Fontenot and The Country Boys, 5:00 PM Rusty Metoyer & The Zydeco Crush - Follow on Facebook Experience the glamour and grandeur of the 2025 Mardi Gras Royal Gala on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM, one of the crown jewels of Southwest Louisiana’s Mardi Gras celebrations! This dazzling event features a lavish promenade of Krewe royalty, showcasing kings and queens, royal dukes and duchesses, captains, courtesans, and jesters—each draped in extravagant, museum-quality costumes Sunday, March 2: Kids Take Over Mardi Gras! Sunday is all about family fun! Mardi Gras Children's Day happens inside the Lake Charles Event Center, featuring interactive activities, crafts, and games. Later, the Children’s Mardi Gras Parade rolls through, giving kids their very own spotlight in the celebration! Tuesday, March 4: Fat Tuesday Local revelers are gearing up for Mardi Gras on Tuesday, March 4, and Southwest Louisiana can expect five jam-packed days of festivities and celebrations. Friday, February 28 Celebrations kick off Lake Charles. Children’s Day Parade. March 2 at 3:30 p.m. Downtown Lake Charles. Second Line Stroll. March 4 at 1 p.m. Downtown Lake Charles. Motor Gras Parade. March 4 at 3 p.m. Downtown Lake Charles. Jeeps on Parade. March 4 at 1 p.m. Downtown Lake Charles. Mardi Gras Southwest Krewe of Krewes Parade. March 4 at 5 p.m. Downtown Lake Charles The earliest recorded Mardi Gras celebration in Southwest Louisiana was in 1882. However, the festivities died down soon after as Southwest Louisianans would face hard times, a reflection of what the country was going through. “With World War I and the Great Depression and World War II, that was a time of great struggle here in Lake Charles Mardi Gras weekend runs February 27- March 4, 2025 with a wide array of events from a chicken run, Krewe of Barkus dog parade, a gumbo cook-off, a Children's parade, and many more activities packing the calendar! February in Lake Charles is a joyful adventure packed with festive events, a sprinkle of romance, and heaps of excitement. Whether you're dancing the night away at the dazzling Mardi Gras Merchant's Parade, laughing out loud with Ron White, or enjoying a romantic Valentine's Day dinner for two, Louisiana's Playground is packed with unique ways to celebrate the season! Mardi Gras Children’s Day - The 2025 Mardi Gras Children’s Day takes place on Sunday, March 2nd, prior to the Children’s Day Parade at the Lake Charles Event Center in the Exhibition Hall! Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana is a family-friendly festival and even has an entire day devoted to kids. Whether you are in town during Mardi Gras, Halloween or any occasion in between, let Medearis Costumes help you look your best! Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: (337 It’s the climactic event of Mardi Gras in Lake Charles—the 2025 Mardi Gras Southwest Krewe of Krewes Parade happening Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (Fat Tuesday) at 5:00 PM! Get your purple, green, and gold ready, because it’s time to be a little gaudy and immerse yourself in the most thrilling and high-energy parade of the season. As the grand finale of the Mardi Gras celebrations, this parade The 2025 Mardi Gras Children’s Parade held on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM is a family-friendly highlight of the Mardi Gras season! As one of the longest and most well-attended parades leading up to Mardi Gras Day, this event is bursting with youthful energy and excitement. Children of Mardi Gras Krewe members, youth organizations, and businesses geared toward kids join local businesses 28th Annual World-Famous Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-Off Gather your gumbo pots as Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana, Inc. invites you to join us for the 28th annual World-Famous Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-Off at the Lake Charles Event Center Amphitheater. Encourage your Krewe members to attend and show off their Mardi Gras spirit. Celebrate Fat Tuesday with the high-octane excitement of the Mardi Gras Motor Gras Parade on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (Fat Tuesday) at 3:00 PM or immediately following the Jeeps on Parade! This spectacular event will showcase a dazzling lineup of hot rods, classic cars, and motorcycles, parading through the heart of Downtown and Midtown Lake Charles. Whether you’re a gearhead or just love the Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana has a colorful history dating back to the earliest recorded Mardi Gras celebration on Tuesday, February 21, 1882, when Momus, King of Mardi Gras, landed his royal yacht at the foot of Pujo Street. After this event, Mardi Gras was celebrated in a spirit that included Mardi Gras "runs" in Lake Charles and As Mardi Gras approaches, the City of Lake Charles reminds businesses, residents and motorists that Public Works personnel, along with local law enforcement agencies, will be placing barricades along the Ryan Street parade route, beginning Thursday, February 27, 2025.
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