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. Mardi Gras Parade and Zydeco Dance - 4th Annual Lake Charles Mardi Gras. The parade will begin at 12:45 pm, at the Lake Charles Event Center. It will head East down Broad Street, turn North (left) on Shattuck Street, turn West (left) on Belden Street. The route is 4.1 miles long. Tuesday, Feb. 25 Friday, February 28, 2025 -- Mardi Gras Merchant's Parade Starts at 7:00 pm and rolls down Ryan Street to Sale Road in Lake Charles. Saturday, March 1, 2025 -- World Famous Cajun Extravaganza and Gumbo Cook-off inside the Lake Charles Event Center Exhibition Hall. 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 The celebrations will conclude with the Mardi Gras Southwest Krewe and Krewes Parade at 5 p.m. As the largest parade of SW La.’s carnival season, it features over 60 krewes on floats stocked 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! Downtown Lake Charles. Krewe of Barkus Parade. March 1 at 1 p.m. Downtown Lake Charles. Krewe of Omega Parade. March 1 at 2 p.m. Downtown Lake Charles. Lighted Boat Parade. March 1 at 7 p.m. 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 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. On Tuesday, February 13, the City of Lake Charles will observe the Mardi Gras Holiday. Several events, including the Krewe of Krewes Parade, will be held in the City. The following is an overview of activities planned for the day: Second Line Stroll Walking Parade – 1 p.m. Jeeps on Parade – 2:30 p.m. Motor Gras – 3 p.m. 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 Jeeps on Parade - The 2024 Mardi Gras Jeeps on Parade will take place on Fat Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. In conjunction with Seven Slots Society, jeep lovers unite to roll down Ryan Street in this jammin’ jeep parade. Motor Gras Parade - Will showcase hot rods, classics, and motorcycles in the Fat Tuesday parade, starting at 3 p.m. in downtown Lake 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 LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Routes for Mardi Gras parades in Lake Charles. Friday, Feb. 9 Merchants Parade - 7 p.m. 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 Get ready for the 2025 Mardi Gras Jeeps on Parade happening Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (Fat Tuesday) at 2:00 PM, a high-octane event that brings together jeep lovers for a fun and festive ride down the heart of Ryan Street! In partnership with the Seven Slots Society, this parade is a must-see for car enthusiasts and Mardi Gras revelers alike. Whether you’re a jeep owner or a spectator, the Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade. March 1 at 11 a.m. Youngsville. Queen Evangeline’s Parade. March 3 at 6 p.m. Downtown Lafayette to Cajun Field. King Gabriel’s Parade. March 4 at 10 a.m. Downtown Lafayette to Cajun Field. Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade. March 4 at 1 p.m. Downtown Lafayette to Cajun Field. Lafourche Parish parades Lake Charles Mardi Gras 2024 Parades and Routes. Lake Charles, Louisiana – On Sunday, February 4th, at 1 p.m., the Lake Charles Mardi Gras Parade will be held. The parade will begin at the Lake Charles Event Center and proceed along Broad Street. It will then turn onto Shattuck Street, followed by Belden Street, and finally Ryan Street. LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Sixty city workers from different divisions such as streets, drainage, grounds and recreation all came together to make sure the parade routes are well prepared for the
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |