Below is the complete list of parades and events kicking off on Twelfth Night and culminating on Mardi Gras Day, March 4, 2025, with each parade description including the parade route. Submit a Mardi Gras Event 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. 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. Admission is $10 per person and 5 and under are free. 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, 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 granddaddy Mardi Gras Southwest Krewe of Krewes Parade winds four miles through Lake Charles, with more than 100 elaborate floats tossing thousands of beads, cups, doubloons and other fun items to cheering crowds along the way. Celebrations kick off with the Mardi Gras Merchants’ Parade. The parade starts at 7 p.m. and will depart from the Lake Charles Event Center and travel down Ryan St. to Sale Rd. On Tuesday, March 4, 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. 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 This is the week we have all been waiting for, Mardi Gras week the celebration gets underway this Friday, February 9th, and will run through Tuesday, February 13th, 2024 which is Mardi Gras day. On Friday, the Merchant's Parade will be held in Lake Charles. The floats will line up and the parade will start at 7:00 pm. 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! Whether you’re a gearhead or just love the festive spirit of Mardi Gras, this parade is a must-see! Parade Route The parade kicks off at the Lake Charles Event Center, rolling down West Pine Street to Ryan Street, and concluding at Sale Road. Participant Information Entry Deadline: Forms are due no later than 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. 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 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. 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 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 Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana events include the Twelfth Night activities, Boat Parade, Merchants' Parade, Gumbo Cookoff, Children's Day activities and the Children's Parade, the Royal Gala, and all parades taking place on Mardi Gras day in downtown Lake Charles. Contact: Reach Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana by calling (337) 425-8623. Mardi Gras magic takes to the water with the 2025 Lighted Boat Parade, a one-of-a-kind tradition in the Lake Charles area! On Monday, March 2 after the Children's Parade, festival-goers will gather along the scenic shores of Lake Charles to enjoy a dazzling parade of boats decked out in sparkling lights and vibrant Mardi Gras decorations. Lake Charles Mardi Gras events: Friday, Feb. 28. Mardi Gras Merchants' Parade rolls at 7 p.m., from Lake Charles Event Center, along West Pine Street, down Ryan Street and finishing at Sale Road.
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