10 Must Experience Memorial Day Weekend Events 

The 2023 Memorial Day Holiday is observed on Monday, May 29, to commemorate those who have fallen in service to the country and is considered the unofficial start to summer for many families. There is a myriad of events to experience on this extended weekend. From patriotic commemorations to summer celebrations, check out your guide to Memorial Day Weekend events in Southwest Louisiana! Here are eight must-experience events taking place in the Lake Area, May 26-29. Browse our event calendar for a full list of things happening Memorial Day Weekend.

 

Downtown at Sundown Concert Series
Date: Friday, May 26


Downtown at Sundown Concert Series is a free, family-friendly concert series takes place for five consecutive Fridays, May 19-June 9. The festivities begin at 6-9 p.m. in front of the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center at 1001 Ryan Street. Attendees can enjoy live music, food, and craft vendors, tabletop galleries, children's activities, and more. Mason Trail and Zydeco Rhythm will headline this event, with the traditional sounds of Lake Charles accordions filling the downtown streets.

 

Southwest Louisiana Farmers Markets
Dates: Saturday, May 27


Spend your Saturday morning shopping at four Lake Area farmers markets, sifting through handmade crafts, home goods, fresh produce, and homemade food items. Choose from the following farmers markets: Westlake, 108 Trade Community, Charlestown, and Moss Bluff. Admission is free. 

 

2023 Annual Crawfish Cook-off
Date: Saturday, May 27


Crying Eagle Brewing and The Crawfish Stop will be hosting their 2nd Annual Crawfish Cook-Off on Saturday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at the microbrewery. Guests can purchase a tasting ticket to try the contestants' crawfish. Participants will be judged on the following categories on the following: peel-ability, spice and flavor, unique add-ins, and more. Tasting tickets are $15. Contestant entry is $125.
 

Opening Day at SPAR Waterpark
Date: Saturday, May 27


Be the first to welcome SPAR Waterpark from a long winter break this year, May 27-Aug. 6. This family-friendly waterpark is the ultimate place to celebrate summer with more than 10 water park attractions, including water slides, toddler play areas, a lazy river, and pools ranging from 2-5 feet deep. Admission starts at $6.

 

Zydeco Brunch at Panorama Music House
Date: Saturday, May 27


Offering the best of both worlds, breakfast and lunch, brunch is typically a weekend affair, where menu items consist of bloody Marys and mimosas alongside waffles, French toast, and mounds of eggs, grits, and breakfast meats. But brunch is more than a meal in Lake Charles; it’s an event. Panorama Music House is adding a Zydeco Brunch event to the Lake Charles brunch scene every Saturday in May from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. May 20 features Brian Keith & Zydeco Legacy, and Memorial Day weekend, May 27, will showcase Gerard Delafose & the Zydeco Gators. Also, on the night of May 27, Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster, a renowned New Orleans artist, will be performing at Panorama Music House

 

Le Chein Cookers Ductch Oven Cooking Challenge
Date: Saturday, May, 27

 

On the fourth Saturday of each month, the smells of incredible dishes prepared by Dutch-oven professionals pour from Sam Houston Jones State Park. Memorial Day Weekend is the annual Le Chien Cookers Challenge, where the morning begins with demonstrations and technique perfections with samplings of the various prepared dishes at noon. The State Park entry fee is $3 per person, and it is free to come to learn and taste the dishes. 

 

Almosta Ranch Memorial Weekend Swimming
Dates: May 27-29


Almosta Ranch is an oasis for outdoor lovers, animal lovers, and families that appreciate country living. It's filled with activities for all ages, including a petting zoo, pony rides, hiking, ranch crafts, and more. For three days, Almosta Ranch encourages guests to take a dip in their swimming pond, and vets get in free. Their fairly new pond features a zip-line and white sand beach area. Guests are encouraged to bring beach chairs, beach umbrellas, barbecue pits, food, and drinks. There will also be concession stands with food and drinks for purchase. Admission starts at $5.

 

Steve Trevino - America's Favorite Husband Tour
Date: Sunday, May 28


Golden Nugget Casino Lake Charles will host Steve Trevino's “America’s Favorite Husband” Tour. The show begins at 8 p.m. Steve's relatable approach to the comedic aspects of marriage affirms his status as one of the country’s fastest-rising comics, viewed over 223 million times, selling out shows coast-to-coast, amassing over 2 million total social media followers, and headlining special for Amazon, NETFLIX, Showtime and more. He can “speak wife fluently,” he never calls “the guys” for help on a home project, and he knows better than to “make his own decisions” since decision-making is a privilege reserved solely for his wife, Renae. Ticket prices start at $20.

 

Art in the Park
Date: Monday, May 29

 


Art in the Park is an outdoor, family-friendly event that offers arts and crafts activities for all ages. Art classes are led by local artists, and craft materials are available at no cost. Park locations rotate frequently; this event will be located at Riverside Park

 

Avenue of Flags & History Walk 
Date: Monday, May 29


The Avenue of Flags & History Walk is a tradition nearly 40 years in the making, with over 1,000 casket flags on display. A new addition this year is the History Walk which features all renditions of the American flag from the Betsy Ross flag to the present day. State flags accompany each historic flag as the United States added to the union along the way. As you walk along the historic flags, QR codes are placed to explain the significance of the flags in a historical context to broaden the understanding of the formation and evolution of the country as we know it today.

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