Lake Charles loves a great party and with multiple festivals for nearly every occasion, there’s always a reason to celebrate! From pageantry and parades to exciting cultural showcases, our local festivals highlight the best of Southwest Louisiana. So which festival should you attend first? Take this personality-packed quiz to find out!

1. You've got a free weekend coming up. What's your ideal way to play?

 

A. You're enjoying all of nature's bounty and soaking up the sun by hunting, fishing, kayaking, or swimming.
B. You're learning more about diverse cultures by exploring museum exhibits and artifacts and listening to passionate storytellers and performers.
C. You're traveling to as many restaurants as you can to try their new dish, sample their cocktails, and praise their expert chefs for satisfying your appetite.
D. You're dancing the night away with friends and family at a concert, bar, or restaurant with live music.
festival goers visit food and drink tents at bord du lac park for the Fire on the Lake portion of the Food and Wine Festival
Browse food, wine, and spirits at the Louisiana Food and Wine Festival.

2. Which festival snack are you munching on?

 

A. You're trying all the must-have fair foods like funnel cakes and turkey legs or seasonal treats like crawfish and blue crabs straight from the boil.
B. You're savoring endless steaming bowls of gumbo, jambalaya, sauce piquant or étoufée seasoned to perfection.
C. You can't choose because you've tried too many delicious samples from award-winning restaurants and chefs.
D. You need something tasty and quick that can be enjoyed between musical sets. Snocones, nachos, hot links and anything hand-held is your go-to.
two men in orange shirts pose with their gumbo pot at the Mardi Gras gumbo cook-off
Sample delicious bowls of gumbo from Mardi Gras krewes during the World Famous Gumbo Cook-off.

3. You’re off the clock! What’s your go-to style?

 

A. Your style is versatile—a summer tank with sandals or a cozy winter sweater with boots, you'll be outside for a while and you want to be comfy.
B. Your style is intentional—something bright and colorful with a message or cultural ties.
C. Your style is elevated, but practical—something stylish and loose fitting because your plans always include a good meal or two.
D. Your style is flexible—something semi-casual that you can dress up with a stylish hat or dress down with comfy shoes.
woman in red floral dress smiling and dancing at smoke and barrel festival
Sample BBQ from talented pitmasters at Smoke & Barrel.

4. Which of the following is the most memorable?

 

A. Catching a trinket during a parade and meeting festival royalty
B. A meaningful conversation with someone from a different background 
E. Meeting local and regional chefs and leaving with a souvenir glass
B. Dancing with your loved ones or a perfect stranger to your favorite song
railroad days royalty rides on top of a vehicle and tosses candy
Enjoy live music and parade throws at Louisiana Railroad Days Festival!

Mostly A’s – Experience Southwest Louisiana Outdoor Festivals

You appreciate outdoor adventure, rich history, and small-town charm. Whether it's snapping a pic with festival royalty, savoring oversized turkey legs, crawfish, funnel cakes, and crab legs, or competing in quirky contests, you’ll find joy in simple traditions and endless sunshine at an outdoor festival in Southwest Louisiana. Plan your visit around the Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival, the Iowa Rabbit Festival, the Louisiana Railroad Days Festival, the Holly Beach Crab Festival, Red, White, Blue and You, or the Cal-Cam Fair.

 

Mostly B’s – Experience Southwest Louisiana Cultural Festivals

You appreciate history and diverse cultures and enjoy powerful storytelling and pageantry. Whether through musical selections, spirited parades, or mindfully curated exhibits at a museum, you’ll find joy in celebrating the future while honoring the past at a cultural festival in Southwest Louisiana. Plan your visit around Mardi Gras, the Black Heritage Festival, the Juneteenth Freedom Festival, or the Cajun Food and Music Festival.

 

Mostly C’s – Experience Southwest Louisiana Food Festivals

You appreciate an opportunity to savor delicious food and drinks. From lavish brunches and culinary competitions to extensive selections of premium wines, beers, bourbons and spirits, you'll find joy meeting the chefs and indulging in multi-day tasting experiences at culinary festivals in Southwest Louisiana. Plan your visit around the Louisiana Food and Wine Festival, Rum Revival, Rouge et Blanc Wine and Food Festival, and Smoke & Barrel: A Celebration of Fine Bourbon, BBQ & Whiskey.

 

Mostly D’s – Experience Southwest Louisiana Music Festivals!

You appreciate being laid-back, carefree, and on the dance floor. No matter the genre, your favorite type of music is live and you'll spend the day grooving to the beat. From local bands to nationally known artists, you'll find joy dancing the night away with friends new and old at a music festival in Southwest Louisiana. Plan your visit around Live at the Lakefront Concert, This is Home Fest, Downtown at Sundown, Marshland Festival, and Chuck Fest.

 

Plan Your Visit

No matter which festival matches your vibe, each one will leave you with lasting memories of a weekend well spent in Louisiana’s Playground. So grab your festival crew and celebrate the outdoors, cuisine, music and culture of Southwest Louisiana at one (or all) of these exciting festivals! For more trip inspiration check out Lake Charles Tours and Guides, What's New in Lake Charles, and Experience Budget-Friendly Bliss in Lake Charles over Vegas.