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Lake Charles is conveniently located off I-10, between Houston and New Orleans. The developing downtown and welcoming community make it the ideal place for a fun, easy getaway. Plan a long weekend with Southwest Louisiana's annual festival and fairs celebrating our Creole and Cajun heritage and food, stellar performances by regional and national acts at our multiple casino resort concerts, and thrilling sporting events and expos showcasing Louisiana's best outdoor recreation. In addition to these exciting annual events, the Lake Area hosts a fun, family-friendly Mardi Gras and 10-day Chuck Eats Restaurant Week extravaganza.
In Southwest Louisiana, we celebrate, well, everything! Summer is packed with festivals, sporting events, and Casino concerts. Hosts Brady and Anna are here to give you the rundown of what to expect from Lake Charles’ biggest celebrations over the next few months.
Join the Louisiana Railroad Days Festival for its 40th celebration since it evolved in the spring of 1984. The festival is held annually on the second weekend in April at the Railroad Museum Park, with many local businesses, clubs, churches, and schools participating. The…
The 3rd annual This is Home Fest will be Saturday, April 22, 2023! This time this is Home Fest is teaming up with the Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival for a unique festival experience. Two stages with all-star lineups, food booths and beverages, Louisiana crawfish, and fun…
The Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival is the Spiciest Event in Southwest Louisiana on Saturday, April 22, 2023! The festival promotes awareness of the crawfish season, the history of the industry, and how the seafood industry has benefited Louisiana in the past 200 years…
The Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana is bringing back the annual 2023 Spring Art Walk on Saturday, April 29, from 2 – 6 p.m. with multiple arts and music events happening simultaneously including the Downtown Lake Charles Jazz Festival and art openings…
The Louisiana Pirate Festival will take place May 4-14, 2023. The event is a multi-day festival held on the grounds of the Lake Charles Civic Center and Seawall. Pirates take over the city for two weeks for Contraband Days. The festival includes carnival rides, live music…
The 25th Downtown at Sundown Concert series kicks off this May. The concerts are free and open to the public. They will take place on Ryan Street in front of the Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center and the Parish Courthouse. On four consecutive Fridays from 6 pm-9 pm…
Experience world-class aircraft and high-flying thrills at the 2023 Kia of Lake Charles Chennault International Airshow as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. The event takes flight May 19-21 at Chennault International Airport. (Friday, May 19, is a twilight show with highlights…
The Holly Beach Crab Festival takes place June 9-11, 2023, at Holly Beach, located along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road. The event features kids' games and events, a crab cookoff, crab bingo, live music, axe throwing, food vendors, sand castle building lessons, a…
Welcome back to the 3rd annual Castaways Pride Fest, June 9-11, 2023, celebrating love & diversity in SWLA! 🌈 Friday, June 9: ⏰ 4 pm till late 💵 $10 cover charge (for a great cause!) 🏳️🌈 Charity Night featuring an amazing drag show 🎭 Hosted by the fabulous Erica…
Join Southwest Louisiana June 16-19, 2023, for four days of festivities centered around celebrating the history of African Americans and Juneteenth! Friday, June 16, 2023 - 5th Annual Movie Under the Stars This year’s movie will be “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.” In this 2017…
Join us on Tuesday, June 27th, 2023, at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to discover our next culinary champion! In conjunction with the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, Visit Lake Charles will host a Chuck Tastes Restaurant Night featuring tastings from Lake Charles area…
Plans are underway for the annual Red, White, Blue & You Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2023. The City of Lake Charles, Coca-Cola, Visit Lake Charles, and Entergy present the popular, family-friendly event. 2023 Event Details Coming Soon. Red, White, Blue & You…
The festival is held inside the Burton Coliseum in South Lake Charles on the corner of Gauthier Road and Gulf Hwy. The festival gets underway on Saturday, July 15, through Sunday, July 16, 2023. Get ready for great food, arts & crafts, live & silent auctions, cold beer…
The 2023 Marshland Festival details have not been announced yet. This year's festival will be held at the Lake Charles Civic Center, which guarantees an inside and air-conditioned experience. This year's line-up brings back some familiar faces and also introduces some new ones to…
The Louisiana Food & Wine Festival, a world-class culinary and beverage celebration, will take place in Lake Charles, Louisiana on September 14 – 17, 2023. It will be a showcase of culinary, beverage, and music that highlights Louisiana’s unique culture and heritage…
Gallery Promenade, the Arts Council of SWLA’s annual art space showcase, returns on Friday, September 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. with 16 galleries, studios and businesses opening their doors for an evening celebrating the spaces that work year-round to provide cultural resources…
The Banners Series is excited to announce the return of Rouge et Blanc on Saturday, October 7th, 2023, from 2 pm-6 pm. Save the date for Southwest Louisiana’s premier fine wine and gourmet food extravaganza, a sold-out event fifteen years and running. This year’s Grand Tasting…
The Cal Cam Fair will be celebrating our 100th Anniversary, 1922-2022, this October! Sulphur’s annual Cal-Cam Fair is a fall tradition for many Southwest Louisiana residents - and for good reason. Sponsored by the Cal-Cam Fair Association, the fair will take place…
Chuck Fest will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, in Downtown Lake Charles and will feature a full lineup of everything Louisiana. From bands to beers and more, Chuck Fest will a celebration of Louisiana culture! What initially began as an idea to celebrate Luna Bar and…
Join Smoke and Barrel on December 2, 2023, for a tasting of over 80 bourbons, whiskeys, and BBQ from out-of-this-world pit masters. Established in 2018, “ Smoke & Barrel ” takes place annually on the lawn of the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse beneath a canopy of majestic live…
January 13-14, 2023, in downtown Cameron, LA. Held annually. The "oldest and coldest" Southwest Louisiana festival, as it's billed by organizers, caters to all ages and interests, featuring parades, a gumbo cook-off, pageants, a 5k and 1-mile run/walk, dances, Cajun music…
The Southwest District Livestock Show & Rodeo returns to the Burton Coliseum Complex from January 28 - February 4, 2023. See the full schedule below and get your tickets at the box office or online. Saturday, Jan 28 9:00 AM Week-Long Heritage Trailride Begins, Leaving…
The 2023 Black Heritage Festival will take place March 9 - March 12. Events will include a Senior Citizen Bingo, a formal Gala/Dinner, a Parade and Day Festival, and a Gospel Extravaganza. There are several vendor and sponsorship opportunities. For specific info, signup, and…
Celebrating the economic and culinary impact rabbits have in Southwest Louisiana, the annual Iowa Rabbit Festival is a one-of-a-kind event. The festival will be held at Burton Complex, 7001 Gulf Highway, Lake Charles. The family-friendly event has some of the best music in the…
The 2023 Live at the Lakefront concert series is back by popular demand and continues to be a fantastic free-to-the-public music and art festival. For the 11th anniversary, Live @ the Lakefront (L@LF) will feature local bands, live art demonstrations, an outdoor art market , and…