Events This Weekend in Lake Charles
It doesn’t get any better than a weekend in Lake Charles, where ever-changing events and activities offer fun for all ages, from live music and sports, to holiday markets, outdoor movies, and spooky trails.
Main Events Overview
For some, weekend fun means tailgating before kickoff, shopping for farm-fresh produce at a farmer’s market, enjoying a concert, or taking a horse-drawn carriage ride. It’s all on deck in Lake Charles. Sports fans can catch a Cowboys game at McNeese State or cheer on the Gumbeaux Gators baseball team. Golfers can tee off at Scottish-inspired Mallard Golf Club, while Petro Bowl offers multiple lanes and includes a 40-game arcade.
The music scene shines on weekends, when local talents share the stage with traveling acts and jazz traditions. Enjoy the smooth sounds of Street Side Jazz Band during Sunday Jazz Brunch at Luna Bar & Grill. Jazz bands also perform regularly at Bodega Restaurant & Wine Bar. For bigger shows, you can catch national acts at casino resorts like L’Auberge Casino Resort, Golden Nugget Lake Charles, Delta Downs Racetrack Casino, and Horseshoe Lake Charles.
The farmers’ market lineup includes Downtown Charlestown Farmers Market and Lake Charles Farm & Table Market, which offer produce, meats, crafts, and snacks. Kids can explore the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Nature and Science Center, with its 15,000 gallons of aquariums and a stingray touch tank. Families can add a carriage ride at Almosta Ranch, and in summer, watch a movie under the stars in a park.
Seasonal Spotlight
During the holidays, Lake Charles glows with parades, light displays, and events, including the Light Up the Lake Christmas Celebration, featuring a Holiday Art Walk and a Lighted Boat Parade. Come spring, visitors can attend the Black Heritage Festival, join the Louisiana Railroad Days Festival, or tap their toes at This is Home Fest. Mardi Gras is a family affair, with events ranging from a gumbo cook-off to live entertainment, and the Mardi Gras Children’s Day, which features photo booths, meet-and-greets, and a children’s parade.
Summertime is about fun in the sun, from sand beach volleyball to the sandy shores of North Beach, which is also a great spot to watch fireworks during the Red, White, Blue & You! 4th of July Celebration. Festive — and spooky — fun awaits in fall. The Cal-Cam Fair offers carnival-style rides and attractions, while The Lost Hollows Haunted Attraction gets into the Halloween spirit with hayrides and a haunted trail. This season is also the time to shop at the Mistletoe & Moss Holiday Market or explore Flea Fest, an annual flea market festival offering acres of shopping. Ready to start planning? Browse below to check all the events this weekend and find the perfect way to make your time here unforgettable!
