Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras
Lake Charles Celebrates Jan. 6 - Feb. 13, 2024!
Mardi Gras in Lake Charles is in full swing with the culmination of all the events leading up to Mardi Gras Day, Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras krewes are gearing up for a festive season filled with parades, gumbo cookoffs, and plenty of King Cake. Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana is family-friendly and boasts over 60 krewes that participate in the Mardi Gras Southwest Krewe of Krewes parade, the culmination of the season on Fat Tuesday. Many bakeries, restaurants, and businesses also participate in the Mardi Gras season by offering traditional King Cakes, food, and drink options with a Mardi Gras twist or seasonal specials and events to celebrate the Mardi Gras spirit in Southwest Louisiana.
Mark your calendar: The season kicks off with the Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana Queens Pageant on Sunday, Nov. 5. The celebrations continue at Twelfth Night on Saturday, Jan. 6. Begin the daily Mardi Gras celebrations with the Lighted Boat Parade on Thursday at the Lake Charles Lakefront on the seawall followed by the Merchants' Parade on Friday. Saturday is a full day of events including the World Famous Cajun Extravaganza and Gumbo Cook-off in the exhibition hall of the Lake Charles Event Center, the Children's Mardi Gras Stroll, the Krewe of Omega Parade, and the Krewe of Barkus Parade.
The Mardi Gras Children's Day and Parade will take center stage on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. in the exhibition hall of the Event Center all finishing in time for Superbowl Sunday! The Cinderella moment of Mardi Gras, with the presentation of 2024's royal courts, takes place on Monday, Feb. 12 with the Royal Gala. Mardi Gras Day on Feb. 13, a.k.a. Fat Tuesday, features an array of parades including Second Line Stroll, Jeeps on Parade, Motor Gras Parade, all leading up to the Mardi Gras Southwest Louisiana Krewe of Krewes Parade. You can also enjoy the Downtown Mardi Gras Block Party, Mardi Gras in the ZONE, and the Iowa Chicken Run on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
