Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Feathers, fabulous frocks, and the fais-do-do can only mean one thing - it's Mardi Gras time in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This destination does it like no other! Mark your calendars for the Mardi Gras magic hitting the streets in Lake Charles from the Krewe of Barkus dog parade and Krewe of Krewes' Parade to a taste of the season with the World Famous Mardi Gras Gumbo Cookoff!

900 Lakeshore Dr
Lake Charles, LA

Mardi Gras parades are not confined to the streets of Lake Charles. The 2023 Lighted Boat Parade will take place on Feb. 16, and this parade is a Mardi Gras tradition that is unique to the Lake Area. Boats adorned with Mardi Gras decorations and lights delight festival-goers along the shores of Lake Charles with a dazzling display of Mardi Gras spirit! Price: Free Time: 7:00 PM Dates: February 16, 2023

900 Lakeshore Dr
Lake Charles, LA

The 2023 Merchants' Parade will take place on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. This parade is the first parade of the season in Lake Charles, and it's a festive way for the entire community - residents and visitors alike - to jump into the Mardi Gras spirit. The parade is a glowing night parade where participants include a wide array of local businesses and social organizations as they take to the streets on Mardi Gras floats from the Lake Charles Civic Center to Ryan Street, ending at Sale Road. Price: Free Time: 7:00 PM Dates: February 17, 2023

900 Lakeshore Dr
Lake Charles, LA

A parade of costumed pets and their owners makes for a whimsical, carnival atmosphere. The title of "Mystical Dog" is given to the most strikingly costumed participant. One of the most highly attended parades during the Mardi Gras season, the day-time parade attracts pet-lovers and families. To enter or learn more about the parade, contact Cumulus Broadcasting. As soon as the entry form is available, it will be posted on www.swlamardigras.com. This year, the parade will be on Gill Street at the Lake Charles Civic Center, starting at the amphitheater. Price: Free Dates: February 18, 2023

900 Lakeshore Dr
Lake Charles, LA

The 2023 Krewe of Omega Mardi Gras parade will be held in downtown Lake Charles on Saturday, Feb. 18. Check back for the parade time. The Krewe of Omega was formed in 1970 by Joseph Moffett Jr. and its purpose is to provide social activities for the young and elderly. The krewe also gives service awards to those who participate in the improvement of the community and its people. Krewe of Omega was formed to bring Mardi Gras activities to the black community. To this day, it is the only Southwest Louisiana krewe to hold its own parade. The parade is held each year on the Saturday prior to Mardi Gras. Parade Route: Start on the Northside of Civic Center to Broad St. heading east to Enterprise Blvd, left on Enterprise to Mill St., left on Mill St. back to Civic Center. Price: Free Dates: February 18, 2023

900 Lakeshore Dr
Lake Charles, LA

The 2023 Mardi Gras Children's Parade takes place on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 19, at 3:30 p.m. This parade is one of the longest and most well-attended parades leading up to Mardi Gras Day! Here, children of Mardi Gras Krewe members participate as well as kids' organizations and businesses geared toward the youth - in addition to local businesses and organizations. The parade lines up downtown and heads south on Ryan Street. Price: Free Time: 3:30 PM Dates: February 19, 2023

900 Lakeshore Dr
Lake Charles, LA

The 2023 Mardi Gras Jeeps on Parade will take place on Fat Tuesday at 2 p.m. In conjunction with Seven Slots Society, jeep lovers unite to roll down Ryan Street in this jammin' jeep parade. Price: Free Time: 2:00 PM Dates: February 21, 2023

503 US-90
Iowa, LA

Catch a chicken at the annual Mardi Gras Run on Tuesday, February 21, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 503 E Highway 90, in the town of Iowa. Doors open at 8 a.m., the Mardi Gras floats start lining up at 9 a.m. and the parade rolls at 10 a.m. The parade goes west on Hwy 90 stopping at local businesses and continues going through neighborhoods with the horses following behind. The captain blows his whistle at participating homes for the crews to get down and dance to zydeco music, which is played with an accordion and scrub board. If the families approve the dancing skills, they donate ingredients to the gumbo, and a chicken is thrown into the air. Sometimes the captain will throw multiple chickens in the air several times or more for the children to catch. The parade stops at Market Basket and the VF Factory Outlet where more chickens are released into the air. The parade then ends back at the KC Hall. The ingredients are then put into a pot with the chickens, and gumbo is served to the riders while the children play from 2-4 p.m. The chicken run concludes with a zydeco dance. The entry fee is $10 at the door for adults. The entry fee for children 12 and under is $5. For more information, please contact Rodney Victorian at (337) 842-1875 or Kimmy Bellard at (337) 884-1403.

900 Lakeshore Dr
Lake Charles, LA

The 2023 Main Event (aka Krewe of Krewes Parade) is the culmination of Mardi Gras in Lake Charles on February 21 at 5 p.m. Get your purple, green and gold – it’s time to be a little bit gaudy! The Mardi Gras season builds to this moment with the Krewe of Krewes Parade winding through four miles of Lake Charles tossing thousands of beads, cups, doubloons, and other fun items to cheering crowds. The atmosphere is nothing short of electric. It is the norm for individuals to line Ryan Street in Lake Charles the morning of the parade to claim their spot and tailgate with friends all day. Over 60 krewes participate on floats of varying sizes blasting music and creating a fun party atmosphere. All you have to do to enjoy yourself if hold up your hands and yell “Throw me somethin’ mister!” Downtown-Midtown Lake Charles - parade rolls at 5 p.m. More than 100 elaborate krewe floats, costumes, beads and more wind through the city in the culmination of the Fat Tuesday celebration. Parade Route: Will begin at the north end of Bord du Lac Drive, cross over Lakeshore Drive onto Pine Street, turn right onto Ryan Street and continue south on Ryan to Sale Road where the parades will end. Price: Free Time: 5:00 PM Dates: February 21, 2023

900 Lakeshore Dr
Lake Charles, LA

The Mardi Gras Motor Gras Parade will take place on February 21, Fat Tuesday, at 3 p.m. Downtown-Midtown Lake Charles will showcase hot rods, classics, and motorcycles. Price: Free Time: 3:00 PM Dates: February 21, 2023

Lake Charles, LA

Mardi Gras weekend, the Saturday before Fat Tuesday, on Feb. 18, the Children's Mardi Gras Stroll will take place to get everyone into the Mardi Gras spirit in Lake Charles. The line-up for the parade begins at 10:15 a.m. at the Ward 3 Cougar Stadium parking lot along 1st Avenue. The stroll will head south on 1st Avenue for a total of four blocks, and then, the stroll will head back north on 1st Avenue to the parking lot of the stadium. Children are encouraged to wear festive clothing and bring a decorated umbrella for the stroll. Call (337) 491-1280 for more information. Price: Free Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Presented By: The City of Lake Charles Dates: February 18, 2023

900 Lakeshore Dr
Lake Charles, LA

Purple, green and gold as far as the eye can see! Area groups strut their Mardi Gras spirit down Ryan Street to the tunes of Mardi Gras music in this walking parade. Price: Free Time: 1:00 PM Dates: February 21, 2023

Vinton

Louisiana, United States

Lion Backers' Chicken run kicks off at 7a.m., departing from Ted Lyon's ballfield. The Mardi Gras parade will begin at noon, starting at Vinton Middle School and running South down Horridge Street. Post-parade activities are to be determined. Time: 7:00 AM Presented By: Vinton City Hall Dates: February 11, 2023

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Feathers, fabulous frocks, and the fais-do-do can only mean one thing - it's Mardi Gras time in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This destination does it like no other! Mark your calendars for the Mardi Gras magic hitting the streets in Lake Charles from the Krewe of Barkus dog parade and Krewe of Krewes' Parade to a taste of the season with the World Famous Mardi Gras Gumbo Cookoff! Below is the complete list of parades, balls, and events celebrating the Twelfth Night and culminating on Mardi Gras Day, February 21, 2023, with each parade description including the parade route.