Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Mardi Gras season is almost upon us! Celebrations begin on Twelfth Night, January 6, and commence on Mardi Gras Day, Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Lake Charles Mardi Gras krewes are gearing up for a festive season filled with parades, gumbo cookoffs, and plenty of King Cake. Lake Charles Mardi Gras is family-friendly, and it boasts over 60 krewes that participate in the Krewe of Krewes Parade which is 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.

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Family-Friendly Atmosphere: In Lake Charles, you can experience lavish costumes and the big city pageantry of Mardi Gras along with a family-friendly feel. In fact, there is a whole day dedicated to children and family activities during the celebration, and parade routes are filled with families lining the streets, so that makes Mardi Gras in Lake Charles a unique place to experience Carnival.

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Royal Presentations: Lake Charles has over 50 krewes and is second in the state only to New Orleans with the number of krewes participating in Mardi Gras activities. Lake Charles is also the only place in the state where the public is invited to see the ornate costumes the royal courts from all local krewes in one place, both at the Twelfth Night evening, usually held on January 6 each year, as well as the Royal Gala, held the evening before Mardi Gras day. In other parts of the state non-krewe members would have to be invited to each krewe's ball in order to see the royal court in their fine feathers! It's a nominal fee that gets the public in the door, and jeans are the comfort clothes of choice for these presentations! Also, at the Twelfth Night presentation of courts, each person walking in the door gets a piece of King Cake, and grand prizes are given out to lucky patrons.

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Glitzy Costumes: The costumes are huge at each presentation with some weighing more than 65 pounds. The court royalty has no problem wearing the costumes and even taking a bow before the Mardi Gras queens and Duke or Duchess of Misrule at the front of the stage. It's a great way to get a look at the kings, queens, royal dukes and duchesses, captains, courtesans and jesters in full costume.

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Planning Your Trip: Mardi Gras weekend kicks off on the Friday before Mardi Gras day with the Merchants' Parade, and the weekend holds all sorts of fun from gumbo cook-offs to Cajun food and music, Children's activities, various parades, and the grand finale is the Krewe of Krewes' Parade on Mardi Gras day. Check the Mardi Gras Calendar for full descriptions of activities and times.

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Mardi Gras weekend runs February 16 - 21, 2023 with a wide array of events from a chicken run, Krewe of Barkus dog parade, a gumbo cook-off, Children's parade and many more activities packing the calendar! The magic of the Mardi Gras season culminates with the finale of the Krewe of Krewes Parade on Mardi Gras Day Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

You not only can, but you absolutely should bring the kids! Mardi Gras in Lake Charles is a family-friendly jubilee with special activities catered to children and teens. They’ll enjoy all of the history, pageantry, and traditions of this one-of-a-kind celebration in a safe, welcoming atmosphere. For ideas on what to do with the kids while you’re here, check out the top Mardi Gras family activities on tap.

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

The granddaddy Krewe of Krewes Parade winds four miles through Lake Charles, with more than 100 elaborate floats tossing thousands of beads, cups, doubloons and other fun items to cheering crowds along the way. Pets and pet lovers strut their stuff to adoring fans during the popular Krewe of Barkus Parade, while a sea of purple, green and gold delights the young (and young at heart!) at the Children’s Parade. Jeep lovers unite for the jammin’ Jeeps on Parade, hot rods and classic cars take center stage at the Motor Gras Parade, local businesses and social organizations make festive floats for the Merchants Parade, and Mardi Gras music fills the air during the festive Second Line Stroll.

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

What Do I Wear for Mardi Gras? Although Louisiana summers are hot, carnival season in January-Early March brings milder temperatures ranging from the mid-40s at night to the mid-70s during the day. Be sure to pack for cooler weather and bring light layers you can easily add or remove based on current conditions. Comfortable shoes are a must, too. There’s a lot of walking – and dancing – to be done! Remember to wear the traditional colors of purple, green and gold. Visit the many local party and boutique stores in Lake Charles to pick up festive shirts, hats, and beads to wear during the celebrations. Pro Tip: Bring a poncho for the rain and an "upside down" umbrella to catch beads! Parade float-riders love to try to throw beads directly into the umbrellas that line the route!

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

What Do I Bring to a Parade? A tote for all of your Mardi Gras catches Lawn chairs for your family krewe Blankets for wrapping up in or sitting on An ice chest with plenty of snacks and drinks Wet wipes and/or tissues for whipping your hands A rain coat/poncho, because a short rain storm isn't out of the norm in South Louisiana Scope out restroom options ahead of time

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

February 21, 2023 February 13, 2024 March 4, 2025 February 17, 2026 February 9, 2027 February 29, 2028 February 13. 2029 March 5, 2030 February 25. 2031 February 10, 2032 March 1, 2033 February 21, 2034 February 6, 2035 February 26, 2036 February 17, 2037 March 9, 2038 February 22, 2039 February 14, 2040 March 5, 2041 February 18, 2042 February 10, 2043 March 1, 2044 February 21, 2045 February 6, 2046 February 26, 2047 February 18, 2048 March 2, 2049 February 22, 2050

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

A krewe is any group or organization of revelers to band together to host a Mardi Gras ball, ride on a Mardi Gras parade float and participate in social events throughout the year. In Southwest Louisiana, there are more than 50 krewes, a number that continues to grow each season. Each krewe is a part of a larger organization called Krewe of Krewes that formed in 1979 when the area's krewes joined together to create a parade for the community enjoyment. Now the culmination of Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras festivities, the Krewe of Krewes Parade was first held in 1980. Just as one pot of gumbo varies from the next, krewes are formed for many different reasons and one can gain acceptance to a krewe in many different ways. Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras krewes offer a fun way for all families to get involved in the Carnival season. Read on for more information on area krewes and perhaps find a way to get involved in one yourself!

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana has a colorful history dating back to 1882, when Momus, King of Mardi Gras, landed his royal yacht at the foot of Pujo Street. After this event, Mardi Gras was celebrated in a spirit which included Mardi Gras "runs" in Lake Charles and surrounding areas. With the onset of a World War, this joyous occasion went "underground" for many years and was almost forgotten by the generations that had not experienced the festivities of the Mardi Gras season first hand. However, there were a few that wanted to keep this tradition alive, and the first Mardi Gras Ball in this area was staged in 1964. Mardi Gras did not experience a full revival in Lake Charles until 1979, when several Krewe captains formed the "Krewe of Krewes" with the prime purpose of parading and promoting Mardi Gras for the Southwest Louisiana area. Just six years later in 1985, Mardi Gras of Imperial Calcasieu, Inc. was formed by a group of civic-minded volunteers, further enhancing and enlarging the modern day Mardi Gras celebration. Mardi Gras of Imperial Calcasieu celebration begins January 6 with the annual Twelfth Night Revelry. The entire community, along with anyone who might wish to sample our Southwest Louisiana atmosphere during a most exciting season, is encouraged to come out and join in the merriment of Mardi Gras.

Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Mardi Gras Fun Facts: One of the earliest recorded Mardi Gras celebrations in Southwest Louisiana is believed to have taken place nearly 140 years ago, back on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 1882. Southwest Louisiana’s Mardi Gras celebration is the second-largest in the state behind New Orleans, featuring more than 60 different krewes. The average Mardi Gras costume weighs more than 50 pounds and construction for next year’s costumes often begins just days after this year’s event. Most of the caps that you see on the costume-wearers began as a simple piece of aluminum foil. That the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu contains the largest collection of Mardi Gras costumes in the world. Cajun Mardi Gras costumes are often made of shirts and pants that feature large, colorful fringes. The tall, pointy hats typically seen at a Cajun Mardi Gras celebration are called “capuchins” (pronounced cappy-shons) and are meant to parody the headdresses of France's noble ladies. The first Miss Mardi Gras of Imperial Calcasieu was crowned in 1983 and the title went to Miss Christine Marie Campbell. The Royal Gala held on Lundi Gras each year is the only event in the state that allows the public to see the Krewe's Royal Courts in costume.