Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
There are many ways to enjoy local sounds and delicacies in Lake Charles, Louisiana with more than 75 festivals and special events each year, including Mardi Gras, the Louisiana Pirate Festival, the Black Heritage Festival, the Calcasieu-Cameron Fair, and Chuck Fest. Savor delicious food at one of our culinary festivals, indulge your artistic side at an exhibit and art show, or catch a live concert just about every weekend! View our calendar of events to see what’s fun is going on this week in Louisiana's Playground.
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
MARDI GRAS
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Celebrate Mardi Gras - Lake Charles Style! Mardi Gras season is almost upon us! It's time to start planning your trip to Lake Charles, Louisiana this Carnival season! 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 Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana. Be sure to visit the Mardi Gras events page for a full lineup of Mardi Gras magic in Lake Charles!
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
IOWA CHICKEN RUN
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Celebrate Mardi Gras - Lake Charles Style! Mardi Gras season is almost upon us! It's time to start planning your trip to Lake Charles, Louisiana this Carnival season! 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 Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana. Be sure to visit the Mardi Gras events page for a full lineup of Mardi Gras magic in Lake Charles!
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
BLACK HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
The Black Heritage Festival takes place annually in March. Events include a Senior Citizen Bingo, a formal Gala/Dinner, a Parade and Day Festival, and a Gospel Extravaganza.
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
LOUISIANA PIRATE FESTIVAL
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
The Louisiana Pirate Festival 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, a car and bike show, bbq cook‑off, parade, entertainment, and much more. Festivities begin with the Buccaneer Landing when they take over the City of Lake Charles. Come and enjoy great live entertainment, showcasing Louisiana musicians, sample flavorful cuisine in the Galley Alley, Family Day on Saturday, and daily Pirate Parades through the festival ground and much more. The Louisiana Pirate Festival is committed to offering a unique experience for all ages and cultural backgrounds while giving visitors a chance to experience Southwest Louisiana's joie de vivre or "Joy of Life." Held annually around he first part of May and unique to Lake Charles, the Louisiana Pirate Festival celebrates the legend of pirate Jean Lafitte. The story goes that pirate Jean Lafitte docked his boat right on the sandy shore of Lake Charles and buried his treasure somewhere along its banks. On the first night, witness the cannon fire as the citizens of Lake Charles try to defend the seawall only to have the pirates capture the mayor, put him on trial and force him to walk the plank.
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
LOUISIANA FUR & WILDLIFE FESTIVAL
Louisiana, United States
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, exhibits, and a carnival complete with amusement rides. The main attractions for many participants, however, are unique contests such as duck and goose calling, trap setting, nutria and muskrat skinning, oyster shucking, and skeet shooting. The dog trials are always a favorite among hunters.
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
CAJUN MUSIC & FOOD FEST
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
The festival is held inside the Burton Coliseum in South Lake Charles on the corner of Gauthier Road and Gulf Hwy. The festival is held annually in July. On Saturday, get ready for great food, arts & crafts, live & silent auctions, cold beer, and live Cajun music. Then in on Sunday, head over to the CFMA building 3481 East Prien Lake Road in Lake Charles for a Cajun French Mass at the CFMA building. Then enjoy a coffee and Donut social after the mass.
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
CAL-CAM FAIR
Sulphur, Louisiana, United States
The Cal Cam Fair will be celebrates their 100th Anniversary, 1922-2022, in 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 Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 13-16, 2022 at the West Cal Arena & Events Center, 401 Arena Rd. in Sulphur.
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
RED WHITE BLUE & YOU
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
The annual Red White Blue & You Independence Day Celebration is held on July 4. Red White Blue & You includes a free, patriotic community concert , a salute to the Armed Forces, and fireworks over the lake. Spectators are encouraged to bring their picnic blanket or lawn chairs to the lakefront amphitheater to enjoy all of the festivities and food trucks. Every member of the audience will receive a complimentary flag to wave. The Mayor's Armed Forces Commission Queens will be selling festival t-shirts. The fireworks show is choreographed to music and played on speakers along the lakefront as well as simulcast on KBYS McNeese Radio 88.3 FM. Spectators can tune in from their car radio or listening device for the fireworks show that will begin at after sunset.
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
LOUISIANA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
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, celebrity guest chefs, local chefs, celebrity winemakers/proprietors, artisans, farmers, musicians, local craft spirits and beers, along with renowned wine, spirits, and beer brands from around the world. The inaugural festival will offer a wide variety of events for all tastebuds and budgets, from wine dinners and tasting events, to master classes and more.
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
SMOKE & BARREL
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Established in 2018, “Smoke & Barrel” event takes place on the lawn of the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse beneath a canopy of majestic live oaks and has quickly established itself as the premiere spirits tasting event in Southwest Louisiana. Smell the savory aroma of oak and hickory. Taste BBQ from leading pitmasters that’s been expertly paired with bourbon, scotch, and whiskey. Hear the foot-stomping sounds of top regional bands. See works from local artisans and craftsmen. Feel the unique culture and hospitality of Southwest Louisiana. Follow the smoke! Smoke & Barrel will entice the tastebuds of locals and travelers alike. We invite you to join us as we transform historic downtown Lake Charles into a celebration of the senses.
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
CHUCK FEST
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Chuck Fest will be held from 12-10 PM on Saturday, October 22, 2022 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 Grill’s 10th birthday in 2014, Chef Dave Evans founded Chuck Fest, is now one of Lake Charles’ largest annual, free festivals. Chuck Fest is a culmination of Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana’s music, arts, culinary scene, and culture.
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
THIS IS HOME FEST
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
This is Home Fest enhances the unique quality of life in SWLA by sharing music and culture that celebrate local and global artistry. This annual festival is held in April.
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
ROUGE ET BLANC
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Rouge et Blanc is an event series and celebration of food and wine hosted annually by Banners at McNeese State University. This event is the flagship fundraiser for Banners, an arts and cultural program that serves the five-parish area in Southwest Louisiana. Many wine experts and renowned area chefs volunteer to share their expertise with attendees. The Banners staff and community volunteers work hard to keep the wine dinners, seminars, and other events fresh and engaging each year
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
FLEA FEST
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Flea Fest is a truly unique market and festival that features acres of anything and everything! A bargain hunter’s dream, the annual show takes place each Fall. Flea Fest’s offerings include antiques, retro & vintage items, handcrafted items, toys, collectibles, unique clothing, art work, comic books, furniture, gifts, unique jewelry, plants, a farmers market and many other flea market style goods.
Visit Lake Charles - Louisiana's Playground
CHRISTMAS EVENTS
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana knows how to get in the Christmas spirit. With parades, concerts, food, and Santa Claus, Southwest Louisiana is the place to be to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Find our upcoming Christmas events below. Looking for more inspiration? View Blogs and Events Below. Light Displays & Carriage Rides Is there anything more festive this time of year than a twinkling holiday light display? We don’t think so either. Unless, of course, you’re soaking up those dazzling sites cuddled up in the back of a horse-drawn carriage – with a piping cup of hot cocoa in hand. Carriage rides along Shell Beach Drive take you under a canopy of lighted oak trees to see majestic twinkling houses. Or for a ride of a different kind, take a floating pontoon light tour with Lake Area Adventures! Sulphur’s Christmas on the Hill, Cruze’s Christmas Light Show in Moss Bluff and the Carlyss Light Show Spectacular all feature light displays synchronized with music playing through your car radio. And while pretty any time of year, Prien Lake Park’s giant Christmas tree is perfect for family photos. Special Holiday Performances Celebrate the season with a holiday concert by the Lake Charles Symphony, a stirring performance by the Lake Charles Civic Ballet and other productions from local theater companies. Christmas favorites like "The Nutcracker," "Twas the Night Before Christmas” and "A Christmas Story" usually hit the stage, but check out our full holiday calendar for exact shows and times. Holiday & Winter Festivals Christmas markets and holiday celebrations pop up in nearly every town throughout Southwest Louisiana and the fun doesn’t end after the holidays. Three of the area’s biggest and most beloved festivals take place in January and February, including the Louisiana Fur & Wildlife Festival, the Martin Luther King Jr./Family Day Festival, and the Southwest Louisiana District Livestock Show & Rodeo.