From a Cajun holiday season to the second-largest Mardi Gras in Louisiana, there are plenty of annual events in Lake Charles to mark on your calendar. Located in the heart of Southwest Louisiana, this lively destination is the place to be for its outdoor recreation, casino resorts, and an enchantingly delicious culinary scene. Called Louisiana’s Playground for a reason, Lake Charles’ festivals are family friendly and include live entertainment, scrumptious local food, and much more. Read on to see some of Lake Charles’ top events so you don’t miss out while you’re here. Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana The Mardi Gras season officially kicks off each year at the annual Twelfth Night Celebration, typically on January 6. Royal courts welcome more than 60 krewes as they usher in the new season’s royalty with regal costumes. This kicks off a month-long celebration with private krewe parties leading up to a long Mardi Gras weekend spanning Friday to Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras Day). The season is packed with family-friendly events including the World-Famous Gumbo Cookoff Extravaganza, Merchant’s Parade, Children’s Day and Parade, Krewe of Barkus Dog Parade, Zydeco dancing, Iowa Chicken Run and so much more! Check www.swlamardigras.com for a full spectrum of events! Live Music Concert Series Food Festivals Christmas and Holiday Events All the big Mardi Gras events and parades in Southwest Louisiana will get underway next Friday, February 25, and will run through Mardi Gras day on Tuesday, March 1st, 2022. There is a Gala, Gumbo Cookoff, and several parades scheduled for the five-day Mardi Gras event. It all gets underway on Friday, February 25th with the Merchants Mardi Gras Parade. Buddy Russ Merchants Parade with Bus loading... The Merchants parade starts at 7:00 pm and will leave the Lake Charles Civic Center and head down Lakeshore Drive to Mill Street. Takes a right on Mill Street and travels down to Ryan Street. Then they will turn South on Ryan Street and travel through the entire city and the parade ends at Sale Road. Then on Sunday, February 27th will be the Children's parade which starts at 3:30 pm. It will also leave the Lake Charles Civic Center and head down Lakeshore Drive to Mill Street. Takes a right on Mill Street and travels down to Ryan Street. Then they will turn South on Ryan Street and travel through the entire city and the parade ends at Sale Road. New Orleans Holds Citywide Mardi Gras Celebration Getty Imagesloading... Then the big Mardi Gras parade everyone looks forward to will be on Tuesday, March 1st, 2022. The Krewe Of Krewe's Parade will start at 5:00 pm and will leave the Lake Charles Civic Center and head down Lakeshore Drive to Mill Street. Takes a right on Mill Street and travels down to Ryan Street. Then they will turn South on Ryan Street and travel through the entire city and the parade ends at Sale Road. Get ready for a fun-filled weekend which basically will last for five days full of fun Mardi Gras events in Lake Charles. |