February 2026 Lake Charles Mardi Gras Events

LAKE CHARLES, La – February is full of Lake Charles Mardi Gras events, from parades to mask-making and more. As we approach the last two weeks of Mardi Gras, it’s time you don’t miss out on any local celebrations near you.

Whether it’s a weekend celebration to look forward to, a weeknight event to liven your day or a Mardi Gras Day activity for the kiddos while they’re out of school, the City of Lake Charles has it all listed in its event calendar. Enjoy the convenient, chronological list of all events with details and links below.

Lake Charles Mardi Gras Events

Feb. 5: King Cake Painting Party

When: Feb. 5, 6 – 8 p.m.

Where: Grounded in Nature LLC, 115 W Oak Ln.*parking at Rikenjacks

Price: $30

Create your own painted and blinged king cake on canvas with glitter and rhinestones while snacking on king cake.

Feb. 6-8: Mardi Gras Warm Up

When: Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. until Feb. 8 at 11 a.m.

Where: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park RV Resort Lake Charles, 4200 Luke Powers Rd.

Parades, beads, masks and music — warm up for Mardi Gras with a golf cart parade and a festive masquerade dance party. Live performance by Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys.

Feb. 7: Vinton Mardi Gras Festival & Chicken Run

When: Feb. 7, 8:30 a.m.

Where: Grounds south of Vinton City Hall, Horridge St., Vinton, La, 70668

Price: Festival – free, Chicken Run – $15

A chicken run through Vinton, all-day live music featuring country, rock, Zydeco and Cajun favorites, a parade, delicious food, vendors and family fun.

Feb. 8: Lake Charles Mardi Gras Parade & Zydeco Dance

When: Feb. 8, 1 p.m.

Where: Lake Charles Event Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles, La

The 4.1-mile route heads east down Broad St., turns north on Shattuck St. and then west onto Belden St. Don’t miss the colorful floats, lively ATVs and horses parading through the streets of Lake Charles.

After the parade, head over to the Habibi Shriners Center (2928 Pack Rd.) for the official after-party, where the fun continues with live music and exciting competitions.

Feb. 12: Historic City Hall Mardi Gras Mask Making

When: Feb. 12, 5 – 7 p.m.

Where: Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center. 1001 Ryan St.

Price: Free

Prepare to let the good times roll with Mardi Gras Mask Making on Thursday, Feb. 12, and then head, with your mask, to the Children’s Mardi Gras Stroll on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Feb. 12 & 19: Courir de Mardi Gras Mask Making

When: Feb. 12 & 19, 6 – 8 p.m.

Where: Imperial Calcasieu Museum, 204 W. Sallier St.

Price: $30

Local artists will guide you through creating a one-of-a-kind mask inspired by this beloved Louisiana tradition, Courir de Mardi Gras.

The crafting bar will be fully stocked with exciting materials, including feathers, pom poms, rhinestones, ribbons and more. Perfect for beginners and experienced crafters alike.

Feb. 13-15: Louisiana Mardi Gras

When: Feb. 13 at 3 p.m. until Feb. 15 at 11 a.m.

Where: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park RV Resort Lake Charles, 4200 Luke Powers Rd.

Experience traditional Louisiana Mardi Gras with costume contests, site decorating, parades, pets and more.

Feb. 13: Mardi Gras Merchants’ Parade (MGSWLA)

When: Feb. 13, 7 p.m.

Where: Downtown/Midtown Lake Charles, Ryan St., Lake Charles, La

Price: Free

The parade begins at the Lake Charles Event Center, travels along West Pine St., continues down Ryan St. and finishes at Sale Rd. Participant information:

• Entry Deadline: Feb. 2
• Entry Form: Click here to download the form.

Feb. 14: Children’s Mardi Gras Stroll

When: Feb. 14, 9 – 11 a.m.

Where: Lakefront Promenade, 900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles, La

Price: Free

The parade, which debuted in 2022, is a walking parade designed specifically for children ages 3-12. Children are encouraged to decorate their Mardi Gras umbrellas and prepare to show off their Mardi Gras spirit! Registration will begin at 9 a.m. and line-up will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Lakefront Promenade.

Young revelers will meet on the North side of Millennium Park, then parade down Gill Street to Bord Du Lac before returning to Millennium Park.

Feb. 14: Krewe of Barkus Parade

When: Feb. 14, 9 – 11 a.m.

Where: Corner of Ryan St. and Broad St.

Price: Free to attend. $20 cash for dog entries (Registration starts at 11:30 a.m.)

Costumed pets and their owners parade through Downtown Lake Charles, creating a carnival-like atmosphere that’s both fun and family-friendly.

Feb. 14: World Famous Gumbo Cook-off (MGSWLA)

When: Feb. 14, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Where: Lake Charles Event Center Amphitheater, 900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles, La

Price: $10 presale, $15 day of event, children 5 & under are free

This Mardi Gras tradition brings together local krewes, culinary pros and gumbo enthusiasts to whip up hundreds of gallons of gumbo. Starting at 11 a.m., the public can begin the tastings.

Feb. 14: Louisiana PokeFest Mardi Gras Show

When: Feb. 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Where: VFW Post 2130, 5676 Lake St.

Price: $5, free for kids under 12

Feb. 14: Barkus Parade After Party

When: Feb. 14, 1 – 4 p.m.

Where: Black Bayou Boarding Downtown, 500 Broad St. G

Personal drinks and ice chests are welcome. Snacks, sodas and water available. Walk to the back of the building, where parking is, and enter through the side glass door near handicap parking on the east side of the building. Owners must remain with their dogs and are responsible for them.

Feb. 14: Krewe of Omega Parade

When: Feb. 14, 2 p.m.

Where: Downtown Lake Charles, Lakeshore Dr.

Price: Free

Founded in 1970 by Joseph Moffett Jr., the Krewe of Omega was established to bring Mardi Gras festivities to the Black community while fostering social connections for both the young and elderly. As the first and oldest krewe in Southwest Louisiana to host its own parade, this event is a cornerstone of local Mardi Gras traditions.

Feb. 14: Mardi Gras Lighted Boat Parade (MGSWLA)

When: Feb. 14, 7 p.m.

Where: Lakefront Promenade, 900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles, La

Price: Free

After the Gumbo Cook-Off, festival-goers will gather along the scenic shores of Lake Charles to enjoy a dazzling parade of boats decked out in sparkling lights and vibrant Mardi Gras decorations.

Feb. 14: Bacardi Gras

When: Feb. 14, 8 p.m.

Where: Blue Martini – Golden Nugget, 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd.

Feb. 15: Mardi Gras Children’s Day

When: Feb. 15, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where: Lake Charles Event Center Exhibition Hall, 900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles, La

Price: Free

Children’s Day includes exhibitions of performing arts, technology and science, safety and health and arts and crafts – all interactive and hands-on.

Feb. 15: Children’s Day Parade

When: Feb. 15, 3:30 p.m.

Where: Downtown Ryan St. to Sale Rd.

Price: Free

Children’s Day includes exhibitions of performing arts, technology and science, safety and health and arts and crafts – all interactive and hands-on.

The parade begins at the Lake Charles Event Center and travels south on Ryan St., concluding at Sale Rd.

Participant Information:

• Entry Deadline: Feb. 2
• Entry Form: Click here to enter.

Feb. 16: Mardi Gras Royal Gala (MGSWLA)

When: Feb. 16, 7 p.m.

Where: Lake Charles Event Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles, La

Price: $10 per person. Free for children 10 and under

Feb. 16: Lundi Gras Party Featuring The Hype

When: Feb. 16, 9 p.m.

Where: Panorama Music House, 329 Broad St., Lake Charles, La

Price: $10+, tickets available online

Classic night-before-Mardi-Gras throwdown — beads flying, drinks flowing and the dance floor packed.

Feb. 17: Iowa Chicken Run

When: Feb. 17, 8 a.m.

Where: KC Hall, 503 U.S. Hwy. 90, Iowa, La

Prices: $15 at the door for adults and $10 for kids

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.

Feb. 17: Mardi Gras in the ZONE

When: Feb. 17, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Where: Lawn of 1015 Pithon Building along Ryan St., between Gill and Kirby St.

Prices: Free

Attendees can enjoy free hot dogs, popcorn, Coca-Cola products and Kona Ice. Kids can enjoy a bounce house, activity tent, inflatable games and laser tag.

Feb. 17: Fat Tuesday Downtown Block Party

When: Feb. 17, 12 – 5 p.m.

Where: Panorama Music House, 329 Broad St., Lake Charles, La

• Second Line Stroll, 1 p.m.
• Jeeps on Parade, 2 p.m.
• Motor Gras Parade, 3 p.m.
• Krewe of Krewes Parade, 5 p.m.

Feb. 17: Coffee:30 Cafe Mardi Gras Takeover

When: Feb. 17, 12 – 6 p.m.

Where: Coffee:30 Café, 3420 Ryan St., Lake Charles, La

Enjoy live performances on the Showtime Stage by:

• Dani Lacour
• Justin Martindale
• Taylor Morgan

Come dressed in your Mardi Gras best and let the good times roll with great music, handcrafted drinks and classic New Orleans-style beignets.

Feb. 17: Family-Friendly Paint Sesh! Mardi Gras Gator

When: Feb. 17, 2 – 4 p.m.

Where: Painting with a Twist, 2712 Country Club Rd.

Price: $29