New Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu in Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES, La. (press release) – Visit Lake Charles welcomed a new landmark with the grand opening of the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu on Friday, April 17.
Located in the heart of the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District, the new museum is a cornerstone of more than $50 million in new cultural attractions debuting across the destination.
Replacing the beloved original museum lost during Hurricane Laura in 2020, the new Mardi Gras Museum is a larger, modern and immersive space.
Organizers share that the new museum features the world’s largest display of Mardi Gras costumes and is designed to celebrate the pageantry, artistry and traditions of one of the nation’s largest Mardi Gras celebrations outside New Orleans, while preserving the stories and craftsmanship that define Southwest Louisiana’s Carnival culture.
“This museum is the result of extraordinary collaboration, creativity and determination,” said Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles. “We are deeply grateful to the governmental agencies and community members who brought this vision to life. The new Mardi Gras Museum is a powerful symbol of Lake Charles’ resilience and a defining moment in our evolution as a world-class cultural destination.”
By Kathryn Shea Duncan, Visit Lake Charles
The Mardi Gras Museum offers a 6,000-square-foot journey through Lake Charles’ Carnival traditions. Guests will encounter:
- Elaborate gowns adorned with beadwork, feathers and sequins
- A series of vignettes highlighting costume designers and the creative process
- Exhibits exploring the history of local parades and more than 60 active krewes
Interactive experiences invite visitors to try on costumes, learn the art of float-building, ride in a simulated parade and experience Mardi Gras through sound, light and motion. Additional exhibits explore Cajun and Creole culture, King Cake traditions and the full Mardi Gras season, from Twelfth Night through Fat Tuesday. The museum also features:
- An on-site gift shop
- Shared boardroom space for krewes
- And availability for private event rentals
Organizers share that the museum is strategically positioned along the I-10 corridor, adding a compelling year-round arts and heritage draw to Lake Charles, complementing the destination’s festival calendar, culinary scene and outdoor adventures along the Creole Nature Trail.
The Mardi Gras Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and military personnel and $8 for children. Discounted group rates are available.
