Full 2026 Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Event Schedule

Lake Charles, Louisiana (KNGT-FM) - Now that Christmas is in the books, many people across Louisiana are already looking ahead to their favorite season, Mardi Gras! The season will be here before you know it, and officially begins in early January with the Twelfth Night celebration.

Mardi Gras will arrive earlier than usual in 2026, with Mardi Gras Day falling on Tuesday, February 17. That means a fast and busy season filled with parades, balls, and family-friendly events across Southwest Louisiana.

READ MORE: Brand New Mardi Gras Store in Lake Charles

Strange Things People Throw at Mardi Gras Parades in Louisiana

The funniest part about Mardi Gras parades is you never really know what you might see, or catch, for that matter. A while back, we asked some of our listeners what some of the weirdest things they had ever caught at a Mardi Gras parade, and their answers were hilarious...

• Ramen Noodles
• Womens Undergarments
• Twinkies
• Ketchup Packets
• Used teddy bears
• Candy Cigarettes
• Plastic Silverware
• Empty Beer cans

READ THE FULL LIST: Strange Things Thrown At Mardi Gras Parades In Louisiana

2026 Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Events

From parades and gumbo cook-offs to children’s events and street celebrations, there will be something happening almost every weekend. Here are some of the events you're going to want to mark on your calendar for the 2026 Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Season...

January 3rd: Mardi Gras Twelfth Night, Lake Charles Event Center, 6 p.m. (doors open and Kids Zone at 4:30 p.m.)
January 10th: Meet Me at the Market, 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (monthly)
January  22nd: Mardi Gras Community Dance, Lake Charles Event Center, 6–8 p.m.
February 8th: Lake Charles Mardi Gras Parade & Zydeco Dance, Lake Charles Event Center, parade rolls at 1 p.m.
February 13th: Oak Park Elementary Mardi Gras Parade, Oak Park Elementary School, 12:30 p.m.
February 13th: Mardi Gras Merchants’ Parade, Downtown/Midtown Lake Charles, 7 p.m.
February 14th: Children’s Mardi Gras Stroll, Lakefront Promenade, 9–11 a.m.
February 14th: World Famous Gumbo Cook-Off, Lake Charles Event Center Amphitheater, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
February 14th: Krewe of Barkus Parade, Downtown Lake Charles, 1–1:30 p.m.
February 14th: Krewe of Omega Parade, Downtown Lake Charles, 2 p.m.
February 14th: Mardi Gras Lighted Boat Parade, Lakefront Promenade, 7 p.m.
February 15th: Mardi Gras Children’s Day, Lake Charles Event Center, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
February 15th: Mardi Gras Children’s Day Parade, Downtown Lake Charles (Ryan St. to Sale Rd.), 3:30 p.m.
February 16th: Mardi Gras Royal Gala, Lake Charles Event Center, 7 p.m.
February 16th: Townsquare Media's Lundi Gras Party, Cowboys Lake Charles, 7 p.m.
February 17th: Iowa Chicken Run, KC Hall, doors open 8 a.m., parade rolls at 10 a.m.
February 17th: Second Line Stroll, Downtown Lake Charles (Ryan St. to Sallier St.), 1 p.m.
February 17th: Jeeps on Parade, Downtown Lake Charles (Ryan Street), 2 p.m.
February 17th: Motor Gras Parade, Downtown/Midtown Lake Charles, 3 p.m.
February 17th: Krewe of Krewes Parade, Downtown/Midtown Lake Charles, 5 p.m.
February 17th: Mardi Gras in the ZONE, Lawn of 1015 Pithon Building, 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.