Lake Charles Celebrates Twelfth Night to Start Mardi Gras 2026
Lake Charles, La [KNGT-FM] - Now that Christmas is over and the New Year holiday is tomorrow, it's almost time for Louisiana's second favorite holiday, Mardi Gras. That's right, Mardi Gras season is upon us, and it gets started this weekend in Lake Charles with the annual 12th Night celebration.
You may be asking yourself, wait, what? Mardi Gras 12th night is already happening? Yes, it is, and that is because the Mardi Gras is coming really early for the 2026 season. Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, this year, so the season has to get started immediately.
The first event of the season is this Saturday night, January 3rd, with 12th night taking place inside the Lake Charles Event Center Coliseum. What is 12th night, you ask?
Read More: Mardi Gras In Southwest Louisiana
Twelfth Night is twelve days after Christmas and marks the beginning of the Mardi Gras season, and ends on the Tuesday before Lent begins that Wednesday. At the event, you will see the Mardi Gras royalty of 2025 say their goodbyes as they are all dressed up in their costumes.
Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana has already revealed the lineup of Krewe's that will be participating in this year's 12th night celebration. They posted the info on social media.
This year's 12th night will be on January 3, 2026, at the Lake Charles Event Center. There will be a Kid Zone, which will open up at 4:30 PM. The Royal Presentation begins at 6:00 PM, and kids 10 & under get in free. Follow this link to get your tickets for the event.
Our very own Scotty Schadler and Chaz from Gator 99.5 will be your hosts this year.
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Gallery Credit: Bruce Mikells
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