2023 Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Events

Lake Charles, LA (KPLC) - Mardi Gras Day in Louisiana is on Feb. 21, but the events begin more than a month before! We’ll keep updating this list with events as they come in. If you have an event you’d like added to the calendar, email us at news@kplctv.com. Happy Mardi Gras!

Click HERE to see maps of this year’s Mardi Gras parades.

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Allen Parish

Feb. 20, 2023

• Soileau Mardi Gras: Chicken run hosted by Metro Soileau Downs begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Gumbo and Zydeco dance at Allen Parish Civic Center starts at 6 p.m.

Calcasieu Parish

Feb. 19, 2023

• Mardi Gras Children’s Day: 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Lake Charles Civic Center
• Mardi Gras Children’s Day Parade: 3:30 p.m. in Lake Charles

Feb. 20, 2023

• Mardi Gras Royal Gala: 7 p.m. at Lake Charles Civic Center

Feb. 21, 2023

• Iowa Chicken Run: 8 a.m. in Iowa. INFO
• Mardi Gras in the Zone: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in Lake Charles. INFO
• Second Line Stroll: 1 p.m. in Lake Charles
• Jeeps on Parade: 2 p.m. in Lake Charles
• Motor Gras Parade: 3 p.m. in Lake Charles
• The Main Event (aka Krewe of Krewes Parade): 5 p.m. in Lake Charles

*More specific information about Lake Charles events can be found at www.visitlakecharles.org

Jeff Davis Parish

Feb. 19, 2023

• CEASER’S Chicken Run

*More specific information about Jeff Davis events can be found at www.jeffdavis.org

PAST EVENTS

Beauregard Parish

Jan. 29, 2023

• DeRidder Mardi Gras Pageant

Feb. 18, 2023

• DeRidder Mardi Gras Parade

Calcasieu Parish

Jan. 7, 2023

• Mardi Gras 12th Night Kickoff Festival: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Lake Charles Civic Center ($10 admission, children 5 and under are admitted for free)

Feb. 11, 2023

• Lion Backers’ Children’s Run in Vinton: 7 a.m.
• Vinton Mardi Gras Parade: 12 p.m.
• DeQuincy Mardi Gras Parade: 2 p.m.

Feb. 16, 2023

• Mardi Gras Lighted Boat Parade: Canceled due to inclement weather.

Feb. 17, 2023

• Mardi Gras Merchants’ Parade: 7 p.m. in Lake Charles

Feb. 18, 2023

• Children’s Mardi Gras Stroll: 11 a.m. in Lake Charles at 3rd Street & 1st Avenue
• Krewe of Barkus Parade: 1 p.m. in Lake Charles
• Krewe of Omega Parade: 2 p.m. in Lake Charles
• World Famous Cajun Extravaganza & Gumbo Cook-off: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Lake Charles
• Krewe of Illusions Extravaganza: 7 p.m. at Lake Charles Civic Center
• Krewe of Cosmos Presentation: 6 p.m. in Sulphur

Jeff Davis Parish

Jan. 21, 2023

• Welsh Mardi Gras Ball: 6 p.m.

Jan. 28, 2023

• Welsh Mardi Gras Children’s Run
• Lake Arthur Mardi Gras Ball: 6 p.m.

Feb. 4, 2023

• Welsh Run & Parade

Feb. 11, 2023

• Lake Arthur Mardi Gras Run & Parade: Register
• Jennings Mardi Gras Run & Parade

Feb. 18, 2023

• Elton Mardi Gras: Saturday, Feb. 18, and Sunday, Feb. 19. Parade 3 p.m. Saturday. Chicken run 2 p.m. Sunday.
• Jennings Mardi Gras Festival: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Founders Park. The parade begins at 4 p.m. on Main St.

Vernon Parish

Feb. 18, 2023

• Leesville Mardi Gras Parade

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