It starts with Twelfth Night: Season of pageantry kicks off Saturday
Published 2:28 pm Friday, January 2, 2026
Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana officially kicks off the 2026 carnival season with the annual Twelfth Night celebration on Saturday at the Lake Charles Event Center, 900 Lakeshore Drive.
The long‑standing tradition, celebrated 12 days after Christmas, marks the ceremonial start of Mardi Gras and brings together outgoing royal courts, local krewes and revelers for an evening of pageantry and parties.
The event sets the tone for the weeks of festivities.
The highlight is the formal farewells of last year’s kings and queens, who will appear in full costume. Their procession leads into a lively mini‑parade of more than 60 krewes, each presenting its royalty and signature regalia.
Everyone gets to participate in Twelfth Night. Guests who find toy plastic “babies” in their slices of King Cake will win grand prizes. And if they don’t, they can dance and meet the season’s royalty.
A new addition this year is the Kid Zone, open from 4:30-6 p.m. on the main floor. Children will have the chance to take photos with Mardi Gras queens and enjoy activities including balloon animals, a craft table and cornhole.
Doors open at 5 p.m. with the program running from 6-10 p.m.
General admission is $10, and children ages 10 and younger are admitted free.
VIP tables for eight are available for $240 and include priority entry, reserved seating and access to VIP‑only areas. Tickets can be purchased online.
All proceeds benefit Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana.
a WHAT: Twelfth Night.
a WHERE: Lake Charles Event Center, 900 Lakeshore Drive.
a WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday.
a COST: $10; children 10 and younger admitted free.
