Local revelers are gearing up for Mardi Gras on Tuesday, March 4, and Southwest Louisiana can expect five jam-packed days of festivities and celebrations.

Friday, February 28

Celebrations kick off with the Mardi Gras Merchants’ Parade. The parade starts at 7 p.m. and will depart from the Lake Charles Event Center and travel down Ryan St. to Sale Rd.

Saturday, March 1

The 2025 Children’s Mardi Gras Stroll is from 9 to 11 a.m. Young revelers will parade Millennium Park with decorated umbrellas and the Mardi Gras spirit. The stroll is designed for children ages 3-12. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Line-up is at 9:30 a.m. at the Lakefront Promendade.

Also beginning at 9 a.m. is the 2025  World Famous Cajun Extravagnza and Gumbo Cook-Off at the Event Center Ampitheater. Krewes, culinary artists and gumbo-lovers gather annually for the competition. In addition to gumbo tasting, guests can enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, and raffles.

Tasting begins at 11 a.m. The event ends at 3 p.m.

The Krewe of Barkus Parade rolls out at 1 p.m. The annual event features costumed pets and their owners as they parade down Broad St.. The entry fee for participating dogs is $20. Re begins at 11:30 a.m. or can be submitted to Cumulus Broadcasting.

The Krewe of Omega Parade will start at 2 p.m. The parade will begin at the Event Center, travel along Broad St. to Enterprise Blvd., and loop back to the Event Center.

Sunday, March 2

Sunday is Mardi Gras Children’s Day at the Event Center. The free, family-friendly event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A prelude to the Children’s Day Parade, children will explore interactive exhibitions about performing arts, technology, science, and safety and health. The educational activities will be accompanied by lessons about the historical and cultural significance of Mardi Gras.

The Children’s Day Parade beings at 3:30 p.m. It will depart from the Event Center, travel down Ryan St. and end at Sale Rd.

Monday, March 3

The 2025 Mardi Gras Royal Gala begins at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Event Center. This beloved annual event features krewe kings, queens, dukes, duchesses, captains, courtesans and jesters as they promenade in vibrant costumes. Admission is $10 per person.

Ray’s Lounge, 3529 Ryan St., will host zydeco musician Brandon Ledet from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. for “Lundi Gras.”

Lundi Gras celebrations will be celebrated from 9 a.m. to midnight at Panorama Music House, 329 Broad St., featuring party rock and country band Logan Soileau & The Cards.

Tuesday, March 4

Mardi Gras celebrations begin early in Iowa with the annual Iowa Chicken Run. Doors open at 8 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 503 E. Hwy. 90. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will travel west on Hwy. 90. The floats will make stops at homes and businesses in Iowa to play zydeco music. The floats will circle back to the KC Hall. The day concludes at 5 p.m. with a performance from Rusty Metoyer & the Zydeco Rush. Entry is $15 for adults, $10 for children and $5 for kids 12 and under.

Several parades are scheduled for Mardi Gras Day. The Second Line Stroll will start at 1 p.m., beginning at the corner of Mill St. and Ryan St. Celebrants will dance down Ryan St. until they reach 7th St.

Jeeps on Parade will start shortly after. At 2 p.m., jeeps adorned in Mardi Gras decorations will drive down Ryan St. to Sale Rd.

Next will be the Motor Gras Parade at 3 p.m. Classic cars, motorcycles and unique automobiles will travel the same route.

The celebrations will conclude with the Mardi Gras Southwest Krewe and Krewes Parade at 5 p.m. As the largest parade of SW La.’s carnival season, it features over 60 krewes on floats stocked with thousands of festive throws.

For a full list of Mardi Gras events, visit www.swlamardigras.com.