Welcome to our ANNUAL “GUIDE TO LAFAYETTE MARDI GRAS EVENTS AND CAMPS!” It’s the biggest party of the year! Celebrate all month long with parades and festivities in the Lafayette area. We have also included day camps for the kiddos during the Mardi Gras Season. Check back frequently as we add to the never-ending list of fun here in Acadiana. Laissez le bon temps rouler!
2026 Lafayette & Surrounding Area Events
Lafayette Area Parades
January 17:
Bayou Mardi Gras Parade (New Iberia) :: 4:00 pm
February 6:
Krewe des Canailles (Downtown Lafayette) :: 7:00 pm
February 7:
Scott Mardi Gras Parade :: 11:00 am
Rayne Mardi Gras Parade :: 2:00 pm
Krewe of Rio Parade (Downtown Lafayette) :: 6:30 pm
Krewe of Ezana Jeanerette Mardi Gras Parade :: 1:00 pm
February 13:
Krewe of Allons Kick Off Parade (Lafayette) :: 6:30 pm at Pontiac Point.
February 14:
Cankton Courir de Mardi Gras :: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade :: 11:00 am
Lafayette Children’s Parade :: 12:30 pm
Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras (Children’s Parade) :: 3:00 pm
Krewe of Bonaparte Parade (Lafayette) :: 6:30pm
February 15:
Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade (New Iberia) :: 1:00 pm
Paw Parade (Eunice) :: 3:00 pm
February 16:
Queen’s Parade (Lafayette) :: 6:00 pm
Krewe of Triton Parade (Lafayette) :: 6:00 pm
February 17: MARDI GRAS DAY
King’s Parade (Lafayette) :: 10:00 am
Opelousas Mardi Gras Parade :: 11:00 am
Lafayette Mardi Gras Association Parade :: 1:00 pm
Carnival D’Acadie (Crowley) :: TBD
Krewe Chic A La Pie Mardi Gras Parade (Downtown Kaplan) :: 2:00 pm
Independent Parade (Lafayette) :: 2:30 pm
Courir de Mardi Gras Parade (Eunice) :: TBD
Lafayette Area Festivals and More
January 9:
The Great King Cake Taste Off :: “Join us for a sweet celebration of Louisiana’s favorite tradition! Sample a delicious variety of king cakes from local bakers, enjoy music from Mike Dopsie of the Dopsie Brothers, food, and fun, and cast your vote for the best King Cake in Acadiana. Passed hors d’oeuvres also included. Cocktail attire. Cash bar.”
St. Charles Street Mardi Gras :: Painting with a Twist
January 10:
King Cake Class :: It’s Just a Cookie. Each Student will make from start to finish 1 king cake that will serve 12 and a recipe packet.
Mardi Gras Masks Cookie Class :: It’s Just a Cookie.
Krewe of Rio Mardi Gras Ball :: 21st Annual Ball
Mardi Gras Pelican :: Painting with a Twist
January 11:
Sugar Cookie Baking 101 “Mardi Gras Platter” :: It’s Just a Cookie
January 16:
Mardi Gras House :: Painting with a Twist
January 17:
King Cake French Macarons :: It’s Just a Cookie
Mardi Gras Petit Fours Class :: It’s Just a Cookie
Mardi Gras Mask & Music :: Painting with a Twist
Lagniappe for Littles Mardi Gras Traditions Night :: “Kids will dance, create, and learn while families sample delicious bites from Nina Creole and groove to the high-energy sounds of Pocket Change Jazz Band.”
January 18:
Louisiana Mardi Gras Tart Cake Class :: It’s Just a Cookie
January 20:
Throw Me Something Gnomie :: Painting with a Twist
January 23:
Mardi Gras Fleur de Lis II :: Painting with a Twist
January 24:
Gnarly Gras 2026 :: Gnarly Gras 2026 has everything…new beer releases, live music, king cake, jambalaya & the 610 Stompers! Gnarly Gras is all ages (we’ll have bounce houses for the kids!) and is free to attend!
King Cake Class :: It’s Just a Cookie
Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Ball :: Join King Imperial VII Robbie Tomlinson and Queen Lily VII Candace Papillion-Haynes for an elegant evening of Mardi Gras celebration.
Cheers to Mardi Gras – Pick your side :: Painting with a Twist
January 25:
Splatter Paint King Cake :: Painting with a Twist
January 31:
Bayou King Cake Festival (Thibodaux) :: It features king cake tasting, live music, children’s parade and much more!
Bon Temps Wood Cutout :: Painting with a Twist
February 1:
Wine Glass Painting “Mardi Gras Mask” :: Hosted at It’s Just a Cookie. Come pass a good time with our guest instructor Dena Simard and learn how to paint on glass!
February 7:
King Cake Class :: It’s Just a Cookie
Mardi Gras Mambo II :: Painting with a Twist
Celebration! :: Painting with a Twist
Bourbon Street Buddies – Pick your Favorite :: Painting with a Twist
Courir de Mardi Gras Mask Workshop :: Evette Marsh and Jessie Louviere of VaCajun will lead participants through the process of making a traditional wire mesh mask, perfect attire to chase chickens!
February 8:
Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball :: “Come enjoy Line dancing, finger food, karaoke and amazing music at Our Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball.”
Bon Temps :: Painting with a Twist
Courir de Mardi Gras at Vermilionville :: The whole family can participate in this interactive event where the Basile Mardi Gras Association shares in the medieval tradition of the Courir de Mardi Gras. Disguised revelers, led by Le Capitaine and singing La Chanson de Mardi Gras will make their way through the historic village begging for the ingredients to make a gumbo.
February 9:
Lafayette Public Library Let’s Make! Mardi Gras Flag Shirt: Main Library :: Come make a festive Mardi Gras flag onto a shirt using heat transfer vinyl! Participants will need to provide their own blank shirts.
February 13:
Voodoo Mardi Gras Ball :: Join us for a night of Mardi Gras magic, great food, and live music at our Voodoo Mardi Gras Ball! Grab your friends, dress to impress, and come celebrate in true Louisiana style.
Stoned vs Drunk vs Sober vs MARDI GRAS
February 13-17:
La Festival de Mardi Gras :: The Festival is the major fundraiser for the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association, a volunteer organization that keeps Mardi Gras Alive in Lafayette.
Carnaval Courtyard :: Skip the chaos. Keep the celebration. Carnaval Courtyard at Chez La Fête, is Mardi Gras…made easy. Feb 13 & 14, 16 & 17
February 13-15:
Mardi Gras Mambo Softball Tournament (Youngsville) :: is excited to announce the 2026 Mardi Gras Mambo, Collegiate Fast Pitch Softball Tournament will be held Friday, February 13-Sunday, February 15, 2026.
February 15:
Mardi Gras Children’s Day (Lake Charles) :: Children’s Day includes exhibitions of performing arts, technology and science, safety and health, and arts and crafts—all interactive and hands-on. Typical activities for Children’s Day include an education station, making Mardi Gras arts and crafts while learning about the traditions and history of the carnival season and more. Groups present cultural and historic experiences of Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras Style – Pick your favorite :: Painting with a Twist
February 16:
Lafayette Public Library Mini Mardi Gras Floats: Main Library :: Create your very own miniature Mardi Gras float using shoeboxes. All supplies provided! Ages 7-12. Registration is required.
February 17:
Splatter Paint King Cake :: Painting with a Twist
Lafayette Area Mardi Gras Camps
Fun Nation :: February 16, 18-20
The Little Gym of Lafayette :: February 16 & 18
KidCam Camps :: February 16, 18-20 Daily Rates. 7:30 am-5:30 pm.
Links Worth Checking Out ::
What is Mardi Gras? :: “Lafayette Mardi Gras, Who Knew? and a Few Fun Facts”
What to do with all those beads? :: “Wait, Wait, Wait!!! Don’t Pitch Your Mardi Gras Throws!”
The Best King Cakes in the Lafayette Area :: “Acadiana King Cake Guide”
Where to Buy Gluten-free, Sugar-free, and Vegan King Cakes Around Lafayette
Where to shop for Mardi Gras outfits and accessories :: “The Ultimate Mardi Gras Outfit & Accessories Guide”
The Homemade King Cake Recipe (with the One Weird Ingredient) That’ll Knock Your Socks Off!
Mardi Gras :: Worth the Drive
Find a comprehensive list of both New Orleans & Baton Rouge Mardi Gras parades, events and festivals available below ::
Guide to Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Events and Camps
Guide to New Orleans Mardi Gras Events and Camps
Mardi Gras Travel Ideas
Wanting to take a break this Mardi Gras season? Here are some of our favorite travel destinations…
Mardi Gras Getaway :: From Beads to Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Family Vacation Ideas Within a 7 Hour Drive from Lafayette
Just Howl Great Is The Wolf? {A Review of the Great Wolf Lodge}
Quiet Water Beach :: The Family Friendly Beach You Need To Visit
CM Farms :: Worth The Drive From Lafayette To Dry Creek, Louisiana
Worth the Drive :: OWA Parks and Resorts {A Theme Park and Indoor Water Park}
Do you know of a Lafayette Area MARDI GRAS event that should be included in this list?
Email us! [email protected]
