Guide to Lafayette Mardi Gras Events and Camps

Mardi Gras Events Lafayette Louisiana

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!

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”

2024 Lafayette & Surrounding Area Events

Lafayette Area Parades

Photo Credit: VCB Photography

January 26:

Bayou Mardi Gras Parade (New Iberia) :: 7:00 pm

January 27:

Carencro Mardi Gras Parade :: 11:00 am

February 2:

Krewe des Canailles (Downtown Lafayette) :: 7:00 pm

February 3:

Krewe des Chien Parade (Downtown Lafayette) :: 12:00 pm

Krewe of Rio Parade (Downtown Lafayette) :: 6:30 pm

Rayne Mardi Gras Parade :: 2:00 pm

Scott Mardi Gras Parade :: 1:00 pm

February 9 ::

Kick Off Parade (Lafayette) :: 6:30 pm at Pontiac Point.

February 10:

Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade :: 11:00 am

Lafayette Children’s Parade :: 12:30 pm

Krewe of Bonaparte Parade (Lafayette) :: 6:30pm

February 11:

Church Point Mardi Gras Parade :: 1:30 pm

Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras (Children’s Parade) :: 3:00 pm

February 12:

Queen’s Parade (Lafayette) :: 6:00 pm

Krewe of Triton Parade (Lafayette) :: 8:00 pm

February 13: MARDI GRAS DAY

King’s Parade (Lafayette) :: 10:00 am

Lafayette Mardi Gras Association Parade :: 1:00  pm

Independent Parade (Lafayette) :: 2:30 pm

Opelousas Mardi Gras Parade :: 11:00 am

Franklin Mardi Gras Parade :: 1:00 pm

Krewe Chic A La Pie Mardi Gras Parade (Downtown Kaplan) :: 2:00 pm

Lafayette Area Festivals and More

Photo Credit: Sweet Honey Bee Photos

January 6:

Krewe of Rio Mardi Gras Ball (Cajun Dome) :: “I Love Rio” – 19th Annual Ball

January 20:

Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Association Ball :: Please join King Imperial V Joseph “Joe” Godchaux, Jr. and Queen Lily V Aquanits Zachary as we celebrate our fifth annual Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Association Ball.

January 27: 

Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival, Inc. 66th Annual Pageant and Ball :: King Toussaint will visit the Holidays at our annual pageant and Ball. Mardi Gras is early this year, so don’t wait to get your tickets

Bayou King Cake Festival (Thibodaux) :: “Join us for our inaugural Bayou King Cake Festival in Downtown Thibodaux hosted by the Lafourche Education Foundation. Get in the spirit of Mardi Gras and sample a variety of locally baked King Cakes and vote on the one you believe is the best on the bayou. The fun continues with the Krewe of King Cake Children’s Parade and live music from Nonc Nu & the Wild Matous.” Visit website to purchase your tickets.

January 28:

2nd Annual Sunset Kids Wagon Parade :: Parade starts at 12:00pm. Decorated wagons and bicycles. This year’s theme is “The Enchanted Forest”.

King Cake Bread Pudding Bake-Off (Lafayette) ::1-4 pm. Please join us for our 2nd annual King Cake Bread Pudding Bake-off. Bring the whole family to enjoy our event with food trucks, craft vendors, drinks, and King Cake Bread Pudding! It’s Mardi Gras time and it’s time to sample a variety of locally made King Cake Bread Pudding and vote for your favorites! This year, there will be over 15 participants ready to claim the title! The winners will have bragging rights and crowned the best in Acadiana for their winning King Cake Bread Pudding!

February 4:

Courir de Mardi Gras – Old-Fashion Mardi Gras Run (Lafayette) :: Come out to Vermilionville to experience a traditional Mardi Gras run. The whole family can participate in this interactive event where the Basile Mardi Gras Association shares in the medieval traditions 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 10:

6th Annual Duralde Children’s Mardi Gras Run (Mamou) :: The run will take off at 9 A.M. and end around 2 P.M Registration will begin at 7 A.M.! We ask to be there not later than 8:15 A.M. We will leave from 2781 Navy Rd, Mamou, La 70554. Costumes are mandatory. Mask and capuchon are optional. Registration fee is $15 per child.

February 11:

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.

February 12:

Lundi Gras Bar-A-Thon :: Bring your loudest friends to the Lundi Gras Bar-a-thon Monday night February28th from 5:30p-9p. Starting at Café 20.3. Run through the streets of Freetown just south of the parade. Lots of adult beverage stops along the way!

Lundi Gras Member Mambo (Moncus Park) :: 10:00 am. Not a member yet? No worries, there’s still time to join the party! King Cake, coffee and hot chocolate will be served. Face painting and fun surprises for the kids!

February 17:

Mardi Gras Mambo Softball Tournament (Youngsville) :: February 9-11. The Mardi Gras Mambo softball tournament, hosted by Southeastern Louisiana University, will feature 10 teams from around the country and over 250 players. Most of the participating teams are scheduled to ride in the parade.

February 18:

Krewe de Mardi Gras 5K :: Come run the Krewe de Mardi Gras 5K race in Lafayette this February

Lafayette Area Mardi Gras Camps

Photo Credit: Jillian Marie Photography

Mardi Gras Public Skate & Play at Fun Nation :: February 12 and February 14 at 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Come skate this Mardi Gras Season at FUN NATION! Admission $8; Playground add on $3.

KidCam Camps :: February 12, 14-16.  Daily Rates. 7:30 am-5:30 pm.

Lafayette Public Library :: February 6, Mardi Gras Masks (Main Library) 4:00-5:00 pm. We provide Mardi Gras masks for teens to paint/decorate and take home. (Ages 12-18);

Lafayette Public Library :: February 7, Mini Mardi Gras Floats (Main Library) 4:00-5:00 pm. Create your very own miniature Mardi Gras float using shoeboxes. Supplies will be provided, but you may bring any add-ons from home! Ages 5-12. Registration is required.

Lafayette Public Library :: February 8, Mardi Gras X Valentine’s (North Regional Library) 4:00-5:00 pm. Create a heart-shaped mosaic using Mardi Gras beads on canvas. Ages 12-18. Registration is required and begins two weeks before the program start date.

Mardi Gras Fun Day at Huya Craft Coffee :: January 18-19th. Ready for some kid-friendly Mardi fun? We will be making Mardi Gras masks, decorating mini king cakes, and of course having plenty of fun photo ops, oh and don’t forget our tasty Mardi Gras Mambo Milkshakes!! We are offering 2 different days with 3 time slots.

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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…

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}

Shreveport: The Perfect Weekend Getaway!

Do you know of a Lafayette Area MARDI GRAS event that should be included in this list?

Email us! [email protected]

Amanda Kosmer
Amanda grew up in East Texas with the last name of “Thibodeaux”. As a child, she found her last name was very odd and even more peculiar to pronounce! She and her husband are recent transplants to Youngsville where they are raising their two energetic boys. Amanda is a girly girl who loves all things feminine: the sparkle of new earrings; the glamour of a perfectly red lipstick. She has proclaimed to be many things: an old soul born in the wrong era, a land-locked mermaid, and a bull in a china shop. A booklover since she can remember, Amanda indulges herself in the smell of freshly printed pages and can’t stand the stench of an old book… she wonders “who else has touched that book and what images did they conjure up as they read the very same tale?” This thing is for certain, however, Amanda is a mother who believes in the power of Faith, dreams, and imagination. One of Amanda’s most favorite quotes by Erin Hanson gives wings to her dreams: “What if I fall? Oh, but darling, what if you fly?”