Acadiana Mardi Gras Schedule

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Courtesy of Lafayette Travel

Acadiana Mardi Gras

In the space between the extravagant flamboyance of New Orleans Carnival and the irreverent cacophony of the prairie courirs—Louisiana Mardi Gras wears many, incredibly diverse, masks. The Acadiana region boasts too many celebrations to count, each with their own distinct brand of revelry. And though we scoured far and low to provide you with the most comprehensive calendar possible—we're sure to have missed a fantastic feast or two. Refer to individual event sites for more information, and check your parish tourism sites or lafayettetravel.com for the most up to date information regarding this year's festivities. 

February 2

Bayou Mardi Gras Association Parade: This family-oriented parade runs along Bayou Teche in historic New Iberia, energized by community leaders committed to building on past traditions while creating new ones. 6:30 pm. bayoumardigras.com.

February 7–8

La Rivière Mardi Gras: Hosted at the Riverview RV Resort in Krotz Springs, this two-day Mardi Gras festival begins on Friday evening at 6 pm with the children's wagon parade and chicken run, as well as a jam session to close the night out. Saturday brings the family-friendly adult parade, which launches from the resort at 9 am, heads along the Atchafalaya River, with chicken stops (men only) along the way until a boudin intermission at Nall Park, and ends with a bowl of gumbo and live music by Lucas Meaux and Richard LeBouef back at Riverview for the women's chicken run. $10 to watch, $20 to participate in the parade; $20 to participate in the chicken run, cash only. 9 am. (337) 351-4260. facebook.com/riverviewrvresort21. 

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Image courtesy of Lafayette Travel

Lafayette Queen's Parade

February 8

Lebeau Mardi Gras Festival: This St. Landry celebration starts out with an old-school courir with all the trappings, including a greased pig chase (not just chickens here) and zydeco tunes. Then the Lebeau Mardi Gras Parade steps out on horseback, ATVs, automobiles, wagons, and traditional floats. Festivities start at 8 am, parade departs at 1 pm and it all ends at a music fest at the Immaculate Conception Church, featuring live music by Rusty Metoyer. cajuntravel.com. (337) 945-4238. 

February 15 

Rayne Mardi Gras Parade & Gumbo Cook-Off: At 2 pm, the Rayne Mardi Gras parade—with walkers, trailer-hitchers, drivers, and floaters—will roll from a starting point at American Legion Drive, ending at the Frog Festival Pavilion, where a full-on gumbo cook-off will be waiting. $5 for gumbo tasting. raynechamber.net. 

Carencro Mardi Gras Parade:  The Carencro Mardi Gras Association is run entirely by volunteers who love Mardi Gras, and it has been bringing this grand tableau to the backroads of Carencro for over forty years now. Family friendly fun with dance troupes and mega floats, starting at Carencro High School and ending at the Community Center. Rolls at 10 am. carencroparade.com. 

February 16

Sunset Kids Wagon Parade & Family Fun Day: Celebrate the season with the whole family in tow. Put on by Sunset's "Krewe of the Hesperides," this kids parade begins and ends at the Sunset Community Center, featuring decorated wagons and children decked out for theme of "Over the Rainbow," and starts at 10 am. Stick around from 2 pm–4 pm for live music and food behind the Community Center. Free. sunsetmardigras.com. 

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Image courtesy of Lafayette Travel

Lafayette Mardi Gras Day

February 21

Krewe de Canailles: Celebrating inclusivity, creativity, and sustainability, this walking parade down Jefferson Street in Lafayette does allow for floats—if you drag them yourself. Tossing out eco-friendly throws and joining together groups of sub-krewes, these carnival crusaders have found a way to party their way to a better Lafayette. 7 pm.  krewedecanailles.com.

February 21–22

Lakeview Park & Beach Children's Mardi Gras: Immerse your tots in the traditional Mardi Gras experience at Lakeview in Eunice, where chickens will be set loose for chasing, and live music will usher in a two step. lvpark.com. lvpark.com. 

February 22

Courir de Mardi Gras de L’anse: The men of Mermentau Cove are suiting up traditional courir-style and rambling around its backroads. Come for the run, stay for the fais-do-do and gumbo afterwards at a home on Lafosse Road, which the public is invited to enjoy. Courir begins at 8 am, Fais Do Do at 4 pm. acadiatourism.org. 

Krewe Des Chiens: We all know that we don’t deserve them, so the least we can do for our dogs is to parade them, in all their grandeur, through the streets of Lafayette. Noon on West Vemilion Street. Noon. krewedeschiens.org.

Lake Arthur Mardi Gras Run/Parade: Bringing the extravagance of New Orleans Carnival right up beside the old Acadiana traditions, Lake Arthur's celebration kicks off with a courir coming from Lake Arthur Park at 9 am, with several chicken run stops along the way. Back at Arthur Avenue, at 3 pm the parade—floats and all—will embark on its own journey. jeffdavis.org. 

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Image courtesy of Lafayette Travel

Krewe de Rio

Krewe of Carnivale en Rio: Known for its vibrant floats, dazzling lights, and the jubilant accompaniment of maracas, the Parada—which honors Brazil’s first emperor Dom Pedro I and his granddaughter Dona Isabel—has become Lafayette’s premier Mardi Gras event. 6:30 pm down Johnston and Vermilion. riolafayette.com.

Scott Mardi Gras Parade: This small town parade is one of Acadiana’s largest, and a favorite for families city-wide and beyond. Floats and costumed riders will vie en fete for the title “Most Original Float.” Rolls at 11 am. scottsba.org/mardi-gras.

February 23

Courir de Mardi Gras at Vermilionville: Vermilionville and the Basile Mardi Gras Association are hosting a traditional country Cajun Mardi Gras run in the historic village. Things kick off at 10 am with a screening of Pat Mire's documentary Dance for a Chicken, followed by a demonstration on the traditional "Chanson de Mardi Gras" by Kevin Rees. Then, the Basile Association will lead the traditional run through the village, ending with a chicken chase for the children. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at the onsite restaurant, sample king cakes, learn how to make a capuchon, and head to the dancehall for a fais do do, with music from the Pine Leaf Boys. 10 am–4 pm. $10; $8 for seniors; $6 for students; and children younger than five are free. bayouvermiliondistrict.org.

Krewe of Ezana Jeanerette Mardi Gras Parade: This Jeanerette parade features marching bands, dance groups, Mardi Gras royalty, and lots of throws. Starts on Main St. at 1 pm and ends at 3 pm at the King Joseph Recreation Park Grounds. For more information call (337) 255-9539. iberiatravel.com. 

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Image courtesy of Lafayette Travel

Krewe de Canailles

February 28

Krewe of Allons Kick-Off Parade: Getting things started for the slate of events that makes up the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association's celebration of Mardi Gras in Lafayette, this parade travels from the corner of Simcoe, Surry, and Jefferson through the Downtown area over to Johnston, turning on to College to land at Cajun Field. Rolls at 6:30 pm. gomardigras.com. 

February 28–March 4

Le Festival de Mardi Gras à Lafayette: Head to Cajun Field in Lafayette for Carnival rides (see what we did there?) and games, live music from local favorites, and delicious food. Times vary. 800-346-1958, gomardigras.com.

Eunice Cajun Mardi Gras Festival: In the days leading up to Eunice's historic courir on Mardi Gras Day, the city convenes downtown for five days of fais do-doing. Some of the acts to look forward to include Wayne Toups, Cameron Fontenot & The Rhythm Aces, Fred Charlie & The Acadiana Cajuns and much more. And don't miss out on events like the accordion & fiddle contest, Cajun dance lessons, a boucherie, a children's courir, a pet parade, and more. Expect to watch the end of Eunice's courir come through town at 3 pm Tuesday afternoon, then dance until the dang day is done. eunicemardigras.com. 

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David SImpson

Basile Mardi Gras

March 1

Cankton Courir de Mardi Gras: Join in on a chicken run, trail ride, gumbo cook-off, live music, and more at Landon Pitre Memorial Park. Live music from 2:30 pm–5:30 pm, with a live DJ starting at 9 am. Costumes encouraged. 7 am–6 pm. $5 to enter; $60 per gumbo team; $20 to participate in the chicken run/trail ride. All proceeds benefit the Special Olympics of Louisiana. cajuntravel.com. 

Church Point Children's Mardi Gras Run: A miniature version of one of Acadiana's most famous traditional Mardi Gras celebrations, open to children ages fourteen and younger. Begins at 10 am, and marches down Main Street at 1 pm. $10 to participate; no horses. saddletrampridersclub.org. 

Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade: Youngsville’s favorite family-friendly Mardi Gras celebration returns, with its over-the-top floats, marching groups, and tomfoolery to boot. Sets out at 11 am, starting and ending at the Youngsville Sports Complex. youngsville.us.

Lafayette Children's Parade: The city's tiniest krewes will head down Johnston, in all their majesty, at 12:30 pm. gomardigras.com. 

Lafayette's Krewe of Bonaparte: A hallmark of Lafayette Mardi Gras since 1972, this Krewe infuses excitement and youth into the city's annual traditions. See them roll down the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras route, from Jefferson to Johnston, to the CajunDome, starting at 6:30 pm. gomardigras.com. 

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David Simpson

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys performing during Eunice's Mardi Gras Festival

March 2

Eunice Parade of Paws: It's a ruff world out there, but not on the Sunday before Mardi Gras. Come see the pups parade through Downtown Eunice. 2 pm. eunicemardigras.com.

Courir de Mardi Gras Church Point: Once named “The Best Traditional Mardi Gras,” this run features costumed horseback riders, wagons, buggies, floats, and live music along with all your characteristic chicken chasing and greased pig capturing. 7 am–2 pm. $50 to participate, must be in costume. Main Street parade begins at 1 pm. churchpointmardigras.com.

Eunice Lil' Mardi Gras: Some might argue that it's easier to catch a chicken if you're closer to the ground. Watch the 'lil costumed runners race after the courir's mascot—fueled by the promise of a chicken-shaped trophy. The day begins at 9 am with the traditional run at the Eunice Recreation Complex, followed by the official chicken chasing competition at 1:15 and the children's parade through downtown Eunice at 3 pm. Ages 1–14. $10 per child to participate; $10 per vehicle to follow along the route. cajuntravel.com. 

Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade: Admire costumes from the artistic to the repulsive—all elaborate, plus floats and dance troops at this family-friendly Jeanerette parade, which begins at Grand Marais Park at 2 pm. iberiatravel.com.

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David Simpson

Acadiana Courir de Mardi Gras

March 3

Lundi Gras at Lakeview: Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice knows how to throw a party, and their free Lundi Gras pig roast is no different. Get your fill, then stick around all day for live music then the traditional barn dance in the evening. 8 am–6 pm. lvpark.com. 

Lafayette's Monday Night Parade: In Lafayette, Lundi Gras is for the queens—Evangeline LXXXII and LXXXIII will reign over the city's most regal krewes, rolling down the Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras route at 6 pm. gomardigras.com. 

March 4 

Courir de Mardi Gras de Grand Mamou: One of the most raucous and famous Cajun chicken runs on the prairies. Starts at 6:30 am, and travels throughout the country roads collecting goods for that end-of-the-day gumbo. Catch the parade at the end of the day in downtown Mamou around 3 pm (watch where you step, horses have been known to enter the bars). evangelineparishtourism.org. 

Faquetaigue Courir de Mardi Gras: Founded in 2006 by friends Joel Savoy, Linzay Young, Jesse Brown, Lucius Fontenot, Lance Pitre, and Dave Johnson—this courir celebrated annually on the outskirts of Eunice holds values of tradition, as well as inclusivity, at its heart. Designed to be appropriate for all ages, to be family friendly, and to emphasize culture—the run takes place on horseback, on foot, and via trailer, journeying throughout the Faquetaigue community. Dancing, begging, and singing are aplenty, all leading up to a traditional gumbo and concert at the day's end. Begins at 8 am; full costumes with hats and masks are required. $25. faquetaigue.com. 

Le Vieux Mardi Gras de Cajuns de Eunice: Dating back to the city’s earliest days in the late nineteenth century, Eunice’s Courir de Mardi Gras features riders on horseback in masks, conspiring in chicken-chasing, revelry, general silliness, and an effort to make a community-wide gumbo. Costume-clad trailers follow behind—and all join together in downtown Eunice for a final fais do do at 3 pm. The day starts long before that, though, at 8 am at the Northwest Community Center. facebook.com/eunicemardigras. 

Tee Mamou-Iota Mardi Gras Folklife Festival: Featuring all your favorite clung-to traditions, the handmade costumes and masks, the masterfully medieval capuchins, and the unbridled chaos of it all—the Folklife Festival also celebrates with live music, folk crafts, and local food booths on the prairie. 9 am–4 pm. acadiatourism.org.

Carnival D’Acadie: Run into the heart of the Cajun Prairie to celebrate Fat Tuesday, Rice City Style. Crowley’s Fat Tuesday festival includes carnival rides, live music, and a grand parade at 2 pm. Music starts at 10 am. acadiatourism.org.

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David Simpson

Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras

King Gabriel's Parade: Lafayette's grandest of parades, honoring the King of Carnival and the hundreds of volunteers who make the vibrant showcase down Johnston possible. Revelers will vie for beads, trinkets, and other memorabilia. Rolls at 10 am. gomardigras.com.

Opelousas Mardi Gras Parade: Floats, beads, and reigning royalty make up this Opelousas parade, which marches through downtown Opelousas starting at Le Vieux Village Heritage Park, down East Landry to Liberty and ends on Bellevue. Begins at 11 am. Get there early to see the Mystic Krewe of Fur Babies' pre-parade, and plan to stay late for a performance by Keith Frank & the Zoileau Zydeco Band at Zyde Gras on the Square. cajuntravel.com.

Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade: Emitting the spirit fueled by the carnival atmosphere at Cajun Field, this parade will run down Johnston at 1 pm. gomardigras.com. 

Krewe Chic-a-la-Pie Parade: Even the name of the parade sounds fun; old fashioned and put on by passionate Mardi Gras apologists, this family-style parade ignites the seasonal spirit in downtown Kaplan. 2 pm. vermilion.org. 

Independent Parade: Anyone can participate in this parade, which closes out Mardi Gras day in Lafayette. Take part, or enjoy the show of "independent" floats rolling down Johnston, starting at 2:30 pm. gomardigras.com. 

Papa Red Dog Mardi Gras Parade: The Loreauville Legend Papa Red keeps tradition alive at this parade. Enjoy throws, live music, and more. 2 pm. (337) 967-4554.