Acadiana Mardi Gras
The many masks of Acadiana Mardi Gras, scheduled out for your carousing convenience.
Statewide Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Paul Kieu
In the space between the extravagant flamboyance of New Orleans Carnival and and the irreverent cacophony of the prairie courirs—Louisiana Mardi Gras wears many, incredibly diverse, types of 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 8
Krewe de la Jonction Mardi Gras Ball: The Arnaudville Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Mardi Gras ball again this year with a theme fitting to start off a new decade. Transport yourself to a Mardi Gras celebration of the “Roaring 20s” in the town of two bayous, Arnaudville. Held at the Little Flower Auditorium. 7 pm–11 pm. facebook.com.
February 14
Krewe de Canailles: Celebrating inclusivity, creativity, and sustainability, this walking parade 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–9 pm. Krewedecanailles.com.
February 15
Rotary Club Mardi Gras Ball: This formal gala will take take place at Cade Community Center in St. Martinville.
Carencro Mardi Gras Parade: Starts at Carencro High. Ends by Carencro Community Center.
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. 2 pm. krewedeschiens.org.
Krewe of Carnivale en Rio: Known for its vibrant floats, dazzling lights and the jubilant accompaniment of maracas, the Parada has become Lafayette’s premier Mardi Gras event. 6:30 pm. riolafayette.com.
Imperial Mardi Gras Ball: This Opelousas event will take place in the historic Delta Grand Theatre, so come out in your best cocktail attire and Mardi Gras mask. Tickets can be purchased at Frank’s Poboys or Sebastien Dupre Fine Jewelry. 7 pm. cajuntravel.com.
Mermentau Cove Courir de Mardi Gras de L’anse: For the fifth year in a row, the men of Mermentau Cove are suiting up courir-style and rambling around its backroads. Come for the parade, stay for the fais-do-do and gumbo afterwards. 8 am. cadientoujours.org.
Lake Arthur Courir & Parade: Starting with a 9 am traditional Cajun run, riders will join up with a downtown Parade at 4 pm in an eclectic confluence of Cajun & Carnivale traditions. louisianatravel.com.
Carencro Mardi Gras Parade: Extravagance and revelry meet Saturday-family-get-together in the little town of Carencro for its 37th annual Mardi Gras parade. 11 am. lafayettetravel.com.
Daniel Landry Photography
February 16
Lebeau Mardi Gras: The Lebeau Mardi Gras Parade welcomes participants of all types. Whether you’re on horse, ATV, side by side, automobile, wagon, or a traditional float you can find a place in this procession alongside parade marshall Stephanie Smallwood of KFXZ 105.9. Lineup at 11 am at 224 E Railroad Ave. Parade departs at 1 pm and ends at a music fest at the Immaculate Conception Church. cajuntravel.com.
Scott Mardi Gras Parade: This small town parade is one of Acadiana’s largest, and a favorite for family’s city-wide and beyond. Floats and costumed riders will vie en fete for the title “Most Original Float." scottsba.org/mardi-gras.
February 21–22
Cornucopia Ball: The theme for this annual children's and teens’ Mardi Gras dance is “World of Animation.” Dress rehearsal happens on February 21 at 7 pm. The ball (complete with DJ, tableau, and refreshments for sale) will take place on February 22 from 7 pm–11 pm. Sponsored by The Creole Farmers Market. Tickets for dress rehearsal are $10; $5 for children 12 and younger. Tickets for the ball are $15. stmartinville.org.
February 21–25
Eunice Mardi Gras: 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. This tradition has now expanded to five days of live music, street & barn dances at various venues in the area, cooking demos, exhibits, a boucherie, and a culminating chicken-run (courir) on Mardi Gras Day at 8 am. There are also special parades and runs for the children on Sunday. $40 to run. cajuntravel.com.
Le Festival de Mardi Gras à Lafayette: This five-day festival at Cajun Field features carnival rides, local food, and in the perfect spot to watch some of Lafayette’s biggest parades. gomardigras.com.
[Read this story about the traditional masks of Mardi Gras, from our February 2014 issue.]
Denny Culbert
February 22
Children’s Church Point Mardi Gras Courir: A mini (and likely more refined) version of Sunday’s Church Point Courir. Run begins at 10 am. Parade begins at 1 pm. churchpointmardigras.com.
Children's Parade: Pour les petits rois et reins. This family-friendly event is a favorite for old and young alike, and a chance to watch the next generation fall in love with the magic of Mardi Gras. 12:30 pm. gomardigras.com.
Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade: Youngsville’s favorite family friendly Mardi Gras celebration will be led this year by Dreams Come True of Louisiana’s dream child Dylan. 11 am. youngsville.us.
Sunset Mardi Gras Parade: Once one of the largest celebrations in the area, Sunset Mardi Gras has continued on as a carnival classic with beads, doubloons, and live music—along with children’s activities along the parade route. 11 am. cajuntravel.com.
Rayne Mardi Gras Parade: Everyone is invited to participate in Rayne’s Fifth Annual parade—walkers, trailer-hitchers, drivers, and floaters alike. 3 pm–4 pm. acadiatourism.org.
Krewe of Bonaparte: This krewe’s been around since 1972, and hasn’t sat down since, with the whole bead-abounding ordeal presided over by the Emperor Napolean himself and his Empress Josephine. 6:30 pm. kreweofbonaparte.org.
February 22–23
6th Annual Opelousas Mardi Gras Parade, Chicken Run, & Jackpot Rodeo: This parade-and-party features performances by Lil Nate, J Paul Jr., Furly, Jeremy Fruge, Future of Zydeco, & DJ Potato. Starting outside the Yambilee Building in Opelousas. cajuntravel.com.
Lil Nate’s L’Argent Trailride, Chicken Run, and Parade: It’s a Mardi Gras weekend in Opelousas with three days of live zydeco, a rodeo, a trail ride, cash prizes, and a chicken run. cajuntravel.com.
Courtesy Teche Center for the Arts
February 23
St. Martinville's 3rd Annual Newcomers Mardi Gras Celebration: Join the Newcomers Club for their 60th anniversary Mardi Gras celebration with music, food, and children’s activities. 2 pm–10 pm. louisianatravel.com.
59th Courir de Mardi Gras Church Point: Named “The Best Traditional Mardi Gras,” this run features costumed horseback riders, wagons, buggies, and live music along with all your characteristic chicken chasing and greased pig captured. Not a show you want to miss. Run starts at 8:30 am. Parade starts at 12:30 pm. acadiatourism.org.
Duralde-L'anse Meg Courir: Here's your good old Sunday courir, promising hot boudin and boiled eggs for lunch, and gumbo after the ride. Bonus: Women can ride in this one. 6 am.
February 24
Courir des Enfants and Family Lundi Gras Party: This family-friendly parade sees children decked out in Mardi Gras costumes to begin the march from St. Bernard Church in Breaux Bridge, singing and playing Cajun music on fiddles, guitars, and percussion, while “begging” for and receiving gumbo ingredients from homes along Washington Street skirting Bayou Teche. The children chase and catch a chicken along the parade route and share gumbo and dancing afterwards at Teche Center for the Arts, with parents and grandparents welcome to share in the festivities. $5 per person. artsatteche.com.
Mamou Children's Mardi Gras Parade: Things get wild in Mamou during the following weeks. Best to let the children out early. 8:30 am.
Queen Evangeline’s Parade: A day for the Queen of Acadiana herself, this parade is one of Lafayette’s most treasured Carnival traditions. 6 p.m. louisianatravel.com.
February 24–25
Downtown Opelousas Mardi Gras Celebration: Tired of parades? (Don’t worry, we won’t tell.) Head on over to the Delta Grand Theater in Opelousas for a good old fashion Creole dance party featuring Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie. Times vary. cajuntravel.com.
Paul Kieu
February 25
Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade: This is a family-oriented parade with floats, bands, dance groups, Mardi Gras royalty, a Grand Marshal, elaborate costumes, and tons of beads and throws, all on College Road in Jeanerette. 11 am–4 pm. iberiatravel.com.
Family Affair Mardi Gras Parade: Stick around Loreauville Main Street for family-friendly marching bands, dance groups, and music. 2 pm–3 pm. iberiatravel.com.
Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade: Rolls from East Landry Street to Liberty Street beginning at 10 am. cajuntravel.com.
Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run: Looking for something new and exciting this carnival season? This traditional Mardi Gras celebration is nothing like parades you see in the city, but instead, a procession of people in whimsical costumes, romping around the countryside. cajuntravel.com.
Jennings Mardi Gras Festival & Parade: Strolling along since 1994, this parade is marked on both ends by festive food and family-style activities, including live music, home-style food, and crafts. 10:30 am. jeffdavis.org.
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–5 pm. acadiatourism.org.
Courir de Mardi Gras Mamou: One of the state’s most traditional and raucous prairie runs—the Cajun Music Capital of the World throws a party like no other. Riders stay in disguise for the live long day if they can live through that long day of horseback riding—sustained on boudin, boiled eggs, and Coors Light alone. All in the name of catching the perfect gumbo chicken. 7 am.
Carnival D’Acadie: Run into the heart of the Cajun Prairie to celebrate Fat Tuesday, Rice City Style. Crowley’s day-long festival includes carnival rides, live music, a grand parade, and local food vendors. 10 am. acadiatourism.org.
King Gabriel’s Parade: Celebrating the annually appointed King Gabriel, who reigns over all of Lafayette Mardi Gras, this parade is Lafayette’s oldest and most traditional. 10 am. gomardigras.com.
Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade: Win the award for the most original costume, or the ugliest, at Jeanerette’s signature Carnival event. 11 am. iberiatravel.com.
Mardi Gras Show at Clark Field: This historical event celebrates the great diversity of the Lafayette region, particularly the rich artistic and musical culture of the African American community. The annual Judging Contest features extravagant displays of costumes along with an incredible slate of live musicians.
Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade: Closing out the official Festival de Mardi Gras à Lafayette, this parade is a last chance to boogie down to Cajun Field before Ash Wednesday. 1 pm. gomardigras.com.
TownSquare Media Independent Parade. TownSquare Media teamed up with Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association to add one more superb parade to your itinerary. 2:30 pm. gomardigras.com.
Courir de Mardi Gras Basile: Begging for gumbo, racing for chickens, two-stepping to traditional Cajun tunes. Welcome to an Evangeline Parish courir. 7 am.
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