Acadiana Mardi Gras
The many masks of Acadiana Mardi Gras, scheduled out for your carousing convenience.
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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 5
Bayou Mardi Gras Association Parade: A family parade that runs along Bayou Teche in New Iberia. This year, Positively Iberia will also stream the parade to their Facebook page for those who cannot attend in person. 6 pm. iberiatravel.com.
Tony Cachere's La Danse de Mardi Gras: The Acadiana Center for the Arts celebrates rural Cajun Mardi Gras traditions with this country dance, including commentary about local traditions by Dr. Barry Ancelet, lively music by Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys alongside special guests, a delicious dinner by Tony Cachere's chefs, and more. $35-$500. 5 pm. acadianacenterforthearts.org.
February 18
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. This year's theme is "Hell(No) Acadiana".7 pm. krewedecanailles.com.
February 19
Carencro Mardi Gras Parade: Starts at Carencro High, ends at Carencro Community Center. 11 am.
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. 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.
Lake Arthur Mardi Gras Parade: This small-town Carnival celebration rolls at 2 pm.
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. facebook.com/opelousasimperialmardigras.
Courir de Mardi Gras de L’anse: 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.
Daniel Landry Photography
February 20
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." 1 pm. scottsba.org/mardi-gras.
Lebeau Mardi Gras: It starts with an old-school courir (chicken run) that includes the addition of a greased pig, and excellent zydeco tunes. Then the Lebeau Mardi Gras Parade welcomes participants on horse, ATV, automobile, wagon, or a traditional float. Festivities start at 8 am, parade departs at 1 pm and ends at a music fest at the Immaculate Conception Church. cajuntravel.com.
Courir de Mardi Gras: Vermilionville and the Basile Mardi Gras Association are hosting a traditional country Cajun Mardi Gras run. 10 am. Bring a bag of Mardi Gras beads to donate and receive one dollar off the cost of admission. Admission is $5, members pay $4. bayouvermiliondistrict.org.
February 24
Krewe du Gheens Celebration and Parade: Join Gheens Branch Library staff for an afternoon of fun with a parade through the library at 153 N. Leon Drive. Kids are welcome to wear costumes and ride in non-motorized floats such as wagons or strollers. For children’s safety, no motorized vehicles are allowed. Children should bring their own throws. 4 pm. lafourche.org.
February 25
Mardi Gras Show/Mardi Gras Indian Competition 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. 5 pm.
Krewe of Adonis: This Morgan City Parade begins on Second Street under the LA 182 Bridge and ends at the Morgan City Auditorium. 7 pm. cajuncoast.com.
February 25–March 1
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 like Wayne Toups and Chee-Weez, food vendors, and a parade that rolls through. Times vary. 800-346-1958, gomardigras.com.
Eunice Mardi Gras Celebration: 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 and a parade at 3 pm. Free. cajuntravel.com.
Denny Culbert
February 26
Children's Parade: Pour les petits rois et reins. This family-friendly Lafayette 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. 11 am. youngsville.us.
Krewe of Dionysius Parade: Lines up on Gilmore Drive and turn on John Street at 2 pm. cajuncoast.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. acadiatourism.org.
Queen of Boneparte: This krewe was founded in 1972 with the goal of getting more young people involved in Lafayette Mardi Gras celebrations. 6:30 pm.
Crankton Courir de Mardi Gras: A chicken run, trail ride, gumbo cook-off, live music by Alligator Blue, and more at Landon Pitre Memorial Park. 7 am. facebook.com/cccdmg.
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. 4:30 pm. jeffdavis.org.
Cypremort Point Boat Parade: This parade on the water floats starting at 1 pm. cajuncoast.com.
Courtesy Teche Center for the Arts
February 27
Eunice Lil' Mardi Gras Parade: A parade for the kiddos out in the country. 3 pm. cajuntravel.com.
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. Run starts at 7 am. acadiatourism.org.
[Read this story about the traditional masks of Mardi Gras, from our February 2014 issue.]
Children's Courir & Parade: A children's chicken run in Church Point starts at 9 am, mardigraslafayette.com.
Krewe of Galatea Parade: Another Morgan City parade, this one taking the route down Second Street and ending at the Morgan City Auditorium. 2 pm. cajuncoast.com.
February 28
Queen Evangeline’s Parade: A day for the Queen of Acadiana herself, this parade is one of Lafayette’s most treasured Carnival traditions. 6 pm. louisianatravel.com.
Lundi Gras Boucherie: Lakeview Park & Beach know how to throw a party, and their Lundi Gras pig roast is no different. Free. 8 am. (337) 457-2881.
Krewe of Amani Parade: Fun rolls from Patterson High School down Main Street at 2 pm. cajuncoast.com.
Krewe of Hera Parade: This Cajun Coast parade heads down Second Street at 7 pm. cajuncoast.com.
Paul Kieu
March 1
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. 7 am–4 pm. acadiatourism.org.
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. mardigraslafayette.com.
Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade: Admire costumes from the elaborate to the ugly plus floats and dance troops at this family-friendly Jeanerette parade. 11 am. iberiatravel.com.
Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade: Bring the whole family out for a Fat Tuesday parade by the same folks who host the festival leading up to it. 1 pm. gomardigras.com.
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.
Independent Parade. Add one more superb parade to your itinerary. 2:30 pm. gomardigras.com.
Southwest Mardi Gras Association Pageant & Ball: A grand Carnival affair at the Heymann Performing Arts Center and Frem F. Boustany Convention Center in Lafayette. Free. 8 pm. lafayettetravel.com.
Family Affair Mardi Gras Parade: Stick around Loreauville Main Street for family-friendly marching bands, dance groups, and music. 2 pm. iberiatravel.com.
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, a grand parade, and local food vendors. 3 pm. acadiatourism.org.
Eunice Courir de 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 and a parade at 3 pm. Free. cajuntravel.com.
Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade: Floats, beads, and reigning royalty make up this Opelousas parade. This year, the Grand Marshals are local "Healthcare Heroes"—doctors and nurses who keep the community safe. Rolls from East Landry Street to Liberty Street beginning at 11 am. cajuntravel.com.
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. 2 pm. cajuntravel.com.
Butte LaRose Parade: Rolls bright and early at 10 am. mardigraslafayette.com.
Franklin Mardi Gras Parade: Heads through the town starting at 1 pm. cajuncoast.com.
Krewe of Hephaestus Parade: Morgan City's Mardi Gras Day Krewe gets moving at 2 pm. cajuncoast.com.
Krewe Chic-a-la-Pie Parade: Even the name of Kaplan's parade sounds fun. 2 pm. mardigraslafayette.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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