Discover Louisiana’s Most Unusual and Quirky Mardi Gras Celebrations
When most people think of Mardi Gras, images of Bourbon Street revelry and towering floats most likely come to mind. But venture beyond the Big Easy, and you’ll discover a Louisiana where Mardi Gras traditions run deeper than beads and cocktails. From rural Cajun prairies where masked horsemen chase chickens at dawn, to Central Louisiana communities inventing new traditions, the state’s smaller celebrations offer something the big city can’t. These lesser-known celebrations invite visitors to experience Mardi Gras as locals do — not as tourists watching from behind barricades, but as participants in something unique.
Mamou Courir de Mardi Gras
Tradition Meets Mayhem
In Evangeline Parish, the town of Mamou hosts what many consider the crown jewel of traditional Cajun Mardi Gras. The action begins around dawn when costumed revelers mount their horses and embark on the Courir de Mardi Gras, the centuries-old Mardi Gras run through the countryside.
The parade is led by the capitaine of the Mardi Gras, with masked participants performing an ancient ritual: begging from house to house, singing and dancing for homeowners to collect ingredients for a communal gumbo to be served that evening. But the real spectacle comes with the chicken chase, where participants have reported being accidentally run over or punched during the somewhat controlled chaos. The parade arrives in downtown Mamou around 3 p.m. Just be sure to watch where you step — horses have been known to enter the bars at the end of the celebration.
Also, swing by Fred’s Lounge, known as the home of “the real Cajun Mardi Gras.” This is where the traditional courir’s revival took place in the 1950s, and the bar opens only once a week on Saturday mornings, hosting live Cajun bands from all over the state. Mardi Gras weekend leading up to Fat Tuesday is the only time that Fred’s Lounge is open Friday and Saturday nights. The town’s celebration lasts until 8 p.m., providing plenty of time to visit the bars along 6th Street and sample homemade dishes sold by local organizations.
Women Courir de Mardi Gras Tee Mamou-Iota
The Purist’s Paradise
If Mamou represents tradition with a touch of wildness, Tee Mamou-Iota takes authenticity to another level. This year marks the 38th anniversary of the festival in downtown Iota, with festivities kicking off at 9 a.m. on Mardi Gras Day and continuing until 5 p.m. This is a traditional Mardi Gras “where you won’t see a bead,” as organizers proudly declare. All participants must wear traditional handmade costumes and masks, preserving customs that date back generations.
The day begins with Catholic mass on stage at 9 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies and live entertainment (this year’s acts include Horace Trahan & The Ossun Express, Scotty Pousson and The Pointe Aux Loups Playboys, and the Revelers).
Bonus: Thibodaux’s Louisiana King Cake Festival kicks off the official Mardi Gras season in Lafourche Parish on Jan. 31, so get your hands on Louisiana’s signature Carnival pastry from bakeries across the region. louisianakingcakefest.com
The courir, which was once run on foot and later on horseback, transitioned to trucks in the 1940s. Once the capitaine raises a flag, the runners dismount their trucks and approach houses while chanting the traditional begging song, “Le Chanson de Mardi Gras.” An all-women’s courir conducts their run on the Saturday before Mardi Gras, and the Children’s Courir takes place the following Sunday.
Building New Traditions
In 1994, a consortium of local business leaders, the Alexandria-Pineville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mardi Gras enthusiasts and existing krewes began the Alexandria Mardi Gras Association. The first parade was held that year, growing from 10 floats and four krewes to presently having 23 floats and krewes.
What Central Louisiana lacks in centuries of tradition, it makes up for with creativity and inclusivity. The Pineville Night of Lights Parade features festive floats, marching bands and colorful krewes that make their way from the Riverfront through Downtown Pineville and up Main Street to Louisiana Christian University, creating a stunning visual as illuminated floats cross the bridge linking the two cities.
Meanwhile, the Classic Cars and Cheerleaders Parade (held this season on Feb. 13) showcases restored vehicles that take attendees on a journey through automotive history. The Children’s Parade brings festive cuteness to the streets of downtown with an estimated attendance of 45,000, while the Krewes Parade draws an estimated 150,000 partygoers. The Woodworth Parade also embodies the region’s inclusive spirit, welcoming any and all entries from go-karts to elaborate floats. The Alexandria Zoo even hosts a Mardi Gras Party, combining carnival excitement with family-friendly animal encounters.
Rice City’s Carnival Spirit
In the heart of Acadiana, the Rice Capital of Louisiana applies the same community spirit that makes its International Rice Festival famous to its Mardi Gras celebration. Carnival D’Acadie began in 2001 and has grown into a beloved tradition hosted by the City of Crowley in downtown between Front and First streets every year on Mardi Gras Day.
Local music begins at 10 a.m., with the parade rolling at 3 p.m., creating a full day of music, dancing and food in a street fair atmosphere. Entertainment by multiple bands keeps the energy high throughout the day. This celebration represents a mixture of Cajun Mardi Gras traditions and carnival-style New Orleans Mardi Gras — a family-friendly affair that blends the best of both worlds.
The agricultural heritage of this rice-farming community adds distinct character, where working-class pride meets Carnival festivities. The Carnival D’Acadie parade rolls through the celebration and along downtown, transforming Crowley’s historic Main Street into a hub of color, culture and Cajun fun. Between the live music stages and the parade route, visitors discover why small-town Louisiana knows how to celebrate. Not only is everyone welcome, but the food is authentic and the experience feels truly down home rather than manufactured for tourists.
Where Frogs Meet Beads
As the Frog Capital of the World, Rayne brings its unique identity to Mardi Gras with events that span multiple days and showcase community spirit. The season begins with the Frog Di Gras Grande Fête — an evening filled with live music, delicious local cuisine and lively fellowship. Here, locals and visitors gather to celebrate the start of Carnival season in true Louisiana fashion.
What makes Rayne special is its inclusive approach. The Rayne Chamber of Commerce Mardi Gras Parade is open to everyone from businesses and school organizations to church groups and anyone else who wants to participate. It features a vibrant procession of floats, marching groups and colorful costumes alongside vehicles, decorated cars and dance teams. Families line the streets ready to catch beads and cheer on the krewes as they roll through downtown Rayne, creating a grassroots DIY atmosphere that feels more like a community gathering than a formal event.
After the parade, the fun continues with the After Party and Gumbo Cook-off, where local chefs and teams compete for the title of best gumbo in town. In addition to gumbo, the live music and dancing also captures the true taste and soul of South Louisiana. The celebration reaches its grand finale with the Krewe de Joie de Vie Mardi Gras Ball. It’s a dazzling event featuring the presentation of the krewe’s royal court, stunning costumes and a night of dancing and festivity that beautifully blends pageantry with community gusto.
Louisiana’s Second-Largest Celebration
In bayou country, Houma proudly claims the title of Louisiana’s second-largest Mardi Gras celebration behind New Orleans. “It’s actually the only time we are okay with being No. 2,” says Tara Morvant, director of marketing and communications for Explore Houma. However, what Houma lacks in size compared to the Big Easy, it more than makes up for in family-friendly atmosphere, accessibility and authentic Cajun hospitality.
“Our celebrations are more family-friendly and have [a] longer stretch of parade routes, which offer more room to spread out and enjoy time with family and friends,” Morvant says. “We have free parking and plenty of restaurants along the route.” Unlike the crowded streets in New Orleans, Houma’s setup makes experiencing Mardi Gras with family easily manageable. The celebration runs for two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras Day, oftentimes with parades running back-to-back for a full day of fun.
“With 14 krewes and three different parade routes, there are so many options for everyone,” Morvant says. Houma’s Mardi Gras is a true Cajun celebration with more than a dozen parades full of colorfully themed floats, scores of marching bands and an array of throws. Visitors can watch the parades, stuff themselves full of king cake and let the good times roll in an atmosphere that’s safe, economical and genuinely welcoming. In addition to parades, tourists can immerse themselves in Bayou Country culture to experience Houma’s cuisine, scenic waterways and outdoor adventures.
Community Celebration on the Bayou
Just up the road from Houma, Thibodaux offers its own unique take on bayou country Mardi Gras. The celebration officially kicks off with the Louisiana King Cake Festival, marking the beginning of Mardi Gras season in Lafourche Parish. This beloved celebration spotlights Louisiana’s signature Carnival pastry before the parades even begin to roll.
“Our Mardi Gras parades in Thibodaux can be described as more family-friendly than New Orleans with the same comparable extravagant floats and Mardi Gras throws,” says Ian Wallis, sales and marketing manager for Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. Five krewes roll through town during the 2026 season: Krewe of Shaka and Krewe of Ambrosia on Feb. 8; Krewe of Cleophas and Krewe of Chronos on Feb. 15; and Krewe of Ghana on Mardi Gras Day, Feb. 17.
“The parades will start at Nicholls State University, trek across town and pass along Bayou Lafourche where families will be lined up downtown,” Wallis says. Each parade usually consists of 16 floats per krewe alongside local high school bands and performers. Some krewes, like the Krewe of Cleophas, come up with creative themes for their floats (last year featured famous cartoons).
“With Thibodaux being such a tight-knit community, it is a time of camaraderie and meeting up with friends and family to celebrate,” Wallis says. “Oftentimes, the people on the floats are your local doctors, your landscaper, the guy you know that works at your bank, your community and chamber leaders and then some.” The parades always fall on the same days of the week depending on when Mardi Gras Day falls, with the Krewe of Ghana always parading on Fat Tuesday itself. This is Mardi Gras where everyone knows everyone, making visitors feel less like tourists and more like honored guests at a family celebration.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Cazan, Mamou: It’s located in the heart of Mamou, making it perfect for Mardi Gras visitors who want to be in the center of the action. hotelcazan.com
The Main House at Cypress Grove, Eunice: Le Village at Cypress Grove is a bed and breakfast on nearly six acres of pine-shaded land featuring a circa 1910 Main House. cypressgroveplace.com
Hotel Bentley, Alexandria: Built in 1908, the Hotel Bentley has long been the flagship luxury hotel in Central Louisiana. visithotelbentley.com
WHERE TO EAT
Krazy Cajun Cafe, Mamou: Known for excellent fried shrimp po’boys and daily specials, like chicken and sausage gumbo or fried pork chops, this small cafe offers attentive service in a casual atmosphere. facebook.com/krazycajuncafe
D.I.’s Cajun Restaurant, Basile: Located among the rice fields and crawfish ponds between Bayous des Cannes and Nezpique, D.I.’s is an authentic Cajun family restaurant with live music and a menu focused on fresh seafood. The restaurant even has its own airstrip for fly-in diners. discajun-restaurant.com
Quebedeaux’s Boudin & Cracklins, Alexandria: Quebedeaux’s, features pastas, seafood and steak along with many traditional Creole and Cajun staples like boudin rolls, gumbo and crawfish corn bisque. quebedeauxs-cajuncafe.com
WHERE TO EAT
Local Carnival D’Acadie vendors, Downtown Crowley: On Mardi Gras Day, Carnival D’Acadie features multiple food vendors along historic Downtown Main Street serving authentic Cajun cuisine.
Chef Roy’s Frog City Cafe, Rayne: Expect award-winning Cajun dishes like crab cakes, gumbo and crawfish étouffée, plus frog leg dishes like the fried frog leg platter and frog leg étouffée. chefroy.com
Boudreau & Thibodeau’s Cajun Cookin’, Houma: Locals love this restaurant thanks to its indoor and outdoor seating, plus the menu of fried seafood po’boys, boiled and fried seafood dishes, and “slow pot Cajun cookin’” dishes like alligator sauce piquant. bntcajuncookin.com
WHERE TO STAY
The Juliet Hotel, Lafayette: The Juliet Hotel, Lafayette’s only downtown boutique hotel, offers 20 culturally inspired rooms with exceptional personal service and home-like comfort. juliethotels.com
Carriage House Hotel, Lafayette: The Carriage House Hotel offers all-suite accommodations featuring marble showers, separate bedrooms, private parking and personalized concierge services. thecarriagehousehotel.com
Courtyard by Marriott, Houma: The hotel is just a one-minute walk from Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, placing visitors at the heart of Houma’s Mardi Gras celebration. marriott.com
Hampton Inn & Suites, Thibodaux: This hotel puts visitors smack dab in the middle of Thibodaux’s Mardi Gras celebration and only 68 miles from New Orleans. hilton.com
