Lake Charles, Louisiana – Residents and visitors in Lake Charles and surrounding Southwest Louisiana communities can anticipate a bustling weekend from Friday, May 16, through Sunday, May 18, 2025, packed with a diverse array of cultural, musical, and family-friendly activities. From captivating art exhibitions and lively musical performances to engaging community gatherings, the region offers a rich tapestry of events catering to various interests.
View the full list of more than 30 events below the article.
The cultural heart of Lake Charles will be particularly active, with the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center serving as a central hub. Throughout Friday, the center will host multiple exhibitions, including “Interpretations of Nature Through Lens and Pencil,” which will also be featured at the Gallery by the Lake within the same historic building. Another significant exhibit, “Joie de Vivre: Celebrating the Black Creole Heritage of Lake Charles,” offers a profound look into the region’s rich cultural fabric. “Joie de Vivre,” a French phrase meaning “joy of living,” aptly captures the spirit of the heritage being celebrated. The Artisan’s Gallery within the center will also present “The Heart of Spring,” showcasing seasonal artistic expressions.
The live music scene across Southwest Louisiana is set to explode with talent. On Friday evening, attendees can catch Bernie Alan at Cajun’s Wharf Grill & Bar, the Justin Martindale Trio at Panorama Music House, and Chris Breaux & Six String Rodeo at Chasers Bar & Grill, among many other performances. Rikenjaks Brewing Company will feature different artists, including JP Primeaux and other live music, while The Max Restaurant at The National, Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp, and Bodega Restaurant & Wine Bar will also host musicians such as Paul Piazza and Rob Sax. Kevin Barton will offer a live acoustic set at Blue Iguana, and Leon Moon will perform at Ray’s Lounge.
Saturday, May 17, continues the momentum with a variety of daytime and evening activities. Art enthusiasts can enjoy the Spring Art Walk at the McNeese State University Quad. Literary fans are invited to “Authors on the Bayou” at the Calcasieu Parish Public Library Central Branch. Families can celebrate “Kids to Parks Day” at Lock Park, offering outdoor fun for children. For those with an interest in detailed craftsmanship, the West Cal Arena & Events Center in Sulphur will host a Scale Model Show and Contest.
Community spirit will be fostered at the Charlestown Farmers Market, located behind the 1911 Historic City Hall, providing fresh local produce and goods on Saturday morning. Panorama Music House will feature a Pop Up Vendors Market during the day, followed by a Zydeco Brunch with Zydecane, who will also perform at Rikenjaks Brewing Company.
Saturday night promises more musical excitement. Jamie Bergeron & The Kickin’ Cajuns will take the stage at Chasers Bar & Grill. Crying Eagle Brewing will kick off its 2025 Summer Concert Series with a performance by L.A. ROXX. Taylor Fillion will bring live music to The Daq Shack in Westlake. Other venues like Ray’s Lounge will feature John Cessac & The Hired Guns, Mary’s Lounge hosts Mark Reeves and Twisted X, and The Social Club presents Marshall & Henry. For those looking to participate, DJ Rayne will host karaoke at Kaw-Liga’s in Sulphur.
The weekend winds down on Sunday, May 18, but not without its share of appealing events, particularly for brunch enthusiasts. Panorama Music House will host a Pajama Jam Open Mic in the evening. Earlier in the day, Rikenjaks offers its Sunday Fun Day Zydeco Brunch with Zydecane. Luna Bar & Grill Downtown and Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp will both serve up Sunday Jazz Brunches. The afternoon and evening will feature more live music, including Buddy Andrews & The Branded at Mary’s Lounge, Ray Ellender at Buffi’s Peaux Boys, Paul Piazza at Crying Eagle Brewing, Rusty James at Rikenjaks Brewing Company, and Evan Blake & Alec Dean at Creole Bar and Grill.
This comprehensive lineup ensures that Southwest Louisiana will be a hub of activity, offering numerous opportunities for entertainment, cultural enrichment, and community engagement throughout the weekend of May 16-18, 2025.
Events in Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana
Friday, May 16
Bernie Alan
Date: May 16
Location: Cajun’s Wharf Grill & Bar
Time: 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Interpretations of Nature Through Lens and Pencil
Date: May 16
Location: 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center
Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Interpretations of Nature Through Lens and Pencil
Date: May 16
Location: Gallery by the Lake-Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center
Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Joie de Vivre: Celebrating the Black Creole Heritage of Lake Charles
Date: May 16
Location: 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center
Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
The Heart of Spring
Date: May 16
Location: 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center-Artisan’s Gallery
Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Live Music at Rikenjaks
Date: May 16
Location: Rikenjaks Brewing Company
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Live Music at The Max
Date: May 16
Location: The Max Restaurant at The National
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Paul Piazza @ Tia Juanita’s
Date: May 16
Location: Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Rob Sax
Date: May 16
Location: Bodega Restaurant & Wine Bar
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Justin Martindale Trio
Date: May 16
Location: Panorama Music House
Time: 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
JP Primeaux
Date: May 16
Location: Rikenjaks Brewing Company
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Kevin Barton Live Acoustic
Date: May 16
Location: Blue Iguana
Time: 6:00 pm
Leon Moon
Date: May 16
Location: Ray’s Lounge
Time: 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Chris Breaux & Six String Rodeo
Date: May 16
Location: Chasers Bar & Grill
Time: 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Saturday, May 17
Spring Art Walk
Date: May 17
Location: McNeese State University Quad
Time: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Authors on the Bayou
Date: May 17
Location: Calcasieu Parish Public Library Central Branch
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Kids to Parks Day
Date: May 17
Location: Lock Park
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Scale Model Show and Contest
Date: May 17
Location: West Cal Arena & Events Center
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Charlestown Farmers Market (Downtown)
Date: May 17
Location: Behind 1911 Historic City Hall
Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Pop Up Vendors Market
Date: May 17
Location: Panorama Music House
Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Jamie Bergeron & The Kickin’ Cajuns
Date: May 17
Location: Chasers Bar & Grill
Time: 9:30 pm – 12:30 am
Zydeco Brunch featuring Zydecane
Date: May 17
Location: Panorama Music House
Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Taylor Fillion Live Music
Date: May 17
Location: The Daq Shack, Westlake LA
Time: Evening
Zydecane
Date: May 17
Location: Rikenjaks Brewing Company
Time: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
John Cessac & The Hired Guns
Date: May 17
Location: Ray’s Lounge
Time: 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Mark Reeves and Twisted X
Date: May 17
Location: Mary’s Lounge
Time: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Marshall & Henry
Date: May 17
Location: The Social Club
Time: 6:00 pm
Kicking off the 2025 Summer Concert Series with L.A. ROXX
Date: May 17
Location: Crying Eagle Brewing
Time: 9:00 pm
DJ Rayne Karaoke
Date: May 17
Location: Kaw-Liga’s in Sulphur
Time: 8:00 pm – midnight
Sunday, May 18
Pajama Jam Open Mic at Panorama Music House
Date: May 18
Location: Panorama Music House
Time: 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sunday Fun Day Zydeco Brunch w/ Zydecane
Date: May 18
Location: Rikenjaks
Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sunday Jazz Brunch at Luna Bar & Grill
Date: May 18
Location: Luna Bar & Grill Downtown
Time: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday Jazz Brunch at Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp
Date: May 18
Location: Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp
Time: 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Buddy Andrews & The Branded
Date: May 18
Location: Mary’s Lounge
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Ray Ellender
Date: May 18
Location: Buffi’s Peaux Boys
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Paul Piazza
Date: May 18
Location: Crying Eagle Brewing
Time: 11:00 am
Rusty James
Date: May 18
Location: Rikenjaks Brewing Company
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Evan Blake & Alec Dean
Date: May 18
Location: Creole Bar and Grill
Time: 6:00 pm