Lake Charles, Louisiana - As Mardi Gras approaches, the City of Lake Charles is rolling out a detailed traffic and safety plan that will affect businesses, residents, and motorists along the Ryan Street parade route from Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, through Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

City Public Works personnel, working with local law enforcement agencies, will begin placing barricades along Ryan Street on Thursday, Feb. 12, and will maintain traffic controls through the conclusion of the Krewe of Krewes Parade on Mardi Gras Day.

Officials are urging drivers to plan ahead for lane reductions, street closures, and parking restrictions, especially in the downtown area and along the primary parade route.

Parking Ban Along Ryan Street During Mardi Gras Events

Under Ordinance 16489, street parking is prohibited during a special event or on a parade route when a special event traffic plan is in effect.

• “No parking” areas will be clearly marked with signs along the Ryan Street parade route.
• Any unoccupied vehicle parked in violation of the ordinance may be towed or impounded.
• Vehicle owners and operators may also receive citations and fines for violations.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, on-street parking stalls along Ryan Street from Pryce Street to Clarence Street in downtown Lake Charles will be closed. Parking will remain prohibited in this section from Thursday, Feb. 12, through Tuesday, Feb. 17, following the conclusion of the Krewe of Krewes Parade.

Businesses along the route will remain accessible to customers when parades are not rolling, but visitors will need to use off-street parking options or park on nearby streets where parking is allowed.

Barricades, Lane Reductions, And Traffic Flow On Ryan Street

City Public Works crews and local law enforcement agencies are scheduled to extend barricades along the Ryan Street parade route on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

• Beginning at approximately 8 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13, barricades will be placed from Clarence Street south to Sale Road.
• Motorists traveling on Ryan Street during this time are urged to use caution, as crews will be working in the roadway.

Once barricades are in place, traffic along Ryan Street will be reduced:

• In most areas along the route, Ryan Street will be limited to one lane of travel in each direction.
• These lane restrictions will remain in effect from Friday, Feb. 13, through the conclusion of the Krewe of Krewes Parade on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Ryan Street will stay open to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic when parades are not actively rolling. However, the entire route will shut down to all vehicular traffic approximately 30 minutes before each parade begins.

Motorists should expect:

• Slower-moving traffic
• Increased pedestrian activity along and crossing Ryan Street
• Delays entering and leaving the parade route area during the extended Mardi Gras weekend

Main Parade Route And Road Closures Around Bord du Lac Drive

The Merchants’ Parade (Friday, Feb. 13), Children’s Parade (Sunday, Feb. 15), and Krewe of Krewes Parade (Tuesday, Feb. 17) will all follow the same major route through Lake Charles.

Each parade will:

• Depart from Bord du Lac Drive
• Travel north on Lakeshore Drive
• Turn east onto Pine Street
• Continue south on Ryan Street to Sale Road

Bord du Lac Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic during these parades, including during lineup and staging times. Drivers should avoid this area and use alternate routes around the Lake Charles Event Center and lakefront.

Mardi Gras Day 2026 Schedule In Lake Charles

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, the City of Lake Charles will officially observe the Mardi Gras holiday. Multiple parades and events are planned throughout the day, culminating in the Krewe of Krewes Parade.

Scheduled Mardi Gras Day events include:

• Second Line Stroll Walking Parade – 1 p.m.
• Jeeps on Parade – 2 p.m.
• Motor Gras – 3 p.m.
• Krewe of Krewes Parade – 5 p.m.

Other parades and events are scheduled beginning Saturday, Feb. 7. Parade details and a full list of Mardi Gras events in Southwest Louisiana are available at www.mardigrasswla.com.

Detailed Routes For Mardi Gras Day Parades

The City of Lake Charles has released specific route information for Mardi Gras Day events:

• Second Line Stroll Walking Parade
• Begins at Pine Street and Ryan Street
• Travels south along Ryan Street
• Ends at Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive
• Jeeps on Parade
• Begins at Pine Street and Ryan Street
• Travels south on Ryan Street
• Ends at Sale Road
• Motor Gras Parade
• Begins at Pine Street and Ryan Street
• Travels south on Ryan Street
• Ends at Sale Road

For these Mardi Gras Day events, Bord du Lac Drive will again be closed to vehicular traffic while parades and lineups are underway.

Mardi Gras Day Road Closure: Ryan Street Between Pine And Sallier

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, drivers will face a significant closure on Ryan Street:

• Approximately one hour before the Second Line Stroll Walking Parade begins, Ryan Street between Pine Street and Sallier Street will be closed to vehicular traffic.
• This section of Ryan Street will remain closed until after the Krewe of Krewes Parade concludes that evening.

This extended closure is designed to improve safety for parade participants and large pedestrian crowds moving between events. Motorists should plan alternate routes and allow extra travel time when navigating around downtown Lake Charles and the midtown corridor.

Law Enforcement Presence, Command Centers, And Public Assistance

Local law enforcement agencies will maintain a visible presence along the entire parade route throughout the Mardi Gras weekend and on the holiday itself.

• Officers will manage traffic control and crowd issues.
• Multiple command centers will be set up along the route to coordinate public safety efforts.
• Law enforcement officials will be stationed at intersections along the route, and the public can approach them directly for assistance.

These agencies will also direct traffic away from Ryan Street after parades to help motorists exit the area more efficiently. Drivers are asked to be patient and follow instructions from officers at major intersections off the route.

Rules For Street Vendors Along The Parade Route

Street vendors planning to operate during Mardi Gras events in Lake Charles must follow strict rules and permit requirements.

Key points for vendors:

• Vendors must have proper occupational permits issued by the city’s Occupational Licenses Office before serving the public.
• Law enforcement officers will check vendors for valid permits along the parade route.

Location restrictions include:

• Vendors are not allowed along the parade route from the Lake Charles Event Center to Clarence Street.
• Vendors stationed north of 18th Street to Clarence Street must relocate off the parade route once the parade begins.
• Vendors stationed south of 18th Street to Sale Road must relocate off the parade route 30 minutes after the parade begins.

These rules are designed to keep clear emergency access lanes, maintain safe pedestrian flow, and reduce congestion along Ryan Street and nearby areas.

Trash, Restrooms, And Cleanup Operations

To help maintain cleanliness along the Ryan Street corridor during Mardi Gras events, the City of Lake Charles will provide several public services.

Trash Receptacles

• Cardboard trash receptacles with plastic liners are available to property owners along the parade route, while supplies last.
• Receptacles can be picked up on the first floor of City Hall at 326 Pujo St.
• Property owners are asked to place the containers within the public right-of-way along Ryan Street during Mardi Gras parades.
• City Solid Waste personnel will begin removing these receptacles at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Portable Restrooms

• Port-a-Cans for public use will be placed on city-owned properties along the parade route.
• Locations will include the Lake Charles Event Center and Lock Park.

Post-Parade Cleanup

Immediately following the Krewe of Krewes Parade:

• Ryan Street between Pine Street and Sale Road will remain closed to all traffic.
• City Public Works crews will remove barricades, pick up litter, and sweep the streets.
• Law enforcement officers will divert traffic away from this section of Ryan Street to allow cleanup crews to work safely.

This post-parade closure is expected to last about two hours after the Merchants’, Children’s, and Krewe of Krewes parades. During that time, motorists should follow marked detours and officer directions when leaving the area.

Guidance For Motorists, Residents, And Businesses

From Friday, Feb. 13, through Tuesday, Feb. 17, those who live, work, or travel in Lake Charles—especially along Ryan Street—should expect:

• Reduced lanes and slower traffic along the primary parade route
• Temporary and extended street closures around parade times
• Heavy pedestrian traffic and limited on-street parking
• Delays entering and exiting neighborhoods and businesses near Ryan Street

Businesses along the route will remain open when parades are not rolling, and both vehicular and pedestrian access to driveways and entrances will be allowed outside of closure windows.

City officials and law enforcement agencies are asking motorists to:

• Obey all posted signs and barricades
• Avoid parking in marked “no parking” areas
• Use caution near workers placing or removing barricades
• Follow directions from officers at intersections and detours
• Exercise patience when leaving the parade route area after events

With one of Louisiana’s largest regional celebrations returning to Ryan Street, the City of Lake Charles is relying on this traffic plan, coordinated law enforcement, and public cooperation to keep Mardi Gras 2026 safe, orderly, and accessible for residents and visitors throughout Calcasieu Parish.