Protect Your Home from Termite Swarms
April 2026
Runway Debut at Chanel Marks Breakout Moment for Lake Charles’ Ella Butler
April 2026
Exhibits
1911 Historic City Hall & Cultural Center
Tuesday-Saturday
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Free admission
cityoflakecharles.com
April 10-June 6
Residency at the Museum Cohort 3: Solo Showcase with Dominique Espree
Imperial Calcasieu Museum and Historic City Hall come together to present ICM’s Residency at the Museum Cohort 3 with Dominique Espree.
May 15-July 11
Lake Area Music
Explore the rich musical heritage of Lake Charles with highlighted genres like zydeco, Cajun, swamp pop and rock ‘n’ roll. Through photographs, instruments, artifacts and immersive audio experience, this exhibit brings the region’s vibrant soundscape to life.
June 19-August 15
The Rookery: Christy Blalock
A mixed media collection of relief sculptural paintings that invites viewers into the treetops, where every branch tells a story and no bird is ever truly alone.
Imperial Calcasieu Museum
204 W. Sallier St.
April 1-August 16
Something Borrowed: Memories Down the Aisle Exhibit
We invite you to immerse yourself in the beauty of weddings past. At this unique history exhibit, you’ll have the opportunity to read written poetry and view keepsake photography that captures the love shared by family and friends. Bridal gowns, veils and heirloom keepsakes will be displayed, offering a glimpse into cherished memories and traditions.
April 16-June 5
Enrique Alferez Exhibit
Enrique Alférez was a Mexican artist who specialized in sculpting architectural reliefs and the human form. Born in a rural village in northern Mexico, Alférez was introduced to sculpture by his father, a European-trained woodworker. His sculptures and reliefs adorn many parks, buildings and landmarks in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area, many of them commissioned by the Works Progress Administration.
Ongoing Exhibits:
Ripples: Imperial Calcasieu Parish’s Waterborne History Exhibit
Southwest Louisiana Regional History Exhibit Hall of Heroes Exhibit
The Art Factory, Central School Arts & Humanities Center
The Kaleidoscope Galleries
Recurring weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday until May 1, 2026. Near Central Library, Imperial Calcasieu Museum, Coulee at Pithon and Harrison.
Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Central School Arts & Humanities Center
John James Audubon: From Wilderness to Masterpiece
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Recurring weekly Monday-Friday until April 24
DPR Gallery
104 W Pujo Street
Through May 16
Object/Object
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Recurring weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday until May 16, 2026.
June 1–August 7
Breathing Under Water
Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
McNeese Banners
Various locations, times and ticket prices
banners.org
April 10
Family Film Night–The Bad Guys 2
6:30 p.m.
(Bulber lawn – MSU campus)
CPPJ Movies Under the Stars
Free
April 12
Louisiana Grass Roots: A Cajun Prairie Documentary
3:00 p.m.
Free
April 15
Fun With ENERGY
7:00 p.m.
Bulber Theatre
Where art is merged with Science Technology Engineering Math to create STEAM
April 17
Royal Family of Jazz
7:00 p.m.
Bulber Theatre
The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass
$20 Adults / $10 (17 and under) and free to MSU and Sowela Students with valid ID
April 21
Shawn Hagen’s WELLNESS concert
7:00 p.m.
Bulber Theatre
Free
April 22
Concert: Doctor Nativo
7:00 p.m.
Bulber Theatre
$20 Adults / $10 (17 and under) and free to MSU and Sowela Students with valid ID
April 25
250 Years – Historical Panel Discussion
6:00 p.m.
Ben Mount Auditorium
Free
April 26
Kevin Thomason: Poetry discussion & reading
5:00 p.m.
Bulber Theatre
Free
April 30
Jolly Roger and Pirates Alley by Thomas Leveque Discussion & Book Signing
6:00 p.m.
Riverside Park – 1701 Fitzenreiter Road
Free
May 8-10
Tuck Everlasting
Bulber Theatre
Banners is partnered with Christian Youth Theater for this production. CYT is an after-school theater arts training program for students ages 4-18.
• Friday, May 8 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 9 @ 2:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 9 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 10 @ 3:00 p.m.
Standard tickets available $20; Door tickets $25
Additional time and information is at CYTlakecharles.org
Performances
April 16
The Addams Family (Westlake)
7:00 p.m.
The performance will be held at the Westlake High Theatre located at 1000 Garden Drive in Westlake, LA. Tickets are $10.00 per person and must be purchased online at gofan.co/event/6200263?schoolId=LA18415
ACTS Theatre
The Mousetrap – May 8-17
The Shark is Broken – June 12-14
The Sound (fundraiser) – June 20
For details and information on upcoming shows, actstheatre.com
April 24-26
Lake Charles Little Theatre
Old School Living (In Our Old School)
lclittletheatre.com
The comedy follows former high school classmates who purchase their old school to turn the classrooms into condos and move in together after a class reunion. The play explores themes of community, memory and the challenges of “old school living” in a modern world.
Children’s Theatre
April 25
Rapunzel
7:30 p.m.
The story of Rapunzel is a well-known German fairytale by the published by Brothers
Grimm in 1812. It tells the story of a young girl with exceptionally long hair, locked away in a
tower by a witch named Mother Gothel. Performances will be held at Westlake High Theatre at 1000 Garden Drive in Westlake. Tickets are $15.00 per person for general seating and may be purchased at childrenstheatre.cc.
June 15-19
Summer Theatre Camp 2026
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
EXTREME Theatre Camp: For boys and girls ages 8 to 18. $150 Registration Fee.
Professional instructors lead students through a fun-filled exploration of voice,
movement, creative play-making and character development. The session concludes with
an abbreviated performance. No experience is required.
Festivals
April 10-12
Louisiana Railroad Days Festival
Dequincy, La.
larailroaddaysfestival.com
DeQuincy celebrates its railroading heritage with a fun-filled four-day festival. See their website for a full schedule of events.
April 18
This is Home Fest
FREE Festival that celebrates SWLA’s unique culture by spotlighting eclectic local and global music and arts.
12:00 p.m.
Lake Charles Event Center
Admission: Free, VIP wristbands available
thisishomefest.com
This is Home Fest celebrates Southwest Louisiana culture through eclectic music and art. Concertgoers can visit two different stages. For a full list of artists, see their website.
April 25
Chamber Fest
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Pinederosa Park, 3104 Westwood Road, Westlake
Free admission
Get ready for the ultimate experience at Chamber Fest – the festival with a business twist in Southwest Louisiana! Featuring senior bingo, an outdoor festival, food trucks, vendor booths, live entertainment and a car show.
May 9
Wellness on the Water Festival
8:00 a.m.
Lake Charles Event Center – General Admission: Free, 5K registration: $35
June 14
Holly Beach Crab Festival
Friday at 5:00 p.m., Saturday at 10:30 a.m., Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
June 14-19
Juneteenth Freedom Festival
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, 2009 N. Simmons St. Lake Charles, LA 70601
FREE Admission 6/14 at 3:00 p.m., 6/15 at 8:00 a.m., 6/16 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., & 4:00 to 9:00 p.m., 6/17 at 9:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m., 6/18 at 7:00 p.m., 6/19 at 12:00 p.m.
Other Events
Friday, April 4, 5:30–10:00 p.m.
Live @ the Lakefront Concert Series
Arcade Amphitheatre
900 Lakeshore Dr.
Free admission
artscouncilswla.org
The 2026 Live at the Lakefront concert series is back by popular demand and continues to be a fantastic free-to-the-public music and art festival. For the 13th anniversary, Live @ the Lakefront (L@LF) will feature local bands, live art demonstrations, an outdoor art market , and a food truck lineup to create a full-fledged music festival experience on the shores of Lake Charles.
Live @ the Lakefront is presented annually by The Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA as part of their continued commitment to spreading local arts and culture initiatives. Beverage proceeds benefit The Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA.
APRIL 9
Downtown in Bloom
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Ryan Street & Broad Street
April 11
Blessing at The Commons (Sulphur)
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Community clean-up, spring picnic, and blessing of gardens and shared community spaces with local faith leaders.
April 18
Earth Day Extravaganza (Sulphur)
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Public unveiling of a large-scale community art installation created from reclaimed materials collected during neighborhood cleanups, along with live music, youth activities and educational exhibits.
April 18-19
Flea Fest
Burton Coliseum
Admission: $5
fleafest.com
Flea Fest’s offerings include antiques, retro & vintage items, handcrafted items, toys, collectibles, unique clothing, artwork, comic books, furniture, gifts, unique & handcrafted jewelry, plants, records, military surplus, and many other flea market style goods.
APRIL 19
Music in the Park
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park
May 1, May 8, May 15, May 22
Downtown at Sundown Concert Series
6:00–9:00 p.m.
Downtown Lake Charles
cityoflakecharles.com
Hosted by the City of Lake Charles, the ever-popular Downtown at Sundown takes place on Ryan Street between Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center and the Parish Courthouse. While music is the primary draw, you’ll also find tabletop art galleries, activities for children and food booths for downtown restaurants. Each concert features a different local or regional artist performing favorite music genres, including swamp pop, Cajun, zydeco and classic rock. Stay tuned for this year’s lineup!
May 16
Spring Art Walk
12:00–4:00 p.m.
Downtown Lake Charles
Free admission
artscouncilswla.com
The Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA hosts Art Walk each spring. This event features area artists in pop-up galleries, art activities and demonstrations, adult and student Art War competitions, food truck and booths, live performances, and an impressive Outdoor Art Market with vendors offering a wide variety of items. Artists, both individual and teams, are invited to create a mural live in front of a street-side audience in only an hour.
