Fall in Lake Charles: Where Music, Food & Festivals Shine

Fall arrives in Lake Charles with music in the streets, spirited festivals, and history around every corner. From the rush of carnival rides to sipping bourbon under the courthouse lights, the harvest season here is more than just a backdrop. If you're chasing flavors, frights, or a front-row seat to live performances, Lake Charles has something waiting for you. All you have to do is come and find it! Here’s what the months ahead have in store:

Cal Cam Fair

Thursday - Sunday, September 4 - 7, 2025 $5 - $10 Per Person (Children 10 & Under FREE) Back for its 103rd year, the annual Cal Cam Fair is ready to light up your fall! Head to the West Cal Arena & Events Center for a weekend of thrilling rides, live music, classic bites, and timeless fair traditions. Whether you’re coming with family or friends, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season. Come for the fun, stay for the memories you’ll talk about all year!

Thursday - Sunday, September 18 - 21, 2025 $79 - $350 Per Person Over 300 tasting experiences. More than 40 restaurants. One unforgettable Louisiana Food & Wine Festival. This multi-day celebration features all-inclusive events that spotlight the culinary talent and beverage expertise behind Louisiana's Cajun and Creole heritage. Enjoy local culture, fresh seafood, artisan goods, live music, and more.

Louisiana Food & Wine Festival

Only Thursdays, October 16 - November 6, 2025 FREE Stroll the picturesque streets of the Charpentier Historic District and let the music guide you! Take in live performances on the lawns of beautifully preserved homes as you celebrate local artists, browse food and art vendors, and soak in the community spirit of Lake Charles. Bring your chairs, your blankets, and yes, your pets are more than welcome too!

Charpentier District Front Porch Series

Saturday, November 1, 2025 $20 Per Adult, $15 Per Senior (Children 12 & Under FREE) Explore the cemeteries of Lake Charles in the company of long-departed historic figures. The Living History Cemetery Tour offers a captivating glimpse into local history, as actors in period attire embody the very souls laid to rest along your path. Step back in time, uncover the lives that shaped the city, and keep an eye out for wandering spirits.

Living History Cemetery Tour

In Lake Charles, the fall season is packed with flavor, rhythm, and charm. So, what better time is there to visit? You might come for the Southwestern tastes, the lively local sound, or the thrill of discovering something new, but you’ll leave with more than you ever expected. And best of all? You’ll already be planning your next trip back. For more information regarding event schedules, locations, and pricing, visit here.

Saturday, September 13, 2025 FREE Get ready for the largest literary event in Southwest Louisiana! The South Coast Book Festival is a one-day celebration of reading, creativity, and community—held on the second and third floors of the Lake Charles Event Center. With book signings, storytelling sessions, local author spotlights, and food trucks on-site, you’re sure to leave with your next great read!

South Coast Book Festival

September 26 - November 1, 2025 $30 - $50 Per Person Can you brave The Lost Hollows? This chilling outdoor haunt takes victims by hayride into the darkest woods in Southwest Louisiana, where you’ll travel a nerve-rattling trail crawling with monsters. For the truly fearless, attend on November 1 for Lights Out, when every light along the Deadly Pines trail goes dark… and your only guide is a flashlight.

The Lost Hollows Haunted Attraction

Saturday, October 18, 2025 FREE Born from a humble 10th-anniversary celebration for Luna Bar and Grill, Chuck Fest has grown into one of Lake Charles’ biggest annual festivals. Today, the event spans five stages across the downtown area—including Luna Bar & Grill, Stellar Beans, and Panorama Music House. Don’t miss this culmination of the very best in Louisiana’s music, food, art, and community!

Chuck Fest

Saturday-Sunday, November 15 - 16, 2025 $5 Per Person You’ve never seen a market like this! Spanning acres and packed with vendors, Flea Fest is a bargain hunter’s paradise. Hosted at the Burton Complex Event Barn, the festival gathers everything from antiques and handcrafted goods to vintage collectibles and one-of-a-kind clothing. There’s something for everyone, plus plenty you didn’t know you needed.

Flea Fest

By MONICA VANOVER on AUGUST 8, 2025

You can’t visit the Southwest without diving into its local flavors. So let Lake Charles serve them up right! As the weather cools, warm up with gumbo you won’t find anywhere else. Looking for an upscale yet casual bite? Try Pujo Street Cafe. Want something more homey? Head to Mama Reta’s Kitchen for a heartfelt meal made by Mama Reta herself—just note, it’s drive-thru only. For that New Orleans French Quarter vibe, Nina P’s Cafe hits the mark, while Seafood Palace offers a casual dining spot with award-winning seafood dishes. If you’re chasing the bold flavor of Southwest Louisiana’s signature snack, Lake Charles is boudin central. B&O Kitchen & Grocery serves up specialty meats and long-standing family recipes, while Famous Foods brings the down-home charm. Need a quick bite? In-Laws Cajun Specialties has you covered. Or settle in at Leonard’s Food Quarters for a laid-back dining experience with plenty of soul. No matter what you’re hungry for, you’ll find that every meal in Lake Charles comes with a hearty side of Southern hospitality!

Gumbo, Boudin, and All the Southwest Staples

Thursday-Sunday, November 20 - 23, 2025 $133.50+ Per Person Select bourbons, award-winning BBQ, and pure Louisiana spirit. Now in its 7th year, Smoke & Barrel returns to the lawn of the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse for a weekend of rich flavor and Southwest soul. Featuring over 150 premium bourbons, whiskeys, and scotches, guests can savor bold barbecue, explore local artisan goods, and move to the rhythm of live music.

Smoke & Barrel

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Stay Your Way in Lake Charles

A Fall You Won’t Forget

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