About this Event
Mardi Gras of the Midwest is back! – Get Ready to Party at Cajun Fest 2026
Join us Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 12pm to 8pm at The Meridian Events Center in West Des Moines, Iowa, for an all-day Mardi Gras party and crawfish/seafood boil, brought to life by Louisiana transplants and Iowa natives who know how to throw a spicy party!
The party is getting tastier with a new item on the menu: Seafood Boil! Your admission includes ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT: crawfish boil, seafood boil (new), and more Cajun favourites, plus access to live music and entertainment.
And we’re bringing back the once-in-a-lifetime experience: The Gator Table! Your all-day private table for eight is served a whole 16lb, bacon-wrapped alligator to devour! No place in Iowa offers this unique experience. Reserve your Gator Table today because they sold out last year!
General Admission (GA) – $55
Includes:
· All-you-can-eat Cajun cuisine
· Live music featuring BYOBrass, The Swampland Jewels, and unannounced act
· Access to all entertainment, activities, and street performers
· Kids 10 & under are FREE (one per GA ticket)
General Admission (GA) – Group of Four (4) – $180
Includes:
· All-you-can-eat Cajun cuisine
· Live music featuring BYOBrass, The Swampland Jewels, and unannounced act
· Access to all entertainment, activities, and street performers
· Kids 10 & under are FREE (one per GA ticket)
Gator Table (limited to 20) – $900
Includes:
· General Admission for eight (8) adults with everything included
· One (1) Whole 16lb, Bacon-Wrapped Alligator (exclusive for Gator Tables only)!
· One (1) drink tickets per adult
· Private festive table all day long (indoor)
· Cajun Fest goodies
· Perfect for friends and families looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience eating a whole gator!
Live Music
· BYOBrass
· The Swampland Jewels
· Unannounced act
Entertainment
· The Royal Court (Costume Contest) – Come dressed to impress!
· Hot Sauce Showdown (Spicy Food Contest) – Think you can handle the heat?
· Street Performers (caricature artists, tarot readers, etc)
· Camp Cajun (Bead Making, Mask Decorating, Face Painting, and Mardi Gras Crafts)
Location & Details:
· The Meridian Event Center (7001 Westown Pkwy Suite 100, West Des Moines, IA 50266)
· Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 12pm–8pm
· Rain or Shine Event
· No pets allowed on venue grounds
· Free parking
· No refunds
Stay Connected:
Follow us @CajunFestIowa on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn
Visit CajunFestIowa.com for updates and announcements
Ready to party Cajun-style? Grab your ticket now and join us for the most ragin’ Cajun festival in the Midwest!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Meridian Event Center, 7001 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 962.21









