Take in one or more traditional, raucous, and family-friendly Mardi Gras events in Houston and along the beach in Galveston from Friday, February 9 through Tuesday, February 24, 2018.
Throughout Galveston’s 107th Mardi Gras celebration, plenty of parades and processions will move across the island so naturally, we’ve made a list of our favorites. If you can’t make it to the island, we’ve pulled together a Mardi Gras events happening in Houston, too.
Parades inside the gated Galveston Entertainment District require admission, but several of the biggest events will be free to view along Seawall. The Entertainment District will also offer free admission on Sundays for Family Gras events and celebrations. Click here for more information on the Mardi Gras 2018 parades.
Mardi Gras 2018 Events in Houston & Galveston
Friday, February 9, 2018
- First Responders Day: Danny Weber Memorial Fire Truck Parade in Galveston | FREE Admission for All First Responders and Military Personnel – See a parade of fire trucks, hailing from across Texas, proceed down The Strand with lights and sirens in honor of Danny Weber, Sr, who served the Galveston Fire Department for 30 years. 7pm.
- Krewe Babalu 13th Annual “All Krewe Parade” in Galveston – Showcasing a collection of floats from krewes, businesses and organizations across the region, this all-hands parade starts at 25th Street and Ships Mechanics Row and travels through the Entertainment District. 8pm.
Saturday, February 10, 2018
- Mardi Gras in the Park at Mandell Park | FREE – Kids and adults alike can enjoy this Mardi Gras-style party in the Montrose area featuring king cake, beads, and even a parade at Mandell Park. Costumes are encouraged. 10am.
- Mardi Gras Extravaganza at Brooklyn Athletic Club | No Cover – Make your way to the Brooklyn Athletic Club for their Mardi Gras Extravaganza featuring live zydeco music from Zydecreole and DJ SOULSTAR, crawfish, specials on gumbo and red beans and rice, and a crowning of the Mardi Gras king and queen. Noon to 2am.
- Mardi Gras at Cedar Creek Bar & Grill | No Cover – Cedar Creek Bar & Grill in The Heights hosts a Mardi Gras-style party with drink specials, crawfish specials from noon to midnight, and live Music from the New Offenders starting at 9pm. Noon.
- Fat Saturday: Crawfish Parking Lot Party at Onion Creek Cafe | No Cover – Celebrate this Mardi Gras-style Fat Saturday complete with beer and drink specials, live music, and all the tasty mudbugs, at Onion Creek Cafe on in The Heights. 2pm to 10pm.
- Mardi Gras King’s Parade in Galveston – This midday procession will feature floats, marching bands, bead throwing and more. 2:30pm.
- Mardi Gras Kick-Off at Buy the Glass Wine Bar & Lounge – Buy the Glass Wine Bar & Lounge in Spring hosts a Mardi Gras-style party featuring live music from the New Orleans brass band, The Second Line as well as food and wine. Tickets range from $10 to $25. 3pm to 6pm.
- Mardi Gras Annual Pub Crawl in Downtown – Put your beads on and enjoy drinks from bars like Dean’s, El Big Bad, Batanga and more in Downtown at the Annual Mardi Gras Pub Crawl. Tickets start at $15. 3pm to 10pm.
- Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler Parade in Galveston – Let the good times roll as this Louisiana-style parade in the Entertainment District. 4:30pm.
- Saint Arnold Mardi Gras Ball – Spend your evening having some Mardi Gras fun with entertainment by the Bayou City Brass Band, beer, and a buffet that includes shrimp and Andouille jambalaya, chicken gumbo, red beans and rice, King Cake and more at the Saint Arnold Brewery. Tickets are $50 per person. 6pm to 9pm.
- Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade in Galveston | FREE to view on Seawall – Catch the elaborate floats of Momus, accompanied by marching bands and throwing beads in this culmination of the final Saturday night’s parade festivities. The parade dates back to 1871. 6:30pm.
- Mardi Gras 2018 at Moving Sidewalk | No Cover – The Moving Sidewalk bar celebrates Mardi Gras with New Orleans classic cocktails specials, beads, and entertainment. 7pm.
Sunday, February 11, 2018
- Shriners Hospitals For Children and Sunshine Kids Parade in Galveston | FREE – Honoring children affected by cancer, this Family Gras! parade will proceed through Downtown Galveston on this free family day. Noon.
- Fire Fighter’s Children’s Parade in Galveston | FREE – Local firefighters host a Family Gras! parade dedicated to Galveston’s children and families, complete with floats and kids dressed up in costumes. 2pm.
Fat Tuesday, February 13, 2018
- Mardi Gras Celebration and Parade at The Woodlands Children’s Museum – Celebrate Mardi Gras with crafty activities, a juggler, king cake, beignets from Lou Lou’s Beignets, and a parade at The Woodlands Children’s Museum. Included with general admission. 10:45am.
- Mardi Gras Mambo at Flying Saucer Sugar Land – Head to Flying Saucer in Sugar Land for NOLA Brewing beers on draft and bottle, and a Cajun Burger and Gumbo Special served all day for Mardi Gras. 11am to midnight.
- Fat Tuesday: Mardi Gras Celebration at The Address – Celebrate Fat Tuesday with drinks, food, beads, masks, and DJs at this Mardi Gras-style party at The Address. Free entry before 6pm. Tickets range from $5 and $100. 4pm.
- Fat Tuesday at BB’s Cafe – Dress in purple, gold, and green and head to BB’s Cafe on White Oak for a zydeco concert by The Bourbon Street Band, and Keyun and the Zydeco Masters. 4pm.
- Mardi Gras 2018 at Brennan’s of Houston – Dance your beads off at Brennan’s New Orleans-style Mardi Gras celebration, complete with palm readers, necklaces, a live jazz band, and specialty cocktails like the Rue Royale Rickey and Bourbon Street Smash. Prices vary by dish and cocktails. 5:45pm.
- Krewe of Mystic Aquarius’ 22nd Annual Fat Tuesday Parade in Galveston – Galveston’s grand Mardi Gras parade, presented by the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius, marks the close of the island’s 2018 celebration. Proceeding through the Entertainment District, it will present marching bands, dance teams, lighted floats, and revelry to mark the final hours of Mardi Gras Galveston 2018. It combines all Galveston Island krewes, including Gambrinus, Momus, Babalu, Z Krewe, Thalasar, and Lighthouse. 6:30pm.
Saturday, February 17, 2018
- 4th Annual Mardi Gras on Main in La Porte | No Cover – Make your way to the 4th Annual Mardi Gras on Main, a free, family-friendly street festival at Five Points Park in La Porte by the Bay. Free to attend; VIP ticket packages for drinks start at $40; $45 at the door. 4pm to 9pm.
Saturday, February 24, 2018
- Houston Creole Mardi Gras Festival at Budweiser Brewery – Celebrate Creole culture at this Mardi Gras festival at the Budweiser Brewery off of I-10. Tickets are $10; $7 for children ages 12 and above; free for children under 12. Noon to 7pm.
- Masquerade Woodlands: A Mardi Gras Celebration at Town Green Park – The 1st annual Masquerade Woodlands event will feature everything Mardi Gras including live zydeco, jazz, R&B music, Cajun food, drinks, a kids zone, a pet parade, and of course, plenty of beads for everyone. tickets are $6, but limited discounted $4 tickets are available. VIP tickets are $60. 5pm to 11pm.
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