Find fun, festive and frivolous Mardi Gras parties, events, happy hours and celebrations all over Houston from Friday, February 28 through Fat Tuesday, March 4, 2014.
[quote_box_right]Mardi Gras Shortcuts
Fat Tuesday, March 4[/quote_box_right]Sure, Galveston has the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country, right after New Orleans and Lafayette, filled with street parties, parade after parade, balls, bashes, galas and general seaside frivolity. But you don’t have to leave Houston proper to have a raucous good time this Mardi Gras.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite festivals, parties, happy hours, concerts and other Mardi Gras events to help you find just the right way to “Laissez les bons temps rouler.”
Friday, February 28
- Krewe Du Blue Mardi Gras Kick-Off with Lil Brian and the Zydeco Travelers and Funk 4AM at House of Blues | FREE – Start off the weekend with New Orleans zydeco and funk at this free show in the House of Blues restaurant. 5pm.
- Krewe du Blue Mardi Gras 2014 with Sam Pace and the Gilded Grit at the House of Blues – Take a musical trip through the French Quarter with an evening of zydeco, funk, soul, rock and delta blues from Sam Pace Music, Electric Attitude and The Platinum Players Zydeco Band. Tickets available from House of Blues. Discounted tickets available via Groupon for a limited time. 8pm.
- Mardi Gras 2014 “Old School vs. New School” at Stereo Live – Dance to old school, DJ-spun house, electro, progressive, trance, dubstep, and trap in old school or new school gear for a Mardi Gras costume contest. $15 in advance; $20 day of the event. 9pm to 3am.
Saturday, March 1
- A Big Bad Mardi Gras – Get started on a full stomach at this build-up to Market Square’s Mardi Gras Jamboree and Gumbo Showdown. El Big Bad will feature a special menudo gumbo, fried shrimp po’boys and Pepper Grove oysters from Chef Ben Rabbani. The bar will also serve up traditional Bourbon Street cocktails made with fresh juices and accompanied by Mardi Gras beads. 11am to 2am.
- 2014 Mardi Gras Festival and Parade in Kingwood – Enjoy live music from Fred Rusk and the Zydeco Hi-Steppers at this festival in Kingwood’s Town Center Park that also features arts, crafts, food and drink. Noon to 6pm. Parade at 2pm.
- Mardi Gras Jamboree and Gumbo Showdown at Market Square Park | FREE – Enjoy Saint Arnold’s beer, free gumbo tastings and music from New Orleans Hustlers Brass Band and T Bird and the Breaks at this new Mardi Gras event in Downtown. An Art Car Drive-Around the park closes the event. 4pm.
- 15th Annual Yachty Gras Boat Parade in Kemah | FREE to view – Grab a spot to watch elaborately decorated yachts parade through the Clear Lake Channel in Seabrook / Kemah and throw beads along the Kemah Boardwalk before circling back. 7pm.
- Krewe of Aaran Elixir Mardi Gras Boat Ride in Galveston – Join in a festive costumed Mardi Gras cruise complete with open bar, buffet, beads and merriment. $85. 7pm to 11pm.
- The Tremont House 30th Annual Mardi Gras Ball and Parade Viewing Party in Galveston – Don your best 1920s style cocktail attire for “Pearls and Prohibition,” with live music, dancing, a dinner buffet, open bar, themed cocktails, VIP parade viewing, parade after-party and a breakfast buffet to wrap up the night. $200. 8pm.
Sunday, March 2
- Krewe Du Blue Mardi Gras Party with Steve Gilbert Band at House of Blues | FREE – Enjoy a free show of bayou blues with N’awlins-inspired food and drink available for purchase. 6pm.
Fat Tuesday, March 4
- Beads, Bands & Bugs at Ragin’ Cajun’s Richmond, Woodlake Square and Sugar Land locations – Find drink specials, Cajun cuisine featuring fresh, in-season Louisiana boiled crawfish, and live music. Zydeco Dots play at the Original location on Richmond; 4AM plays New Orleans funk at Woodlake Square; and LT and the Zydeco Mob plays Sugar Land. 3pm to 11pm.
- BB’s Café Presents Fat Tuesday in the Heights – Join a Mardi Gras celebration extending out to BB’s parking lot featuring crawfish, king cake, drink specials, hurricanes, beer, po’boys and more. Live music from the Bourbon Street Band followed by Keyun and The Zydeco Masters. 4pm to midnight.
- Danton’s Fat Tuesday Happy Hour – Celebrate the day at a special Mardi Gras Happy Hour with complimentary live music, appetizers and Bloody Dantons (a special twist on the Bloody Mary) made with Deep Eddy Vodka at Danton’s in the Museum District. $10 donation goes to support Urban Green of Discovery Green. Email info@onthemarkcom.com to RSVP. 6pm to 8pm.
- Mardi Gras Krewse on Buffalo Bayou – Enjoy beads, bites and drinks on this special Mardi Gras pontoon boast cruise on Buffalo Bayou. $40 per person. Space is limited and reservations are required. Email tsmith@buffalobayou.org to RSVP.
- Krewe Du Blue Fat Tuesday Celebration with Lil Brian and The Zydeco Travelers at the House of Blues | FREE – Celebrate Mardi Gras with a free zydeco show at House of Blues Crossroads stage. 6pm.
- Mardi Gras at Brennan’s of Houston – Enjoy a three-course menu at this restaurant with genuine roots in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Expect great New Orleans music, a fortuneteller and a Mardi Gras float to set the mood. $65.