Catch beads and enjoy parades, concerts, balcony parties and more at Mardi Gras! Galveston from Friday, February 22 through Tuesday, March 5, 2019.
From Mardi Gras merrymaking to Fat Tuesday frolicking, Galveston comes alive for a two-week celebration that delights hundreds of thousands of visitors on the island with parades, parties, performances, and more during Mardi Gras! Galveston.
Marking its 108th festival, Galveston Island is home to one of the oldest Mardi Gras celebrations in the nation and offers a unique opportunity to take part in the classic carefree festivities while enjoying breezy beachside comfort.
Streetside Spectacles
With twenty-two parades crawling through the Entertainment District and along Seawall Boulevard, Mardi Gras! Galveston gives free and easy festival revelers heaps of chances to snag one of the many coveted throws hurled from floats that roll down Galveston’s brightly lit avenues.
In addition to the main Mardi Gras! Galveston parades, a diverse group of social organizations, known as krewes, take the helm of organizing other parades and events, complete with special themes, throws, and entertainment.
Opening Night Parades
- George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Parade | Friday, February 22 – The first parade of the year kicks off Mardi Gras! Galveston, leaving from The Tremont House and touring through the Historic Strand District. 7pm
- Mardi Gras! Galveston Parade | Friday, February 22 – Later in the evening, the beads begin flying at the first major celebration of Mardi Gras! Galveston, circling through the Strand District. 10pm.
Other Parade Highlights
- Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Kick-Off Parade | Saturday, February 23 – The 33rd annual Aquarius Seawall parade begins at 57th Street as it winds 11 Aquarius floats, 15 marching bands, multiple krewes, and more down the Seawall and towards the Entertainment District. 1pm
- Krewe of Gambrinus Parade | Saturday, February 23 at 6pm – From 57th Street, down Seawall Boulevard, and up to Mechanic Street, this early evening parade brings out a dozen lighted floats, marching bands, and more with over 650,000 throws courtesy of King Gambrinus. 6pm.
- Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade | Saturday, March 2 – Dating back to 1871, the Knights of Momus is Galveston’s oldest and largest Mardi Gras krewe. Hitting both the Entertainment District and Seawall Boulevard, this parade is packed with colorful floats, marching bands, dignitaries, and heaps of beads. 6:30pm.
- Krewe of Aquarius Fat Tuesday Parade | Tuesday, March 5 – One of the most popular parades of Mardi Gras! Galveston, this route is decked out with dozens of lighted floats, dance teams, marching bands, and more. The closing celebration of Fat Tuesday, this is a great way to see out the final hours of Mardi Gras! Galveston. 6:30pm.
Click here to check out a complete schedule of parades and routes.
Sights from Up High
Achieve great heights during Mardi Gras! Galveston with a perch above the parades at one of the twenty balcony parties taking place during the festivities.
These ticketed events offer the chance to help rain beads on revelers below, enjoy special cash bar offerings, and dance away to live entertainment.
- Mardi Gras! Headquarters Balcony | 23rd Street and Strand Street – Overlooking the main corner of Mardi Gras! Galveston, this is the place to be for the best views of parades and live music playing on the main stage.
- King’s Court Balcony | 2021 Strand Street – Located in the Historic Strand District, this balcony catches parade routes down one of Galveston’s most popular streets and offers a chance to mingle with some of the festival’s headlining entertainment.
- Queen’s Court Balcony | 2217 Strand Street – A new addition to the 2019 Mardi Gras! Galveston, this balcony is the last chance to catch the parades at the end of their routes.
In addition, balconies across the Entertainment District hold special parties on behalf of the many krewes taking part in the festival. Click here to see a complete schedule of balcony parties and purchase tickets. Act fast as these are expected to sell out.
Family-friendly Festival Fun
On Sunday, March 3, Family Gras! takes over the Mardi Gras! Galveston festivities, inviting flocks of families to gather for a special series of parades complete with costumes, canines, kitties, and kiddos.
- Shriners Hospital for Children & Sunshine Kids Parade – Family Gras! gets rolling with a parade filled with festive floats, Shriners clowns, and mini-cars. Noon.
- 20th Annual Krew of Barkus & Meoux Parade – Sponsored by the Galveston Island Humane Society, this parade sends pets and their owners down a route that swings around the Entertainment District. If you’d like to walk your pet down the parade route, registration is $20 in advance; $30 at the gate. 1:30pm.
- Mardi Gras Children’s Parade – Local firefighters and first responders host this parade, dedicated to the families and children of Galveston, complete with decorated floats and kiddos in costumes. 3pm.
Click here to see a full schedule of parades and routes.
Mardi Gras Music
With more than thirty concerts taking place during Mardi Gras! Galveston, beaded revelers won’t be far from one of the event’s bustling dance floors or headlining performers.
A lineup of musicians from the world of soul, jazz, country, rock and more highlight each night’s parades and celebrations taking place in the Entertainment District.
- Pat Green at the Bud Light Main Stage | Saturday, February 23 – The Grammy-nominated country singer from San Antonio highlights the two-week lineup at Mardi Gras! Galveston. 6pm.
- Duelo at the Bud Light Main Stage | Sunday, February 24 – The Norteño band headlines Fiesta Gras, the day-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage at Mardi Gras! Galveston. 2:30pm.
- Jason Cassidy at the Bud Light Main Stage | Friday, March 1 – The Honky Tonk Heaven singer and New Caney native kicks off the second weekend of Mardi Gras festivities. 10:30pm.
- Electric Mardi Gras at 21st and Mechanic Streets | Fridays and Saturdays – Complete with pulse-pounding DJ sets and laser light shows, this area of the festival is one big party with a continuous concert throughout the night. Pre-party begins at 5pm, with DJs taking the decks at 9pm until 1am.
Click here for a full list of live entertainment taking place during Mardi Gras! Galveston.
Island Lodging
With jubilant celebrations stretching deep into the night, a stay at one of Galveston’s many convenient hotels makes for an attractive add-on to a Mardi Gras! Galveston visit.
From famed historic hotels and upscale offerings, to beachfront condos and budget-conscious accommodations, Galveston Island is home to a diverse range of hotels, atmospheres, and special packages available during Mardi Gras! Galveston festivities.
Click here to see special offerings from some of Galveston’s hotels, or view more lodging by clicking here.
108th Mardi Gras! Galveston 2019
- Dates: Friday, February 22 through Tuesday, March 5, 2019
- Times: Varies by event. Click here for more information and a schedule of events.
- Locations: Varies. Most events take place in the Entertainment District, at 23rd Street and Strand Street. Click here for more information and a schedule of events.
- Admission: General admission ranges from $11.50 to $16, with multi-day packages available. General Admission tickets at the gate are $22. Tickets are required for entry to Entertainment District festivities; parade routes along Seawall Boulevard are no cover. Children 12 and under are free. Click here to purchase tickets or for more information.
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