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Best Mardi Gras Parades for Kids. Most parades will offer kids the sense of wonder that comes with seeing massive floats bedecked with flashy colors, bright lights, and astounding sculpture work, plus kids love the festive costumes and endless amount of beads and trinkets that surround the masked riders on the float. But some parades stand out Mardi Gras in the St. Louis neighborhood of Soulard is composed of a number of events, but the highlights for families probably are the Pet Parade (the Guinness Record holder for the largest parade of costumed animals); the Dachshund Derby, where the long dogs compete in three aged-based categories: Cocktail Weenies, Ballpark Franks, and Hot Tips for New Orleans Mardi Gras with Kids. Plan your parades—You can find all the Mardi Gras parade schedules and routes online and there’s also a parade tracker app. We found it took about two hours from the parade start time for it to reach Lafayette Square where we were watching, so station yourself closer to the beginning to get home earlier. There is never a shortage of things to do in New Orleans with kids, but Mardi Gras takes the (king) cake! If you are looking for family-friendly Mardi Gras events in New Orleans and the surrounding area, we have you covered for 2025! 2025 Guide to New Orleans Mardi Gras Events and Camps. It’s time to bust out the green, purple and gold! 5. Give your kids a history lesson . There's more to Mardi Gras than gathering loot at parades. Take your children to the Carnival exhibit at The Presbytère on Jackson Square and explore two floors of Mardi Gras history, or visit Mardi Gras World and see how floats are made. Bonus Activity: The Baton Rouge Zoo hosts its own Mardi Gras-themed events, like parades with costumed animals. 3. Galveston, Texas. Galveston’s Mardi Gras celebration is Texas-sized fun, with lots of options for families. Don’t Miss: The Sunshine Kids Parade, which focuses on children with floats, music, and goodies tailored for families Lake Charles also hosts the Krewe of Barkus parade that encourages pets, their owners and all who want to participate to dress in their Mardi Gras best. Jeanerette. The Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade is a unique experience the whole family will love. This rural Mardi Gras parade in the heart of Cajun Country takes place at the corner of Highway The best end of the parades for families are the Uptown side, far away from Bourbon Street and its notorious reputation. Phone’s off the hook? Good. Here are a couple of kid friendly Mardi Gras parades that the whole family can enjoy: 1. The Rex parade. The Rex has been ruling Mardi Gras ever since it was introduced to the streets back in 1872. Tips for Attending Mardi Gras with Kids. Mardi Gras New Orleans is great fun and definitely a memorable experience for the whole family. But before you go, there are just a few words of advice we want to leave you with. First 1. Download the Mardi Gras parade tracker. This is an app that tells you the parade schedule. Selecting Kid-Friendly Mardi Gras Events. One of the most popular family-friendly events during Mardi Gras is Family Gras, a free celebration held in Jefferson Parish. This event features live concerts, parades, local art, and a dedicated Kids’ Court with activities and entertainment designed specifically for children. Grandstands. If you want to be as close to the action as possible but don’t want to stand in crowds, then booking into one of the grandstands is an excellent idea.. When it comes to figuring out where to watch the Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans, you won’t be surprised to learn that the grandstands are highly popular. Mardi Gras Houston 2025 – Free Events 31st Annual Mardi Gras Festival and Parade. Kingwood is celebrating Mardi Gras Houston with its 31st annual festival. Enjoy a family friendly day with a parade, zydeco music, Cajun food, and the gumbo cookoff. When: March 1, 2025 | 11:00 am – 5:00 pm; Where: 8 N Main St, Kingwood, TX 77339; How Much: FREE This app is a valuable resource when trying to navigate Mardi Gras in Mobile/Baldwin Counties. Here you can find parade schedules, routes and up to date information including weather and traffic! For more information, see link below. Mardi Gras 2025 parade schedule for Mobile Alabama and Baldwin County (fox10tv.com) There’s nothing quite like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. One of the world’s most iconic celebrations – and definitely one of the most well-known experiences in New Orleans – Mardi Gras is a mix of parades, music, food, and local culture that takes over the city for an experience like no other. Great question! Here's a quick list: a comfortable folding chair, plenty of snacks and water, sunscreen, a portable phone charger, and a bag to hold all your throws. Also, cash is king at Mardi Gras, so hit the ATM before you head out. Can I bring my kids to Mardi Gras parades? Absolutely! Mardi Gras is a family-friendly event. Mardi Gras is a time of vibrant celebration marked by bold colors, festive music, and plenty of fun. While the holiday is most famously associated with the lively parades and parties of New Orleans, you can bring the magic of Mardi Gras right into your home with these kid-friendly crafts. Teach your kids the basics of parade etiquette: like staying far back enough from the floats, sticking to our area, and never leaving the spot without a buddy or telling an adult. Middle School and Beyond: Mardi Gras Pros in the Making. As kids grow into their tween and teen years, they’ll start to appreciate Mardi Gras on a whole new level. Mardi Gras San Antonio 2025 – Free Events Mardi Gras Artisan Show. Discover unique, handcrafted treasures at the San Antonio River Walk! Over 40 talented artists showcase and sell their beautiful, handmade merchandise. When: February 28, 2025 – March 2, 2025 | 11:00 am – 11:00 pm; Where: San Antonio, TX 78205; How Much: FREE The Twin Cities’ Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras parade will celebrate its 42nd year of Mardi Gras tradition and flavor in the Twin Cities in 2025. The Twin Cities' Krewe of Janus Parade has entertained revelers since 1984 who eagerly gather along the 3.8-mile route through West Monroe and Monroe. The first ball was held in 1857 by the Mistick Krewe of Comus. Comus hosted the first parade, followed by Rex in 1872, which debuted the king of Mardi Gras. The Rex parade gave Mardi Gras the official colors of purple to represent justice, green to represent faith, and gold to represent power. The three colors were to represent the “king.”
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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.