Mardi Gras! Galveston is delighted to announce the distinguished recipients of the prestigious George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award: Mike Doherty and Kenneth Shelton. These two lifelong residents of Galveston Island will be honored at an awards ceremony on Friday, February 21, 5:30 PM, as part of the kick-off to Mardi Gras festivities. Mardi Gras! Galveston Parade. Revelers will enjoy this festive night parade, as it circles the Entertainment District wrapping up the first day of celebrations for Mardi Gras! Galveston, 2025. A group of 9 Festive Floats will be throwing beads and trinkets, plus more marching bands & dancers bringing the hype. Mardi Gras! Galveston, the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, offers the unique chance to experience sand between your toes and gorgeous beach sunsets while taking in the revelry and lavish parades known to dominate Galveston Island during carnival season. 10:00 p.m. Mardi Gras! Galveston Parade Revelers will enjoy this festive night parade, as it circles the Entertainment District wrapping up the first day of celebrations for Mardi Gras! Galveston, 2025. A group of 9 Festive Floats will be throwing beads and trinkets, plus more marching bands & dancers bringing the hype. Galveston comes alive in two main areas: the bustling Mardi Gras Entertainment District in Historic Downtown and the scenic stretch of Seawall Boulevard along the Gulf. Downtown’s lively celebrations fill the streets from 20th to 25th, with dazzling parades, balcony parties, and concerts. Galveston, the extravagance found in Texas’ largest Mardi Gras celebration starts with the beads! More than 3 million beads will be thrown at Mardi Gras! Galveston and that’s just the beginning of the elaborate parades, headliner performances, family events, feasting and other festivities that come with hosting Mardi Gras island style. The Mardi Gras Galveston Parade starts late at night. The route will encircle the city’s entertainment district and serve as the final event during the first day of celebration. Saturday, Feb. 22 Mardi Gras! Galveston returns Feb. 21 through March 4, bringing two weekends of parades, concerts and celebrations to the island. Floats, marching bands and bead-throwing will fill the streets Revelers at this year’s Mardi Gras will notice some changes the City of Galveston has made as part of an effort to enhance public safety during the annual carnival celebration. The island’s 114 th Mardi Gras celebration begins Friday, February 21, and continues until March 4, or Fat Tuesday. Both weekends will be packed with parades The all-Krewe parade features marching bands, dance teams, and an all-out celebration for the final hours of Mardi Gras Galveston 2025. The parade begins at 28th Street and Market Street downtown, then heads south down 28th Street, then turns right down Postoffice Street, continuing toward the Strand historic district. Following the George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Presentation, this is the first parade to Kick Off Mardi Gras Galveston 2025! This parade is packed with marching bands, dancing squads & tons of energy. Also rolling in this party parade is Carne’s Fleet of Bumpin’ Busses, The Union Fire Truck & various local Floats throwing Beads & other Galveston Mardi Gras Parades – Dates, Routes & Must-See Events Galveston’s Mardi Gras is a spectacle of color, music, and tradition, bringing the island to life with dazzling parades, lively Galveston Mardi Gras Parades – Dates, Routes & Must-See Events. Celebrate Mardi Gras in Galveston and Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! Your guide to planning your Mardi Gras! Galveston parade experiences | Feb 21 - Mar 4. Since 1867, Mardi Gras has been a part of Galveston’s story, bringing the island to life with dazzling parades, elaborate costumes, and unforgettable celebrations. Check-In Location: Pier 21, 100 21 st St. Galveston, TX 77550; Cart Numbers: Best decorated judging numbers can be viewed at the following link. Locate your carts corresponding number, print in large font, and clearly display on cart to participate. The Strand – Galveston. Saturday, February 22, 2025. Bret Michaels performing at 5:30 p.m.! Featuring the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius and Krewe of Gambrinus parades. The bulk of Mardi Gras festivities take place in Galveston’s historic downtown in the Mardi Gras Entertainment District, with activities running in the area bordered by 20th to 25th Streets and Harborside Drive to Mechanic Street. Many parades and events also take place along the beachfront on Seawall Boulevard between 25th Street and 57th Galveston, The Mardi Gras! Galveston Parade takes place in the Downtown Entertainment District on Friday, February 21 @ 10pm. Revelers will enjoy this festive night parade, as it circles the Entertainment District wrapping up the first day of celebrations for Mardi Gras! Galveston. For tickets to the Mardi Gras! One of over 20 parades to enjoy during Mardi Gras! Galveston, The Z Krewe Z Parade takes place in the Downtown Entertainment District on Saturday, March 1 @ 1pm. The parade features bands, military units and zany revelers from multiple clubs, and is led by Big Daddy and Big Momma, followed by King and Queen Zanie and their royal Zoots and Zaftigs. The island’s 114 th Mardi Gras celebration began Friday, February 21, and continues until March 4, or Fat Tuesday. Both weekends will be packed with parades, parties and, of course, beads. Galveston’s island-style Mardi Gras has plenty of personality.
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