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. 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. Mardi Gras! Galveston Parade. Revelers will enjoy this festive night parade, as it circles the Entertainment District wrapping up the second Friday of celebrations for Mardi Gras! Galveston, 2025. Get ready for some high stepping Drum Majors, Rolling Party Floats and tons of excitement! Mardi Gras in Galveston is a time-honored tradition, filled with colorful parades, dazzling costumes, and the joyous spirit of revelry. As the Knights of Momus, we are dedicated to presenting unforgettable experiences, from extravagant balls to magnificent parades that grace the streets of Galveston. Mardi Gras! Galveston is the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country and has a long history of festivities. The first celebration in Galveston was held in 1867, complete with a masked ball and Shakespearean reenactments! In 1871, two rival Mardi Gras societies, or “Krewes” were created. A member of the Ball High School marching band sports Mardi Gras face paint at the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade in Galveston on Saturday, March 1, 2025. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Galveston native and Landry’s owner Tillman Fertitta greets parade-goers at the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade in Galveston on Saturday, March 1 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. 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. The nonprofit initiative enables life skills students from Galveston’s Ball High School to collect, clean, recycle and resell Mardi Gras beads, raising funds for school projects, outings and events. The History of Mardi Gras! Galveston. Mardi Gras was first publicly observed on Galveston Island in 1867. Following a sabbatical imposed in 1941 by war and challenging times, Mardi Gras! Galveston was revived in 1985 by Galveston-born preservationist and developer George P. Mitchell. One of over 20 parades to enjoy during Mardi Gras! Galveston, The George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Honoree Parade takes place in the Downtown Entertainment District on Friday, February 21 @ 7pm. The awards ceremony and Party Gras! Procession precede the parade. Fri., Feb. 21 @ 5:00pm Party Gras! Procession Eventbrite - Krewe of Thalasar presents 2025 Krewe of Thalasar Mardi Gras Ball- Sirens & Sailors - Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Fisherman's Wharf, Galveston, TX. Find event and ticket information. Come & Celebrate the Mardi Gras season with Galveston's ONLY Nautical Krewe! Looking for a night out without the kids? Mardi Gras! Galveston has you covered. Exclusive Balcony Parties: The Cat’s Eye View Balcony Party offers unbeatable views of the parades, live music, and a lively atmosphere. Fine Dining & Dancing: Savor an upscale evening at one of Galveston’s Mardi Gras Balls or enjoy a romantic dinner with Gulf Returning to the 114th Mardi Gras! Galveston celebration - Beads for Needs! Yaga’s Entertainment and the Ball High Life Skills program is bringing back the initiative geared toward getting Mardi Gras beads out of the trash while giving Life Skills students the opportunity to build a business from the ground up and become self-sufficient. Get ready for Mardi Gras Galveston 2025, Texas’ biggest and most dazzling Mardi Gras celebration! From February 21 to March 4, Galveston Island will come alive with vibrant parades, electrifying live music, masquerade balls, and high-energy street parties. Yaga’s Entertainment is bringing something exciting to the 111th Mardi Gras! Galveston celebration. Introducing ‘Beads for Needs’ – a new program geared toward getting Mardi Gras beads out of the trash while giving Life Skills students the opportunity to build a business from the ground up and become self-sufficient. The Mardi Gras Ball for Special People operates almost entirely on Volunteer help with an array of different tasks and fun activities to choose from. If you, or a friend or family member, are looking for an exciting and fulfilling opportunity to volunteer your time, this is the event for you! However, it is safe to say that Mardi Gras has a long history in Galveston. One of the founders of the city of Galveston, Michelle Menard, is noted to have kicked off Mardi Gras celebrations at his home in 1853 with a Mardi Gras ball, which quickly caught on throughout Galveston's early high society. New for 2025, Mardi Gras! Galveston will host a Mardi Gras Ball, with proceeds benefiting Beads for Needs’ mission to open a community living facility. Jon Shapley/Staff file photo The Beaumont United High School Soul of the South marching band takes part in the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade last year. Mardi Gras! Galveston 2025 | All Rights Reserved | Website Managed by Galveston.Com
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