Orville Cawthon, King Felix of Mobile Mardi Gras in 1905. Each year, the Mardi Gras (or Carnival) season starts with three major events: the November parties of the International Carnival Ball and the Camellia Ball where the city's debutantes are presented, [ 8 ] New Year's Eve and January 6, also known as Twelfth Night or the Feast of the This year, the Mobile Carnival Association has chosen Mobile native, William (Will) Edward Slaton, Jr. to reign as this year’s King. Having grown up in the Bay Area, Will and his family have been deeply engrained in the history of Mobile Mardi Gras. “We have participated in several courts over the years,” says Will. Start your Mardi Gras adventure in Mobile at the Mobile Carnival Museum. The Mobile Carnival Museum highlights the history of Mardi Gras in its true birthplace - Mobile, Alabama. The museum features 14 galleries, video presentations, a pictorial hallway and an interactive float area - all in a restored historic mansion. The schedule below includes downtown Mobile parades. All downtown parades roll on Route A except where noted. For up-to-date Mobile Mardi Gras info, follow Mobile Mardi Gras on Facebook or visit us at mobile.org or our friends at mobilemask.com. Days, times and routes are subject to change. Parade Route A et. Parade Route B Parade Route C VISIT THE MOBILE MARDI GRAS MUSEUM 2025 Events Mardi Gras Saturday. Coronation of the Queen of Carnival 6:30 PM King’s Supper 8:00 PM Mobile Convention Center. 1 p.m. – Mobile Mystics, Mobile Mystical Revelers, Mobile Mystical Friends (Mobile, Route A) 6:30 p.m. – Maids of Mirth (Mobile, Route G), Order of Butterfly Maidens, Krewe of Marry Mates (Mobile, Route A) The late Alex Herman served as the first King of The Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association in 1940. He was the son of Mrs. Alice Sigmund Herman and Mr. George Xavier Herman of Mobile. After graduating from high school in 1916, Herman attended Tuskegee Institute. The CCA, renamed the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association (MAMGA) in the 1970s, set up a voting system that allowed members to elect a "mayor" to serve as grand marshal of their parades. The African American celebration has its own king, named Elixis. The first king of Mobile's African American Mardi Gras was Mobile politician Alex Herman. But hope and gaiety were soon revived in 1866 by a Mobilian named Joseph Stillwell Cain. Joe Cain revived Mardi Gras and mysticism. Carnival is deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the city. Today, there are over 80 mystic societies in Mobile, with more than 38 of them parading during the 2 ½ weeks leading up to Mardi Gras Day. The best ways to celebrate Mobile Mardi Gras! The top things to do, food specials, and so much more. Things to do during Mobile Mardi Gras. Did you know that Mobile is the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the United States? In 1703, Joe Cain was fed up with the post-war misery after the Civil War. He led an impromptu parade through Downtown Mobile.
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