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Top Picks | Mardi Gras Celebrations

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Plan an RV Trip to a Mardi Gras Celebration

mardi-gras

Top places to celebrate Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday.

Pensacola, Florida

In Florida you will find some amazing Mardi Gras celebrations, they enjoy Mardi Gras in their unique Florida way. Pensacola has one of Florida's great Mardi Gras celebrations, the events begin in early January and continue until Mardi Gras, which is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday each year. You can enjoy the parades, some occur in the evening and some during the day. There are also a variety of Mardi Gras balls, as well as breakfast and dinner events. Pensacola celebrates Mardi Gras in style and visitors can join the local revelers in enjoying the food and drink at a variety of local establishments that offer fun Mardi Gras events.

Mobile, Alabama

Mobile is the place to visit if you are looking for a unique Carnival or Mardi Gras experience. The diverse cultural influences of the city make it one of Alabama's most unique cities. It's mix of Catholic, Creole, French and Spanish make for an amazing Carnival Celebration. Mobile is home to the original Mardi Gras celebrations. The Carnival celebrations can start in November and continue until midnight on Mardi Gras. During this time period the streets are filled with parades, live marching bands and immense crowds of celebrators. Another way to experience the history and culture of Carnival, visitors can stop at the Mobile Carnival Museum.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

In Baton Rouge the parades start in February and the fun doesn't end until after Mardi Gras. The parades are all hosted by different groups around the city. Should you choose to spend Mardi Gras season in Baton Rouge, you will have many options to enjoy the masquerade and excitement of the celebrations. You can collect beads and enjoy the party atmosphere of the events. Mardi Gras in Louisiana is unlike any other event in the world.

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is known for the biggest and best Carnival/Mardi Gras celebration in the entire United States. The Big Easy starts celebrating Carnival as early as the end of January and continues the celebration right up to Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. In New Orleans you will find a different parade each night, all with amazing floats, colorful costumes and lots of fun. Mardi Gras is a celebration that unites many of the diverse origins of the city under one event. Visitors to New Orleans can see the Mardi Gras Indians or watch the Zulu parade. A single visit to New Orleans during the Carnival season will never be enough to truly experience all that Carnival is in New Orleans.

Layfayette, Louisiana | A Cajun Mardi Gras

Layfayette celebrates the full mardi Gras season with a Cajun flair featuring traditional balls sponsored by well established Krewes, parades and other festivities.  Plus for a rural take on Mardi Gras deep in Cajun country drive out of Lafayette just ten miles or so in any direction and you'll find the Mardi Gras season celebrated in a whole different way. Shiny floats are replaced with flatbeds, wagons and men on horseback. Glittery costumes are replaced with frocks of patchwork and calico, screened masks and tall, pointed capuchons...an art form all their own.

A king and a royal court? Maybe at the Golden Age club. Look instead for Capitaine and his band of merry men on horseback. A traditional fais-do-do replaces a fancy ball. And you haven't seen it all until you've seen the courir, a house-to-house escapade in search of gumbo fixins'.  Learn more.

San Diego, California

The Fat Tuesday celebration in San Diego centers on the always fun entertainment area - the Gaslamp District.  Theevening event featuring the Incredible Mascarade Parade, DJs, live music and much more.  Get more info.

Paradise, Michigan

Annual Mardi Gras de Snow - Paradise, Michigan.  February 17 & 18, 2012
It may not be New Orleans, but Mardi Gras time in Paradise, Michigan delivers its share of winter time fun, food and friendship for the entire snowmobiling family or spectators.  Learn More.

Nevada City, California

A Downtown Nevada City Parade, Masquerade Ball and Carnivale are featured the weekend before Mardi Gras in this colorful Sierra foothills town.   Weekend activities open Saturday night with a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, featuring a live band,  in historic Miners Foundry.  On Sunday, the Mardi Gras Street Faire will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m featuring food, drinks, crafts, and clothing. The Mardi Gras Parade begins at 2 p.m. heads down Broad Street through the center of town. It is a rain or shine event. Merry spectators of all ages line the parade route while gaily masked societies parade through the historic district handing out beads, toys, trinkets, bangles and more. Everyone is encouraged to attend in festive Mardi Gras attire.  And new this year, they will host a festive after-the-parade Carnivale for the whole family at the Miners Foundry.  Enjoy New Orleans style food, hot dogs, ice cream & desserts, soft drinks & specialty coffees.  Get more info.

St. Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis holds one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations outside of Louisiana. Most events are centered in and around Soulard Park. Running through the 21st of February there are plenty of activities and fun for everyone, with pet parades, wiener dog races, a winter carnival and traditional Mardi Gras parades.  Plus there are plenty of parties on the weekend before Mardi Gras. On Fat Tuesday the event culminates with a colorful and festive illuminated night time parade that crisscrosses Downtown Saint Louis.  Parade starts @ 7 Pm at the corner of Washington and Broadway.   All-in-all, this is a tamer Carnival celebration that is slightly more family-friendly than its New Orleans counterpart.  Get more info.

Galveston, Texas

Rich in history, Mardi Gras! Galveston will celebrate 101 years on the island in 2012 with six new parades and plenty of opportunity for you to be a part of the festivities, from the new Decorated Golf Cart parade to the wildly popular Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade’s attempt for another world record!  In total, Mardi Gras! Galveston 2012 will feature 26 concerts, 24 parades, 19 balcony parties and five elegant masked balls.  Learn more.

Norman, Oklahoma

2012 marks the 17th year of the Norman, Oklahoma Mardi Gras celebration and parade.  Billed as Mardi Gras celebrated Oklahoma sytle.  The Norman Mardi Gras Krewe brings together Zydeco bands and more to heat up the Norman Mardi Gras Parade.  Past parades have featured troupes of fire dancers, jazz bands, poi dancers, an electric guitar marching band, stylish Harleys and flamingo dancers.  Get more info.

Host your Own Mardi Gras

Can't head out to a Mardi Gras celebration - plan one of your own for family and friends.

Throw a Mardi Gras Party

More Mardi Gras Recipes

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