Travel guide for visiting Galveston, Texas during Mardi Gras. Learn about celebrations, hotel deals
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Mardi Gras is the final night before the beginning of Lent, making it the perfect time to indulge in all your favorite foods. Also called Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras historically was a night of society balls in which rich foods were served. Over time, the celebration was turned into a carnival with parades in which participants wore masks.

Galveston, Texas, is in the top 5 United States cities with the largest Mardi Gras celebrations. You can enjoy dozens of concerts, balcony parties and parades in the days leading up to Fat Tuesday.

Enjoy the incredible food, music, beads and crowds bursting with excitement. And when you add the beach and beautiful views of the island of Galveston, this truly is a very special time.

The first Mardi Gras celebration in Galveston happened in 1867 with a masked ball and Shakespearean reenactments. The 111th Mardi Gras celebration returns to the Galveston Strand District from February 18, 2022, to March 1, 2022.

Parades

The parades will begin on February 18, 2022. The Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade has been breaking world records for having the most decorated umbrellas in a single parade since 2011. The parade goers dance along on their route, stopping to do the “Hokey Pokey” under the iconic Mardi Gras Arch. There are a number of parades each day on the weekends as well as parties.

Jolly Jester Jaunt

On Saturday, there is The Jolly Jester Jaunt – Official Mardi Gras Galveston 5K. Runners wearing Mardi Gras themed T-shirts and socks plus elaborate jester hats “jaunt” through Galveston’s Entertainment District. The 5K Fun Run ends with free libations and a balcony party.

Zaniest Golf Cart Parade

Also, on Saturday, is the 12th Annual Zaniest Golf Cart Parade. The Zany Golf Carts are decorated in purple, green and yellow beads and other “zany” decorations.

Fiesta Gras!

Mardi Gras! Galveston celebrates Hispanic Heritage with Fiesta Gras! On Sunday, February 20. The El Norte y La Raza Parade features floats, walking groups and marching bands. See elaborate, beautiful costumes.

Los Lobos Vaqueros Parade

Also on Sunday is the Los Lobos Vaqueros Parade with Roy Lopez of the Houston Texans. This lively parade features Roy Lopez, Miss Galveston Latina, marching bands, mariachi bands and decorated floats. Costumed people on the floats will be tossing beads, candy and other Mardi Gras swag to the crowds.

Danny Weber Memorial Fire Truck Parade

On Friday, February 25, 2022, is the Danny Weber Memorial Fire Truck Parade. More than 25 fire trucks from the region will go through the Entertainment District with an impressive chorus of sirens and horns. This is a crowd favorite.

Mardi Gras Kings Parade

On Saturday, February 26, 2022, Mix 96.5 hosts the Mardi Gras Kings Parade. Elaborately decorated floats have people dancing on them to top hits and tossing beads to the crowds.

Jumpin’ Jays Bumping Bus Parade

Among the parades on Saturday is the Jumpin’ Jays Bumping Bus Parade – So Fly It’ll Make You Wanna Die. This parade gets the spectators movin’ and groovin.’ More than 20 decked out party buses drive through the Entertainment District, bumping music and tossing beads.

Family Gras! Parades

Sunday is Family Gras! Parades that day include Shriners Hospital for Children & Sunshine Kids Parade, Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Parade by the Humane Society and the Firefighters Children’s Parade.

On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius presents the annual Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Parade. Marching bands, dancers and floats will make their way through the Strand historic district in the last hours of Mardi Gras Galveston 2022.

Galveston Food

If you want to enjoy some of the best food in Galveston, you should try some of the following restaurants. They were chosen as the 10 Best Restaurants in Galveston by the users of TripAdvisor.

  1. Gaido
  2. Rudy & Poco Restaurant & Bar
  3. Shearn’s Seafood & Prime Steaks
  4. The Steakhouse
  5. Shark Shack
  6. Marlo’s Seawall Italian Restaurant
  7. Miller’s Seawall Grill
  8. Grotto Ristorante
  9. Taquilo Tex-Mex Cantina
  10. Mama Teresa’s Flying Pizza

Galveston Hotel Deals

If you’d like to visit Galveston to enjoy the Mardi Gras celebrations, you should consider the following hotels. They’re located near the festivities and, if you click on our links, you can save money on your stay.