Travel guide for visiting Galveston, Texas during Mardi Gras. Learn about celebrations, hotel deals

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Galveston has Texas’ largest Mardi Gras celebration and you know what they say about the size of things in Texas!  More than three million beads will be thrown in Galveston and that’s just the beginning!  There will be one elaborate parade after another, feasting, family events, headline performances and too many festivities to count!  So many different ways to celebrate!

Festivities begin on February 21 in Galveston and run through March 4, 2025, which is Fat Tuesday and the last day of the Carnival season.

Mardi Gras Schedule

Friday, February 21

2025 Award Presentation at The Tremont House

  • 7 pm – Mardi Gras Award Honoree Parade
  • 8:30 pm – The Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade
  • 10 pm – Mardi Gras! Galveston Parade

Saturday, February 22

  • 11 am – The Jolly Jester Jaunt – Official Mardi Gras Galveston 5K
  • 12 pm – Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade
  • 1 pm – 14th Annual Zaniest Golf Cart Parade
  • 3 pm – Krewe D’ittead Media Art Car & Jeep
  • 6 pm – Krewe of Gambrinus Parade

Sunday, February 23

  • 1 pm – Univision Houston Parade – This is a celebration of Hispanic Heritage
  • 4 pm – Los Lobos Vasqueros Jeeps & Golf Carts Parade

Friday, February 28

  • Salute to Texas – First Responders Day
  • 6:30 pm – Danny Weber Memorial Fire Truck Parade – This parade is a crowd favorite.
  • 7:30 pm – Krewe Babalu “All Krewe” Parade
  • 9 pm – Mardi Gras! Galveston Parade

Saturday, March 1

  • 11 am – Krewe d’Esprit Rosaire Parade
  • 1 pm – Z Krewe Z Parade
  • 2:30 pm – Mardi Gras! Galveston Parole
  • 4 pm – Ben E. Keith Parade
  • 5 pm – Jumpin’ Jays Bumpin’ Bus Parade
  • 6 pm – Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade

Sunday, March 2

Family Gras!

  • 12 pm – Shriners Children’s Texas & Sunshine Kids Parade
  • 1:30 pm – Krewe of Barkus Meowx Parade presented by Galveston Island Humane Society with locals and their pets
  • 3 pm – Firefighters Children’s Parade

Tuesday, March 4

  • 6:30 pm – Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade

Other Festivities

Other festivities that will be happening during this time will be concerts and balcony parties.  Vendors will set up booths, offering unique creations for sale.  The majority of the Mardi Gras activities will take place in the Galveston downtown entertainment district.

You can dress to impress with gold, purple and green being the traditional colors of Mardi Gras.  Many guests wear masks, feathers and costumes.  If you’d like to dress the part, here is a guest selection.

If you’d like to visit Galveston for the Mardi Gras, you should consider the following hotels.  Many of them are offering discounted rates which can save you money on your stay.

And here’s a selection of homes, condos, apartments and other rental units that might be perfect for your trip.  Take a look at these rental options.