Mardi Gras! Galveston: Parades, Parties & Island Tradition

5:00 p.m. Party Gras! Procession

Watch the George P. Mitchell Honoree & special guests arrive to the Tremont House led by a brass band, kicking off the Friday night celebration. Procession will begin from The Press Box on 24th & Postoffice and end at The Tremont House for the 2025 Award Presentation – Honorees to be announced!

5:30 p.m. George P. Mitchell and Newe Krewe Award Presentations

The George P. Mitchell Award was established to honor Mitchell and other individuals, corporations, foundations and groups vital to Mardi Gras’ rebirth and preservation. The Newe Krewe Award was established in 2024 and honors the new, exciting krewes that have sprung up since 2011. Each year the recipients are honored with a ceremony in front of The Tremont House and names are added to a plaque that hangs in the lobby of The Tremont House then the Salute to George P. Mitchell Parade honoring him and the award recipients begins, marking the start of Mardi Gras! Galveston festivities.

7:00 p.m. George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Honoree Parade

Following the George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Presentation, this is the first parade to Kick Off Mardi Gras Galveston 2025! This parade is packed with marching bands, dancing squads & tons of energy. Also rolling in this party parade is Carne’s Fleet of Bumpin’ Busses, The Union Fire Truck & various local Floats throwing Beads & other Mardi Gras treats! Get ready to shake it!

Parade Route: Starts at 25th & Mechanic Street, circles around Mechanic & Strand Street, stretching from 25th to 20th

8:30 p.m. The Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade

In memory of Mary Pregler

The Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade has been breaking World Records for having the most decorated umbrellas in a single parade since 2011. Returning in 2019 with an impressive 1,980 participants, paraders danced along on their route, stopping to perform the “Hokey Pokey” under the iconic Mardi Gras Arch next to The Tremont Hotel. Over the years, fans from all around Texas have traveled to Mardi Gras! Galveston to claim a spot in the Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade. This lively, bedazzled parade continues to gain momentum and an even bigger turn-out is predicted for 2025.

Want to participate? More details and registration

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.

12:00 p.m. Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade

The Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade begins on the Seawall and travels down through the Entertainment District. The Krewe was organized in March of 1985 and is the second oldest Mardi Gras Social Organization since its revival in 1985. The 65 unit parade features 12 Aquarius double-decker floats, 15 marching bands, dance teams, and numerous other floats and walking units.

Parade Route: Beginning at 57th and Seawall, The Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade will head east towards 25th street. The parade will travel down 25th street and enter the Entertainment District at 25th and Mechanic and will go down Strand street.

1:00 p.m. 14th Annual Zaniest Golf Cart Parade

Zany Golf Carts take to the Strand, rolling down the parade route donning Mardi Gras! themed decorations. The event was created in 2011 to encourage the community to become participants as well as spectators in the Mardi Gras! Galveston festivities. The parade is a platform for locals and visitors to get creative, interact with each other, and have some fun. Participants can even choose to compete for balcony party tickets in a cart-decorating contest!

Get involved! Golf Cart Registration

3:00 p.m. Art Car & Jeep Parade

This parade is a feast for the eyes! Featuring rolling art (cars) from the ArtX Group (Houston, TX), combined with 40 decorated and tricked-out jeeps from all over. Entries came from as far away as Canada to participate in this one-of-a-kind parade to display their artistry and craftsmanship. This parade is an exciting experience for families, anyone with a love for creativity and of course, Jeep enthusiasts.

Get involved! Jeep Registration

6:00 p.m. Krewe of Gambrinus Parade

As one of the two Galveston Super Parades, Krewe of Gambrinus launches 14 Huge Floats, and just as many marching bands, tossing over 600,000 beads and trinkets. the Krewe of Gambrinus, is a not-for-profit organization, chartered for the support of tourism and underprivileged children in Galveston, Harris, and surrounding counties.

Parade Route: Beginning at 57th and Seawall, The Krewe of Gambrinus Parade will head east towards 25th street. The parade will travel down 25th street and enter the Entertainment District at 25th and Mechanic and will go down Strand street.

1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. Fiesta Gras!

Mardi Gras! Galveston celebrates Hispanic Heritage with Fiesta Gras!, on the first Sunday (February 23rd)! Mardi Gras attendees will enjoy two parades (1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.) and live entertainment.

This parade is a celebration of Hispanic Heritage! It features Floats, Walking Groups, Marching Bands, Dance Krews & Various Hispanic Heritage Organizations. You can expect to catch beads, enjoy bands & dancing as well as a beautiful display of costumes and pageantry.

4:00 p.m. Los Locos Vaqueros, Jeeps & Golf Carts Parade

Time to get loco! This lively parade will feature Mardi Gras! Galveston-themed Jeeps & Golf Carts, Marching Bands, Mariachi Bands & Decorated Floats throwing beads, candy & other Mardi Gras Swag.

Get involved!
Jeep Registration
Golf Cart Registration

Salute to Texas – First Responders Day: FREE ADMISSION TO VETERANS, ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS & ALL FIRST RESPONDERS + ONE

Thank you for your service!

6:30 p.m. Danny Weber Memorial Fire Truck Parade

In memory of Fire Chief, Danny Weber

A much-loved tradition, The Danny Weber Memorial Parade features more than 25 Fire Trucks from South East Houston, League City, Hitchcock, La Marque, Jamaica Beach and Galveston. The impressive chorus of sirens and horns that fill the Entertainment District continues to captivate Mardi Gras! Galveston attendees, making this parade a crowd favorite.

7:30 p.m. Krewe Babalu “All Krewe” Parade

Krewe Babalu is the “every man’s Mardi Gras Krewe” founded in 1995 by Guy Taylor with the purpose of promoting Mardi Gras festivities on Galveston Island and promoting civic and social activities within the organization and the city of Galveston.

Come join all the Mardi Gras Krewes!

For more information on how you can join – contact: Gladden Walters 281-703-3331

Parade Route: The parade will begin at 25th Street and Santa Fe Place and head south on 25th Street. The parade will turn at 25th and Mechanic, and loop twice around Strand/Mechanic.


9:00 p.m. 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!

11:00 a.m. Krewe d’Esprit Rosaire Parade

Krewe d’Esprit Rosaire is the only Black Catholic Krewe located on the island. Their annual Mardi Gras Pageant was started by Rev. Father Louis Saparito and the tradition continues today with Holy Family Parish. The Parade features many high stepping Marching Bands from Houston and surrounding area along with Drill Teams, ROTC groups, the Krewe Royalty, Committee Members, Church Organizations and many of the church members.

Parade Route: Starts on 27th Street at Ave O, travels South to Seawall Blvd., turns West to 31st Street, turns North to Ave N, turns East and travels back to 27th Street. END (1.2 miles)

1:00 p.m. Z Krewe Z Parade

This parade features bands, military units and zany revelers from multiple clubs, and is led by Big Daddy and Big Momma, followed by King and Queen Zanie and their royal Zoots and Zaftigs. Hundreds of “Zannies” throw beads to the crowds and continue to do so after the parade from their private balcony on Strand Street. Z Krewe takes bead-throwing to the next level with their awesome assortment of unique and fun necklaces!

Parade Route: The parade will begin at 25th Street and Santa Fe Place and head south on 25th Street. The parade will turn at 25th and Mechanic, and loop twice around Strand/Mechanic.

2:30 p.m. Mardi Gras! Galveston Parade

Dance to the beat of these rolling floats! Catch those beads as the floats cruise through the Entertainment District. This parade will feature dancers, marvels, and more!

4:00 p.m. Ben E Keith Parade

Revelers will enjoy this festive parade, as it circles the Entertainment District during the second Saturday of celebrations for Mardi Gras! Galveston, 2025.

Sponsored by Ben E. Keith

5:00 p.m. Jumpin’ Jays Bumpin’ Bus Parade

So Fly It’ll Make You Wanna Die! This is a true party parade that will get you moving and grooving. More than 20 decked-out party buses roll through The Entertainment District bumping music and throwing beads. The iconic Dancing Queen, Dancing King & Lemonade Bus have become a staple for all Galveston Parade Celebrations.

Presented by The Carnes Funeral Home

6:00 p.m. Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade

Crowds grow large as Galveston’s oldest Krewe parades down 25th Street and around the Entertainment District. The Grand Night Parade features a magnificent fleet of colorful floats, marching bands from all over the state, dignitaries, and more!

Parade Route: Beginning on Seawall, the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade will head west towards travel 25th street, travel north down 25th and enter the Entertainment District at 25th and Mechanic and travel down the Strand.

Today is Family Gras! This means FREE ADMISSION TO THE PUBLIC

Presented by Moody National Bank

12:00 p.m. Shriners Children’s Texas & Sunshine Kids Parade

100’s of Sunshine Kids and Shiners children, along with their families, enjoy lunch & throw beads off of a balcony on Strand Street. They will also kick off their parade at 12:00 p.m. throwing beads, candy & more!

Presented by Shriners Hospital for Children & Sunshine Kids

Parade Route: Begins Santa Fe Place, loops twice around Strand/Mechanic.

1:30 p.m. Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Parade

Stemming from a desire for locals and their pets to have a way to be involved in the Mardi Gras! Galveston festivities, The Humane Society created the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Parade 26 years ago, and this crowd-pleasing event has been going strong ever since! Leading the parade each year is the “Elite Pet Owner”- a title awarded at the annual, Paws Gala, which is held each September. Last year, the winner was Mary Cooper. The Krewe also continued the relatively new, Cat’s Eye View Balcony Party in 2020, which grows bigger and better each year.

Stay tuned for a link to enter your furry friend in the parade!

Presented by Galveston Island Humane Society

3:00 p.m. Firefighters Children’s Parade

Local firefighters and first responders host a parade dedicated to the families and children of Galveston with decorated floats and costumed kids. In 2005 the Galveston Firefighters stepped forward to “Save the Children’s Parade” by assuming the role of parade coordinator. The Firefighters felt that since the parades are the main attraction to Mardi Gras, and because the Children’s Parade was the only Mardi Gras activity geared toward children, it was important to keep the tradition alive.

Parade Route: The parade will begin at 25th Street and Santa Fe Place and head south on 25th Street. The parade will turn at 25th and Postoffice, proceed east down Postoffice Street, turn north on 19th Street, turn west on Strand Street, and conclude at 25th and Strand.

6:30 p.m. Mystic Krewe of Aquarius

The Mystic Krewe of Aquarius annual “Fat Tuesday “ Mardi Gras Parade will be March 4, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. beginning at 28th and Market street downtown and making its way through Postoffice street and Strand historic district. The all Krewe parade will feature marching bands, dance teams, and participating Krewes in the final hours of Mardi Gras Galveston 2025.

To learn more about getting involved in this parade, please contact:
Johnny Lidstone, Krewe Captain
Phone: 409-789-4101
Email: johnnylidstone@yahoo.com
Ron Dyda, Vice President
Phone: 409-739-0575
Website

Parade Route: The parades begin 28th and Market Street, east to 25th Street (Rosenberg), turns right to Postoffice Street, turns left and proceeds to 19th street, turns left to Strand, turns left and proceeds to 25th street and ends.

Mardi Gras Galveston isn’t just about parades—it’s packed with memorable events for all interests. Here are some exiting highlights to check out:

• Krewe of Thalasar Wreath Laying Ceremony & Second Line Procession: A traditional celebration honoring Mardi Gras history.
• Balcony Parties Galore: Enjoy prime parade views and live entertainment with an exclusive balcony experience. Learn more
• Mardi Gras Balls: Dance the night away at an elegant gathering:
  • Evening of Emerald Elegance
• Jolly Jester Jaunt 5K Fun Run: Add a festive fitness twist to your Mardi Gras celebrations.

Bring the whole family to enjoy Mardi Gras! Galveston.

• Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Parade: Watch adorable pets in costumes steal the show.
• Mardi Gras Chicken Run: A quirky and fun-filled event that’s always a hit with kids.
• Interactive Parades: Kids will love catching beads and waving to the vibrant floats.
• Moody Gardens Attractions: Take a break from the festivities with a visit to the Aquarium or Rainforest Pyramids.

Pro Tip: Many parades are family-friendly. Sunday, March 2nd is Family Gras! Learn more

Parades Along the Seawall and Beyond

Saturday, February 22, 2025; 12 PM – Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade
One of Galveston's most treasured krewes, Mystic Krewe of Aquarius rolls from the Seawall into downtown, featuring 12 elaborate double-decker floats, 15 marching bands, dance teams, and more.

Saturday, February 22, 2025; 6 PM – Krewe of Gambrinus Parade
As one of Galveston’s Super Parades, this massive spectacle launches 14 huge floats, just as many marching bands, and over 600,000 beads and trinkets tossed to eager crowds.

Sunday, February 23, 2025; 1 PM & 4 PM – Fiesta Gras!
This celebration of Hispanic heritage includes two festive parades featuring floats, dance krewes, marching bands, and vibrant costumes. Expect an energetic display of pageantry, music, and plenty of beads!

Saturday, March 1, 2025; 11:00 AM – Krewe d’Esprit Rosaire Parade
As Galveston’s only Black Catholic Krewe, this parade celebrates culture and community with high-energy marching bands, drill teams, ROTC groups, and a proud display of krewe royalty.

Saturday, March 1, 2025; 6:00 PM – Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade
Galveston’s oldest Mardi Gras Krewe leads one of the most anticipated parades of the season, featuring elaborately decorated floats, marching bands from across the state, and a night full of revelry.

Family Gras: A Celebration for All Ages Sunday, March 2, 2025 – FREE Admission

12 PM – Shriners Children’s Texas & Sunshine Kids Parade
Hundreds of children and their families line up to toss beads and candy from the balconies of The Strand, followed by a fun-filled parade through downtown.

1:30 PM – Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Parade
Galveston’s furry friends take center stage in this parade where pets and their owners dress up in creative Mardi Gras costumes.

3 PM – Firefighters Children’s Parade
Hosted by local firefighters and first responders, this heartwarming parade celebrates kids and families with decorated floats and costumed participants. Reminder: While children are welcome in the downtown entertainment district with a parent or guardian, the nighttime atmosphere may not be suitable for families. Seawall parades and Family Gras offer a more relaxed and kid-friendly experience.

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 views.
• Late-Night Live Music: Head to the Strand District, Seawall, or Postoffice for great bars and live music venues that keep the party going.

Pro Tip: Balcony parties often sell out quickly—reserve your spot early!

Saturday, Feb 22 at 5:30pm: Bret Michaels
Friday, Feb 28 at 10:30pm: William Clark Green
Saturday, March 1st at 2pm: Kevin Fowler

Corona Stage

5:15pm: Platinum Players
7:30pm: Brandon McDermott
10pm: The Line Up

Salute To Texas Stage

9pm: DJ Otunes
10pm: DJ Brony G
11pm: DJ Zitro
12am: DJ Kyxx

Corona Extra Stage

12:30pm: Hayden Baker
2:30pm: Mambo Jazz Kings
10pm: Vegas Stars

Salute To Texas Stage

12pm: Asterium
2pm: Erik Massore
5pm: Mid Life Crisis Band
7pm: DJ 2Good
9pm: DJ Nonstop
11pm: DJ Phon

Fiesta Gras! Sunday - Corona Extra Stage

12pm: Puro Zarpazo
2:30pm: La Fiera de Ojinaga

First Responder Day
FREE ADMISSION for all First Responders, Active Miliary, and Veterans PLUS one guest

Corona Extra Stage

12pm: Ogre
2pm: Kevin Fowler
6pm: Fred Andrews and Honeybrowne
10:30 pm: The Red Wine Band

Salute to Texas Stage

12pm: Ghost Bridge
2pm: Ram Herrera
5pm: Steph Cash
7pm: DJ Bryan Rhymez
9pm: DJ Nonstopp
11pm: DJ CRG

Family Gras! Day: Free admission for all!

Corona Extra Stage

12pm: Asterium