Unearth The Voyage
While New Orleans gets all the fame for Mardi Gras, amazing celebrations happen across America every year. From historic parades in Alabama to beach parties in Texas, these eight destinations offer their own special way to enjoy Carnival season. You’ll find colorful floats, delicious food, and plenty of beads without fighting the massive crowds of the French Quarter. Pack your purple, gold, and green clothes for an unforgettable Fat Tuesday adventure!
1. Mobile, Alabama — America’s Original Mardi Gras
Before New Orleans ever threw a bead, Mobile was already celebrating Carnival in grand style since 1703. This charming Gulf Coast city holds the title of America’s first Mardi Gras celebration, and locals take that honor seriously.
Weeks of parades roll through downtown streets while masked balls bring out fancy costumes and dancing. The Mobile Carnival Museum tells the fascinating story of how Mardi Gras really began in America.
Don’t miss trying fresh oyster po’boys from local restaurants, and watch for flying MoonPies during parades instead of just beads. Mobile proves that sometimes the original is still the best way to celebrate.
2. St. Louis, Missouri — Big Midwestern Blowout
Who says you need warm weather for an epic Mardi Gras party? St. Louis throws one of the Midwest’s biggest Carnival celebrations right in the historic Soulard neighborhood.
The Bud Light Grand Parade draws huge crowds every year, while the adorable Purina Pet Parade lets four-legged friends join the fun. Both events pack the streets with families and party-goers ready to catch beads and have a blast.
After watching parades, grab a slice of famous St. Louis-style pizza with its ultra-thin crust. Many local restaurants also serve up authentic jambalaya to keep the Louisiana spirit alive in Missouri.
3. Galveston, Texas — Island Mega-Party
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including Mardi Gras celebrations on Galveston Island. This coastal party claims the title of the third-largest Mardi Gras in America, and the numbers back it up.
Two full weeks of parades roll through downtown streets while balcony parties overlook the action. Live music fills the air as more than three million beads fly through crowds of celebrating visitors.
Between parades, head to local restaurants for Gulf shrimp po’boys that taste amazing with the salty sea breeze. The island setting makes this celebration feel like a tropical vacation mixed with Louisiana tradition.
4. Universal Orlando, Florida — Theme Park Parades and Concerts
Universal Orlando transforms Mardi Gras into a theme park spectacular that runs for nearly two months. The “International Flavors of Carnaval” brings nightly parades with amazing floats and professional performers.
Big-name concerts happen regularly during the celebration, while bead showers rain down from parade floats. The best part? Everything comes included with regular park admission, so you get world-class entertainment without extra costs.
Festival food booths serve authentic Cajun dishes alongside international treats from around the world. This family-friendly celebration lets kids experience Mardi Gras magic in a safe, controlled environment with all the thrills Universal is famous for.
5. Lafayette, Louisiana — Cajun Country Mardi Gras
Lafayette brings authentic Cajun culture to its Mardi Gras celebration at Cajun Field. Le Festival de Mardi Gras combines traditional parades with a carnival midway, live music, and some of the best Cajun food you’ll ever taste.
Parades roll right through the festival grounds, making it easy to catch beads and enjoy all the other activities. Local musicians perform throughout the weekend, keeping the party atmosphere alive between parade times.
Food lovers will go crazy for fresh boudin, homemade king cake, and rich étouffée prepared by local cooks. This celebration shows off real Louisiana culture beyond the tourist attractions of bigger cities.
6. Lake Charles, Louisiana — Royal Gala and Krewe of Krewes
Southwest Louisiana knows how to throw a royal party, and Lake Charles proves it with their glittering Royal Gala celebration. The season builds up to the spectacular Krewe of Krewes Parade rolling down the streets on Fat Tuesday evening.
Earlier in the weekend, gumbo cook-offs let local chefs compete for the best bowl in town. The competition gets fierce as family recipes passed down for generations go head-to-head.
Make sure to attend the Cajun Extravaganza before the big parade to sample winning gumbo recipes. This smaller celebration feels more intimate than big-city events while still delivering all the excitement and tradition of Mardi Gras.
7. Baton Rouge, Louisiana — Spanish Town’s Pink Flamingo Spectacle
Spanish Town Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge creates one of the most unique parade experiences in Louisiana. The Saturday before Fat Tuesday, wildly decorated floats roll through streets filled with a sea of pink decorations and costumes.
This neighborhood celebration has developed its own quirky traditions over the years. Pink flamingos appear everywhere as the unofficial mascot, creating a fun and slightly silly atmosphere that families love.
Local food vendors line the parade route selling crispy cracklins and spicy boudin to hungry parade-goers. The combination of Louisiana tradition with Spanish Town’s unique personality makes this celebration stand out from more formal Mardi Gras events.
8. Pensacola, Florida — Big Gulf Coast Parade Weekend
Pensacola’s Grand Mardi Gras Parade draws over 100,000 people to downtown streets every year. The Saturday before Fat Tuesday, this massive celebration takes over the historic district with floats, bands, and non-stop entertainment.
The celebration actually starts on Twelfth Night and continues through Fat Tuesday with multiple events each week. Local krewes work year-round preparing elaborate floats and costumes for their big moment in the spotlight.
After watching parades, try blackened grouper at nearby restaurants or grab fresh beignets dusted with powdered sugar. The Gulf Coast setting adds a beautiful backdrop to traditional Mardi Gras fun with beaches just minutes away from downtown festivities.
9. Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast — Coast-wide Carnival
Mississippi’s Gulf Coast transforms into a carnival wonderland every February with celebrations stretching across multiple cities. Biloxi leads the festivities with spectacular parades featuring elaborate floats and costumed riders throwing beads to cheering crowds.
Local seafood restaurants serve special Mardi Gras menus alongside traditional King Cake desserts. Casino resorts host themed parties and live music performances throughout the carnival season.
Beach towns like Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis join the fun with smaller but equally exciting parades perfect for families with young children.
10. Shreveport–Bossier, Louisiana — Two Giant Saturday Parades
Northwestern Louisiana hosts one of the state’s biggest Mardi Gras celebrations outside New Orleans every carnival season. Two massive Saturday parades roll through downtown Shreveport and neighboring Bossier City, drawing thousands of spectators from across the region.
Local krewes spend months preparing stunning floats decorated with intricate themes and bright colors. Food vendors line the parade routes selling jambalaya, po-boys, and sweet funnel cakes to hungry festival-goers.
Hotels and riverboat casinos offer special carnival packages with parade viewing parties and live entertainment for visitors planning weekend getaways.
11. Portland, Oregon — Mississippi Avenue Night Parade
Oregon’s quirky Mardi Gras celebration brings New Orleans magic to the Pacific Northwest with a unique nighttime parade down Mississippi Avenue. Local artists and musicians create wonderfully weird floats that reflect Portland’s creative spirit and love for unusual celebrations.
Food trucks serve everything from traditional beignets to fusion dishes mixing Cajun flavors with Northwest ingredients. Neighborhood bars and restaurants host costume contests and live jazz performances throughout the evening.
This smaller but passionate celebration proves that Mardi Gras spirit can thrive anywhere people love music, art, and good times together.
12. San Diego, California — Gaslamp Parties and SeaWorld Flair
Southern California brings sunshine and surf to Mardi Gras celebrations with events throughout San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. Downtown bars and restaurants host elaborate carnival parties with live bands, costume contests, and traditional New Orleans cuisine served with California twists.
SeaWorld San Diego adds family-friendly Mardi Gras entertainment with special shows, themed decorations, and kid-friendly activities that combine marine life education with carnival fun.
Perfect weather allows for outdoor celebrations year-round, making San Diego an ideal destination for visitors wanting Mardi Gras excitement without cold February temperatures.
