Louisiana might be the king of Mardi Gras. However, its neighbor loves to party too. From beads and balls to boudin and gumbo to glittery parade floats and sounds of Zydeco, Texas offers a hearty serving of Mardi Gras fun this year. Mardi Gras Galveston is the queen of the Mardi Gras celebrations in Texas, and it is one of the largest celebrations in the U.S. However, more small towns and big cities join in the fun each year.
15 Mardi Gras Parties Across Texas
Galveston
San Antonio
Beaumont
Bandera
Corpus Christi
Kemah
Bastrop
Aransas Pass
Dallas
Kingwood
McKinney
Jefferson
Nocona
Rockport
Texas City
Mardi Gras Galveston
For the biggest and best Mardi Gras in Texas, there is one place to go–Galveston. It is the largest Mardi Gras celebration in Texas and the third largest in the U.S.
With over 20 different parades, Mardi Gras Galveston fun starts on Friday, February 21 and runs to Fat Tuesday, March 4, 2025. In total, over 3 million beads will be thrown to paradegoers along the route. For those in the know, the balconies along the Strand are the places to be.
The go-to parades are the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade, the Krewe Gambrinus Parade, and the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade. Each offers glittering parade floats, marching bands and more.
The Strand is an entertainment district during Mardi Gras and features additional food and drink booths. There are also a couple of stages with back-to-back live music. A weekend-long gate entry is required to join the party, and advance purchase gets you the best prices. Keep in mind, kids 12 and younger enter for free.
Top Things to Do in Galveston
Mardi Gras in San Antonio
San Antonio loves a party, and Mardi Gras is no different. Set along the San Antonio River, the stage at the Arneson River Theatre comes alive with the sounds of Zydeco.
With floating river parades all the rage in San Antonio, the Bud Light Mardi Gras River Parade will be on March 1, 2025. This year’s event will float down two different sections of the River Walk: from 2 to 3 p.m. on the Museum Reach, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Downtown area of the River Walk. There will be food vendors. and visitors are encouraged to dress up.
SeaWorld San Antonio also hosts a Mardi Gras Festival from Saturday, January 18, to Sunday, March 2, 2025. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is hosting its annual Mardi Gras Festival from Saturday, January 18, to Sunday, March 16, 2025.
Top Things to Do in San Antonio
Mardi Gras Southeast Texas in Beaumont
Along the Texas Coast City, Mardi Gras Southeast Texas has been a staple since 1993. Billed as a family-friendly affair, this Mardi Gras celebration benefits nonprofits in Beaumont.
Mardi Gras Southeast Texas features kids inflatables, indoor concerts, and over 50 food and arts and crafts vendors. There are several parades, including the Valero Krewe of Krewes and Krewe of Aurora Grand Parade.
This year’s event will be at Doggett Ford Park, 5115 I-10, in Beaumont, from February 28 to March 2, 2025.
Cowboy Mardi Gras in Bandera
Mardi Gras isn’t just a coastal thing in Texas. Bandera, deep in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, hosts a Mardi Gras celebration each year.
From Thursday, February 20, to Saturday, February 22, Bandera is home to the Cowboy Mardi Gras. From a Gumbo Cook-Off to a Parade running down Main Street on Saturday, revelers don their purple, green and gold and top it off with a cowboy hat.
During the day, visitors can find arts and crafts on the courthouse lawn. The 11th Street Bar is the place to go for an adult party atmosphere.
Mardi Gras in Corpus Christi
For beach lovers, dress up in purple, green and gold and dance on the sand. Corpus Christi is the place for the Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade, starting on Balli Park. This year’s event will be on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 1 p.m.
For a Fat Friday Party, head to Waterline at Doc’s on Friday, February 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. It will feature live music and Cajun food.
Top Things to Do in Corpus Christi
Yachty Gras along the Kemah Boardwalk on Clear Lake
The Grand Night Boat Parade will float by the Kemah Boardwalk on February 22, 2025, at 7 p.m. Visitors will see yachts and sailboats dressed in lights from the shore at 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah.
Mardi Gras in Bastrop
New to the Mardi Gras party map, Bastrop will hold its second annual Mardi Gras celebration. With a family-friendly downtown celebration to a ticketed ball for adults, this Central Texas town is the place to be.
Bastrop’s Mardi Gras Celebration will be on Friday, January 31, 2025, and Saturday, February 1, 2025. It will feature a Gumbo Cook-Off plus Cajun and Zydeco live music downtown.
Top Things to Do in Bastrop
Mardi Gras in Aransas Pass
Located near Corpus Christi, the Aransas Pass Mardi Gras parade will take place on March 1, 2025. It will kick off the Saltwater Mardi Gras festival in Downtown Aransas Pass. Located 235-353 S. Commercial St.
The parade starts at the intersection of E. Magnolia and Commercial St, proceeds Northbound on Commercial St, and ends left on Wheeler Ave. Visitors will find food trucks, Live Music, a Gumbo Cook-Off Competition and a Kids Zone.
Mardi Gras in the Dallas Area
In an area as big as the Big D, there are several Mardi Gras celebrations. First up, the Oakcliff Parade runs down Davis Street and has been a favorite for years.
For adults, the Dallas Bar Crawl is another popular event on Saturday, February 22, 2025. On Saturday, March 1, 2025, Dash for the Beads is a 5K event where costumes are encouraged.
Top Things to Do in Dallas
Mardi Gras Festival and Parade in Kingwood
This family-friendly annual Mardi Gras Festival and Parade will be held at the Town Center Park in the heart of Kingwood on Saturday, March 1. It will include live Zydeco music, Cajun food and a gumbo cook-off.
The community parade starts at 2:00 p.m. at 8 N. Main St. Then, the masquerade ball will be held at 8:00 p.m. at Megaton Brewery, 808 Russell Palmer Rd, Kingwood.
Mardi Gras in McKinney
This North Texas parade is for the dogs. Now in its 23rd year, the Krewe of Barkus hosts a parade where the puppers and their people wear themed costumes.
The Krewe of Barkus parade also offers live music and fans’ favorite—costume contests. On Sunday, March 2, 2025, in historic downtown McKinney, they are headed to outer space from Astronauts to Aliens, the Barkus Shoots for the Stars.
Mardi Gras in Jefferson
This East Texas town hosts several Mardi Gras events each year. From Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2, 2025, partygoers will find parades, balls and more.
The Krewe of Hebe hosts its annual Doo Dah Parade. For a fancy night, the Queen Mab Ball is a ticketed event.
There will be live music throughout the long week of beads and boudin. Families will find a Children’s Carnival, plus food, arts and crafts booths in historic Jefferson.
Mardi Gras in Nocona
Located northwest of DFW, this Red River small town dresses up right for Mardi Gras. What started in 2010 as an effort to revitalize its downtown, the 15th Annual Mardi Gras Nocona Style draws spectators from across North Texas.
Visitors will find a weekend of activities from its separate kids, pets and ATVs. The Big Mardi Gras parade boasts mounted entries, and the horses might outnumber the parade floats.
There is live music downtown and lots of pop-up events to enjoy. The fun starts on Friday, February 28 and runs until Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Mardi Gras in Rockport
Get your beads at this parade that benefits the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department. This year’s event will be on Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15, 2025.
The parade will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Afterward, revelers can enjoy food, drinks, games and live music at 302 Bois D’Arc Road in Rockport.
Mardi Gras in Texas City
The Mainland Mardi Gras boasts an Urban Cowboy theme for its annual ball and parade in 2025. This year’s events are on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
The parade starts at noon runs along Palmer Highway from 29th Street to 6th Street. Paradegoers will enjoy marching bands and floats.
Houston Mardi Gras Balls
Houston lacks a Mardi Gras parade, and most revelers head to Galveston. However, it does host a couple of Mardi Gras balls organized by Krewes, originally from New Orleans.
The Krewe of Olympus LIII Ball will be on February 15, 2025, starting at 7:30 p.m., at Wyndham Houston NRG on 8686 Kirby Dr., Houston.
The KREWE de HOU Mardi Gras Ball will be held on February 22, 2025, starting at 6:30 p.m. at The Woodlands Resort, 2301 North Millbend Dr., The Woodlands.
