The excitement of the Carnival season is building as we inch closer to the big day, Fat Tuesday, next week, but there’s no need to worry if you haven’t been able to catch a parade or attend any Mardi Gras festivities. There are plenty of hotspots around the state and lots of fun times scheduled for you to celebrate the Mardi Gras season.
The Gulf Coast reigns supreme during the Carnival season as Mardi Gras festivities and parades have been rolling already up and down the coastline, and there are plenty more coming this weekend and next week. On Friday, February, 17, the Ocean Springs Carnival Association Night Mardi Gras Parade is scheduled to roll. Then this weekend, you have your pick of parades to choose from as Pascagoula, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Diamondhead will have lots dancing and bead throwing at their parades on Saturday, February 18. On Sunday, the legendary Annual St. Paul Mardi Gras Parade will roll through Pass Christian, and D’Iberville will be holding their parade. On Monday, Bay St. Louis, will feature their Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse “Lundi Gras” Parade. For the big day, the Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras Parade will roll through the streets of Biloxi, and Bay St. Louis is also scheduled to have their Krewe of Diamonds Mardi Gras Parade.
It’s a guarantee that you’ll have plenty of fun at these events, but if you can’t make it to the Gulf Coast, don’t worry. Mississippi is fortunate to have many festivities scheduled throughout the state, giving you a chance to celebrate the Mardi Gras season. Although the Gulf Coast has been the traditional hotspot for so many years to celebrate this fun holiday, but other locations are getting into Mardi Gras groove with their own celebrations scheduled.
In the Pine Belt, you can catch some of the Mardi Gras spirit at the Little Black Creek Mardi Gras Golf Cart Parade in Lumberton or the Hattiesburg Caerus Mardi Gras Parade both scheduled to roll February 18. To keep the festivities going in the Hub City, you can meet up with your friends at The Porter Public House for Mardi Gras at the Pub happening from February 18 to February 21! There will be Creole food, New Orleans style cocktails, and a release of their latest brew selection.
Revelers can make their way to the Krewe de Roux Festival in Brandon on February 17. Take in all the beautiful floats and fun while you bedeck yourself with as many beads as you can catch. Then stick around for even more fun at the Krewe de Roux Block Party happening in beautiful Downtown Brandon.
Vicksburg will be hosting the 22nd Annual Downtown Vicksburg Mardi Gras parade on February 18. You can catch some beads and have lots of fun in this beautiful historic city. If you’re in the Meridian area or want to take a weekend trip there, Mardi Gras Meridian style. The party starts downtown with Red and the Revelers followed by a very fun event—the Dog Costume Contest presented by Poplar Spring Animal Hospital and Animal Medical Supply. The Krewe of Barkus Parade and the Krewe of Midas Parade will roll at 3 pm. The party keeps on going with a performance by Black Sheep at 4 pm. There will also be lots of fun kids activities, and you can pick up a delicious King Cake and Crawfish plate as you check out the Meridian Main Street Mardi Gras Store.
No matter where you are in the Magnolia State, there are plenty of hot and happening places hosting parades, festivities, and parties to celebrate Mardi Gras and let the good times roll. Don’t miss out on the fun!
