The Christmas season may be over, but that doesn’t mean that the celebrations are ending. In fact, they are just beginning along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and throughout the state. The Mardi Gras season is upon us, and the reveling is already starting, leading up to the grand finale of the Carnival season Fat Tuesday on Feb. 13 this year.
The Mardi Gras season is a time of nonstop partying and celebrating. The annual 12th Night Celebration at Biloxi City Hall has been rescheduled to Jan. 10 due to inclement weather. Join the celebration as the Carnival lights are turned on, signaling the start of the Mardi Gras season. The festivities will be from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This is basically the kickoff to a slew of krewes that will be rolling along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Below is a list of all other Mardi Gras events taking place across the state. Laissez le bon temps rouler!!
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Saturday, Jan. 20
Picayune: The Krewe of the Pear Parade begins at 2 p.m., and is a great family-friendly event
Saturday, Jan. 27
Biloxi: The Second Liners Mardi Club Parade rolls at 1 p.m., with its beautiful theme of “An Evening of Wine and Roses.” Don’t miss out on this lovely parade.
Ocean Springs: The Ocean Springs Elks Carnival Parade rolls through the downtown district, throwing lots of beads, fun, and good times.
Pass Christian: The Pass Christian Carnival Association Parade will start at JP Ladner Road beginning at 1 p.m., bringing the good times to revelers.
Saturday, Feb. 3
Biloxi: The Children’s Walking Parade will start at 10 a.m., in downtown Biloxi and will bring lots of fun for the whole family.
Gautier: The Mardi Gras Tailgate Party will be from 2-9 p.m., at 2800 Highway 90, and will feature the amazing tunes of Unfazed Show and Band. The Gautier Men’s Club Parade rolls at 7 p.m., starting at the roundabout on Dolphin Drive. A dazzling fireworks show will follow as a fabulous ending to a great day of family fun.
Long Beach: The Carnival Association of Long Beach Parade is scheduled for 6 p.m., featuring lots of great throws and plenty of fun.
Sunday, Feb. 4
Waveland: Catch the Krewe of Nereids Mardi Gras Parade at noon as it travels down Highway 90, bringing smiles to revelers and krewes alike.
Biloxi: The Krewe of Barkloxi PAWrade is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Cadet Pavilion. It promises to be a time of furry fun, tail-wagging good times, and lots of precious puppy shenanigans.
Friday, Feb. 9
Ocean Springs: In its 15th annual edition, the Ocean Springs Carnival Association presents the Ocean Springs Night Parade beginning at 7 p.m., along Front Beach. The good times roll through the city, ending up at the Ocean Springs School District Central Office on Holcomb Ave. Don’t miss out on the fun!
Saturday, Feb. 10
Diamondhead: Beginning at noon, the Krewe of Diamondhead Mardi Gras Parade will roll, bringing fun and excitement to the festivities.
Pascagoula: Also at noon, the Jackson County Carnival Parade will travel through the streets of Pascagoula, filling the air with fabulous throws and treasures.
Gulfport: The Krewe of Gemini Carnival Day Parade is scheduled for 2 p.m., and will roll through the city of Gulfport, raining beads, moon pies, and doubloons upon the excited crowd.
Biloxi: Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the Krewe of Neptune Night Parade will begin its journey through Biloxi. This parade is always a popular one among the locals and tourists with its stunning floats created by Kern Studios in New Orleans. The Neptune Parade will have 17 floats and a total of about 80 units in the parade.
Sunday, Feb. 11
Pass Christian: The legendary St. Paul Carnival Parade which began in 1930 will roll at noon and is always one of the most popular and beautiful parades with the ornate costumes of the Mardi Gras royalty, the extravagant floats, and of course, the beautiful backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico. Don’t miss the 94th edition of this historical parade.
Gulfport: At 1 p.m., make plans to catch the Second Street Social Club Parade as it traverses through the town, making Mardi Gras spirits bright.
D’Iberville: The North Bay Association Parade is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., bringing lots of fun and good times to the city of D’Iberville.
Monday, Feb. 12
Bay St. Louis: Leading up to the big day, the Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse Lundi Gras Parade will start at 5 p.m. and get you in the perfect mood for the big celebration.
Tuesday, Feb. 13
Biloxi: Fat Tuesday kicks off with one of the top Mardi Gras parades around and the Coast’s oldest Mardi Gras group—The Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras Parade. It begins at 1 p.m. and is extremely popular, so make plans to get there early to stake out a great spot to catch gorgeous beads, moon pies, collector doubloons, and so much more. There are about 100 units scheduled to roll so be prepared for lots of fun, reveling, and good times.
Bay St. Louis: The Krewe of Real People rolls at 1 p.m. and brings fabulous throws and lots of merriment to the city of Bay St. Louis.
Laurel
Saturday, Feb. 3
The City Beautiful of Laurel will be taken over by a wave of purple, green, and gold as The Fraternal Order of Police Laurel Lodge #2 will host its 8th annual Mardi Gras parade beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by Bok Homa Casino, this very fun nighttime parade, the Krewe of Blue, will feature the legendary Boogie Bus, fun floats, moon pies, beads, and local heroes that are devoted to protect and serve the community.
Hattiesburg
Friday, Feb. 9
The Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball will be held at the Lake Terrace Convention Center. Hosted by The Good Vibe Foundation and the Krewe of Lumiere, this scholarship ball will feature great music, great food, and lots of entertainment. The party begins at 7 p.m., and is semi-formal — the perfect time to don those gorgeous gowns and snazzy suits.
Saturday, Feb. 10
The Hattiesburg Caerus Mardi Gras Parade will roll through the Hub City beginning at 4 p.m. Presented by Keith’s Superstore and Mississippi Made and More, this will be the 13th annual edition of this fabulous and fun family-friendly parade that rolls down Hardy Street and through the town.