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Texas Mardi Gras Parades & Events

Mardi Gras in Texas

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is celebrated by krewes in cities and towns all around Texas, from Galveston to Jefferson, from Houston to Waco.

This magnificent, costumed, beaded and feathered carnival is rich with tradition and is all about having a good time!

The traditional Mardi Gras colors, dating back to 1892, are purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power).

Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, is scheduled in Texas for Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

Shown below is a list of highlights of Mardi Gras events scheduled in Texas during most years. Click on krewe links for details and parade schedules.

The list focuses on long-running Krewes and those with widespread appeal.

IMPORTANT NOTE Concern over the spread of the Coronavirus virus has resulted in the postponement, rescheduling or cancellation of some Mardi Gras 2021 events. Events are always subject to change. We recommended you contact the responsible event sponsor/krewe to confirm dates, times, parade schedules, routes and other details.

 

Where to Experience Mardi Gras in Texas (preliminary)

City	Mardi  Gras Event
Bandera	Annual 11th Street Cowboy Mardi Gras
Beaumont	Downtown Beaumont Mardi Gras
Clear Lake	Yachty Gras
Corpus Christi	Barefoot Mardi Gras Festival
Crystal Beach	Annual Bolivar Peninsula Lighthouse Krewe Mardi Gras
Dallas	Krewe of Orleans Mardi Gras Ball Annual Mardi Gras Texas Style: State Fairgrounds in Dallas Lake Dallas Mardi Gras
Galveston	Mardi Gras Galveston Galveston.com Mardi Gras Texas A&M at Galveston Mardi Gras Krewe of Aquarius Knights of Momus Moody Gardens Mardi Gras Ball for Special People
Henderson	Mardi Gras sponsored by Main Street Henderson
Houston	Krewe of Olympus Houston Creole Mardi Gras Parade
Jasper	Jasper Mardi Gras
Jefferson	Krewe of Hebe - Mardi Gras Upriver
McKinney	Krewe of Barkus Mardi Gras
LaPorte	Mardi Gras on Main Street
Midland	Midland Mardi Gras
Nocono	Nocono Mardi Gras
Oak Cliff	Mardi Gras Parade
Orange	Orange Mardi Gras
Palestine	Palestine Mardi Gras
Port Arthur	Port Arthur Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas
Rockport	Lamar Volunteer Fire Department Mardi Gras
San Antonio	Bud Light Mardi Gras Parade & Festival
San Marcos	Mistick Krewe of Okeanos
Sherman	Mardi Gras in Downtown Sherman
Texarkana	Texarkana Mardi Gras
Texas City	Mainland Mardi Gras
Waco	Waco Mardi Gras Ball

Mardi Gras parade and festivities in downtown Galveston, Texas (Courtesy of the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau)

Mardi Gras in Port Arthur

Mardi Gras in Palestine, Texas

 

Texas Mardi Gras King Cakes

Long a Mardi Gras tradition in Texas, the King Cake is baked from a rich dough and filled with cream cheese, cinnamon, chocolate, or other sweets. It is topped with a glaze and sprinkles in the Mardi Gras colors or gold, green, and purple. There might also be some beads to adorn the cake!

Traditionally the cake contains a small plastic baby inside ... whoever gets the baby in their piece of the King Cake gets the honor of bringing the next cake to the party or office!

It's just not Mardi Gras in Texas without a King Cake!

 

Texas Mardi Gras Dates in Upcoming Years

Calculating future Mardi Gras dates isn't that difficult!

Easter is on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. The date can range from March 23 to April 25. Ash Wednesday is 46 days before Easter, and Fat Tuesday is always the day before Ash Wednesday.

Using the formula and looking at the calendar, here is a list of the next five Mardi Gras dates:

• February 16, 2021
• March 1, 2022
• February 21, 2023
• February 13, 2024
• March 4, 2025

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