How many dull February days have you spent relaxing on a couch in a nice warm house watching people the world over dancing in parades, laughing, wearing weird costumes, with all those beads, surrounded by the sounds of marching bands and music, and having fun? For too long, right? Let’s join the party.
You might not have to travel far to get into the Mardi Gras spirit, either. There are celebrations planned in cities all across the country, plus Mexico and the Caribbean. Wherever you land, GO Airport Shuttle can help you get right into the festivities, including the awesome Mardi Gras celebrations highlighted below. We’ve canvassed the country, and these are the top spots.
The party actually started in mid-January, but it’s going strong through mid-February. Claiming to be the second-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country, the main activities take place in the Soulard neighborhood. That’s French for “drunkard,” to give you a sense of the overall weeks-long event, which concludes with the Bud Light Grand Parade, stepping off at Busch Stadium then winding through the Soulard neighborhood and ending, where else, but the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Costumed pets are more than welcome. Here’s more info.
Not only is Universal Studios going all out for this Mardi Gras, they’re going way out —till April 4th—for their International Flavors of Carnaval. Parades, concerts (like Ivy Queen and Barenaked Ladies), food and drink (from Cajun to Brazilian to beignets), and beads, lots of beads. Not to mention the entire Universal theme park waiting for your amusement.
For a somewhat limited celebration, try Mardi Gras at the Wharf in the nation’s capital. Live music, parade, lots of food variety, and a super fireworks show after sunset. This is a concentrated celebration, starting at 3 p.m. for one day only. Don’t miss the Praline Bakery! Who knows, you might see a Senator or two, unless they’re busy in session working away.
Mardi Gras in Memphis begins February 6 and runs through February 21 this year. Festivities include parades, masquerade balls, Cajun food galore, and lots of local bakeries offering their version of “King Cake.” Shrimp etouffee’, jambalaya, and brisket. It’s Mardi Gras ala’ Memphis.
Sitting less than hour from Houston, but on the Gulf Coast, the Galveston Mardi Gras celebration runs for two weeks from early February through the 17th. They’ve been doing it for 115 years, so you can understand why they’re the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country. The largest in Texas! So, it has to be BIG. Over 3 million beads will be tossed around, they say. They also promise 20+ parades and 20+ music concerts over the two week period. Not to mention at 5k run for the energetic.
New Orleans — NOLA
Every other city is just a warm-up. Mardi Gras Day in NOLA is officially February 16 this year, 44 days before Easter. But New Orleans started celebrating January 6, and the party will go on into early March. New Orleans Mardi Gras was going on before 1857 when it became a bit more official with a god called Comus taking charge, followed by Rex 15 years later. Nowadays, the parades and music are usually all centered around Bourbon Street, but there are plenty of celebrations all around town and in just about every restaurant and bar in site. Jazz, blues, reggae, Zydeco, drum corps, pop, cabaret, or classic. If there’s a musical style you like, you’ll be able to find it, just about every night of the week, too. That’s NOLA style, especially during Mardi Gras!
Mardi Gras festivities in Atlanta are focused around two different weekends this year. There’s a daytime party on February 7th, centered in the Edgewood Entertainment District, featuring NOLA-themed food and music. Then on February 13th, the Midtown Block Party starts at 6 PM, with music, masks, face painting, and dancing. Beads will be everywhere at both parties. For more details, look here.
How about a NOLA-style Mardi Gras party with a Caribbean flavor? Carnaval Ponceno kicks off February 12 and runs for a week. This is the168th year for the festival, and while similar to a traditional Mardi Gras party, it’s different. Loud colorful parades, unusual costumes and characters dancing to bomba and plena music. Look out for King Momo, or you might get swatted with a colorful balloon. It’s all about keeping away the evil spirits.
Once the DR came out from under Haitian rule, the party started. Now, nearly every major city during the entire month of February has a Carnival party of some sort. A little different than traditional Mardi Gras costumes though, as the primary character in most every parade is the Devil. So the parades are a bit more colorful and louder, the dancing more exuberant, the involvement from the marchers and bystanders super high. Local residents may take weeks preparing their costumes. Elaborate and fun, it’s a perfect way to experience the Dominican Republic from Punta Cana and beyond.
Cancun is just one city in Mexico where you can get a Mardi Gras/Carnival experience. Cancun is also a seaport, so you’ll be joined by many cruise ship passengers who booked themselves on one of the many Mardi Gras cruises available now. It seems like every hotel and inn has their own celebration which would be accessible to everyone. Here’s one example to help you understand the scope of events. You’ll be warm, in the sun, so enjoy!
If all else fails, and you can’t get out of town soon enough, you could always throw your own Mardi Gras party at home. We’d suggest using GO Airport Shuttle for your guest transportation around town. Good idea for good party etiquette. To stock up on party goods, check here. And party hearty this February/March, wherever you are, home or away.