Galveston will soon host what it calls the third-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.
The island’s 107th Mardi Gras celebration, to be held Feb. 2-13, is expected to draw more than 350,000 attendees for 30-plus concerts, 24 parades, 20 balcony parties and several balls.
Nearly all parades go through downtown. Main concert stages are also located downtown, where the event’s headline performances will take place. The festival’s largest parades also run along the beachfront on Seawall Boulevard.
Also revelers can dine at Food Truck Park on 22nd Street in the downtown Entertainment District.
Mardi Gras will also feature masked balls where black-tie attire, lavish buffets, live performers, dancing and parade viewing invoke the evening festivities. Popular events include the San Luis Salute hosted by Tilman and Paige Fertitta and The Tremont House’s Texas A&M Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Party.
Sunday, Feb. 11, will be Family Gras, featuring live family entertainment, two kids' parades, a kids' coloring contest and more.
Family activities will include the Krewe of Barkus & Meoux pet parade and Mardi Gras Children’s Parade in the downtown entertainment district.
Electric Mardi Gras will return with a special concert area at 21st and Mechanic streets in downtown Galveston. This area will provide electronic dance music, with continuous concerts, beat-thumping DJs and laser light shows on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the celebration.