Where to Celebrate Mardi Gras in Texas
Of course Texas is home to one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in America. (The third largest, in fact.) And leave it to Galveston, the island city on the state’s Gulf Coast famous for its Victorian architecture, balconies, and streets reminiscent of New Orleans, to be the host.
Mardi Gras-ing in Galveston has been around since 1867, when it was simply an annual masquerade ball and performance of Shakespeare’s “King Henry IV.” It was only four years before the humble tradition escalated into something that resembles today’s Mardi Gras excess: nocturnal parades of dancing and lighted carriages, masked galas, outlandish costumes, and abundant feasting.
The lavish celebration carried on throughout the next century, but in the 1940s, public festivity began to fizzle out more and more each year. And so it went until 1985, when oil magnate and philanthropist George P. Mitchell and his wife, Cynthia, restored the cherished tradition to their hometown. Some 75,000 attendees flocked to Galveston’s famous Strand that year to see dazzling floats and several famous American jazz musicians on parade for a weeklong Carnival.
That one event 40 years ago has since evolved into what’s now called “Mardi Gras! Galveston.” Each year, some 250,000 merrymakers descend upon the island to behold its spectacular show, which includes more than 20 parades, giant balcony parties, live music, art shows, family-friendly events, and an exhilarating cultural mashup that rivals even New Orleans.
Mardi Gras! Galveston has become such a popular destination that it’s now a ticketed event.
Family Gras!
Galveston has made sure that the event retains its authenticity while remaining accessible to Texans and visitors of all ages. In fact, the town dedicates the entire second Sunday of its Mardi Gras season to families with young children. Multiple parades are held on the “Family Gras!” day, featuring everything from clowns spilling in and out of cars, vintage fire trucks, and the ever-popular “Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Parade” wherein is dozens of dogs proudly promenade down the Strand (occasionally accompanied by less-eager pets, including cats, rodents, and iguanas).
Even More to Celebrate
Beyond the typical Mardi Gras staples, Galveston amps up the party by adding a few elements throughout the week. Here are a few of our favorites that set the island’s Carnival above the rest:
Fiesta Gras!: The Hispanic culture that’s so ingrained in Texas is proudly on display at Mardi Gras! Galveston. Catch all the Mexican floats, novelty food, and mariachi bands throughout the week.
Jolly Jester Jaunt 5K: Every Mardi Gras season in Galveston kicks off with a 5K around the town’s entertainment district. Don your most sequined jester hat and join hundreds of runners along the stunning and historic Strand.
Beads for Needs: Every year, over 3 million strands of plastic beads are bought and thrown around Galveston. But when the party leaves town, a group of students has found a way to clean up the litter, repurpose the plastic, and hone their entrepreneurial skills at an early age.
Gras Grub in Galveston
The Texas Gulf Coast knows Cajun food, especially during Mardi Gras. Don’t miss out on what’s been voted the best gumbo in Galveston at Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar, which is inspired by the best grub of Louisiana and perfected by incredible Galveston-caught Gulf shrimp. And you certainly can’t celebrate Mardi Gras without king cake, which can be found in nearly every bakery in town during the festivities, but some say the best can be found at Maceo’s.
As Carnival winds down, set your seasonal sights ahead to Christmas, when the same streets of Galveston will transform yet again into the world-famous Dickens on The Strand.
