Your guide to planning your Mardi Gras! Galveston parade experiences.
With over 20 parades taking place over the course of two weeks during Mardi Gras! Galveston, it can be tough deciding which to attend. See below for a full schedule of parades taking place in Galveston from February 10 to 21, 2023.
pictured: Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade
See below for parades taking place during the second weekend and Fat Tuesday during Mardi Gras! Galveston (February 17-19 & 21, 2023). Full parade routes and more can be found here.
7:00PM - Danny Weber Memorial Fire Truck Parade
A much-loved tradition, The Danny Weber Memorial Parade features more than 25 Fire Trucks from South East Houston, League City, Hitchcock, La Marque, Jamaica Beach and Galveston. The impressive chorus of sirens and horns that fill the Entertainment District continues to captivate Mardi Gras! Galveston attendees, making this parade a crowd favorite.
8:00PM - Krewe Babalu “All Krewe” Parade
Krewe Babalu is the “every man’s Mardi Gras krewe” founded in 1995 by Guy Taylor with the purpose of promoting Mardi Gras festivities on Galveston Island and promoting civic and social activities within the organization and the city of Galveston.
Parade Route: The parade will begin at 25th Street and Santa Fe Place and head south on 25th Street. The parade will turn at 25th and Mechanic, and loop twice around Strand/Mechanic.
9:30PM - Krewe of 93Q Parade
Revelers will enjoy this festive night parade, as it circles the Entertainment District wrapping up the second Friday of celebrations for Mardi Gras! Galveston, 2023. Crowd favorites, Booker T Washington & The Worthington High School Marching Band are both back for 2023. Get ready for some high stepping Drum Majors, Rolling Party Floats and tons of excitement.
11:00AM - Krewe d’Esprit Rosaire Parade
Krewe d’Esprit Rosaire is the only Black Catholic Krewe located on the island. Their annual Mardi Gras Pageant was started by Rev. Father Louis Saparito and the tradition continues today with Holy Family Parish. The Parade features many high stepping Marching Bands from Houston and surrounding area along with Drill Teams, ROTC groups, the Krewe Royalty, Committee Members, Church Organizations and many of the church members.
1:00PM - Z Krewe Z Processional
This parade features bands, military units and zany revelers from multiple clubs, and is led by Big Daddy and Big Momma, followed by King and Queen Zanie and their royal Zoots and Zaftigs. Hundreds of “Zannies” throw beads to the crowds and continue to do so after the parade from their private balcony on Strand Street. Z Krewe takes bead-throwing to the next level with their awesome assortment of unique and fun necklaces!
Parade Route: The parade will begin at 25th Street and Santa Fe Place and head south on 25th Street. The parade will turn at 25th and Mechanic, and loop twice around Strand/Mechanic.
2:30PM - Mix 96.5 Parade
The Mix 96.5 Parade hosts an array of on-air radio ticket winners from around the Houston area. Riders dance to today’s top hits as they cruise through the Entertainment District tossing beads to parade spectators.
4:00PM - Ben E Keith Parade
Revelers will enjoy this festive parade, as it circles the Entertainment District during the second Saturday of celebrations for Mardi Gras! Galveston, 2023.
6:00PM - Jumpin’ Jays Bumpin’ Bus Parade – So Fly It’ll Make You Wanna Die
This is a true party parade that will get you moving and grooving. More than 20 decked-out party buses roll through The Entertainment District bumping music and throwing beads. The iconic Dancing Queen, Dancing King & Lemonade Bus have become a staple for all Galveston Parade Celebrations.
6:30PM - Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade
Crowds grow large as Galveston’s oldest Krewe parades down 25th Street and around the Entertainment District. The Grand Night Parade features a magnificent fleet of colorful floats, marching bands from all over the state, dignitaries, and more!
Parade Route: Beginning on Seawall, the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade will head west towards travel 25th street, travel north down 25th and enter the Entertainment District at 25th and Mechanic and travel down the Strand.
12:00PM - Shriners Hospital for Children & Sunshine Kids Parade
100’s of Sunshine Kids and Shiners children, along with their families, enjoy lunch & throw beads off the C-Force Water by Chuck Norris balcony on Strand Street. They will also kick off their parade at 12:00pm throwing beads, candy & more!
1:30PM - Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Parade
Stemming from a desire for locals and their pets to have a way to be involved in the Mardi Gras! Galveston festivities, The Humane Society created the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Parade 22 years ago, and this crowd-pleasing event has been going strong ever since! Leading the parade each year is the “Elite Pet Owner”- a title awarded at the annual, Paws Gala, which is held each September. This year, the winner was Concetta Maceo. The Krewe also continued the relatively new, Cat’s Eye View Balcony Party in 2020, which grows bigger and better each year.
3:00PM - Firefighters Children’s Parade
Local firefighters and first responders host a parade dedicated to the families and children of Galveston with decorated floats and costumed kids. In 2005 the Galveston Firefighters stepped forward to “Save the Children’s Parade” by assuming the role of parade coordinator. The Firefighters felt that since the parades are the main attraction to Mardi Gras, and because the Children’s Parade was the only Mardi Gras activity geared toward children, it was important to keep the tradition alive.
Parade Route: The parade will begin at 25th Street and Santa Fe Place and head south on 25th Street. The parade will turn at 25th and Postoffice, proceed east down Postoffice Street, turn north on 19th Street, turn west on Strand Street, and conclude at 25th and Strand.
6:30PM - Mystic Krewe of Aquarius
The Mystic Krewe of Aquarius annual “Fat Tuesday “ Mardi Gras Parade will be Feb. 21, 2023 at 6:30 pm beginning at 28th and Market street downtown and making its way through Postoffice street and Strand historic district. The all Krewe parade will feature marching bands, dance teams, and participating Krewes in the final hours of Mardi Gras Galveston 2023.
Parade Route: The parades begin 28th and Market Street, east to 25th Street (Rosenberg), turns right to Postoffice Street, turns left and proceeds to 19th street, turns left to Strand, turns left and proceeds to 25th street and ends.
Where the Texas Coast begins.