GALVESTON, Texas – Thousands of people have packed balconies and streets in Galveston as the last weekend comes to an end on Sunday after nearly two weeks of Mardi Gras celebration.
Mardi Gras, which is French for "Fat Tuesday," is always observed on the Tuesday before the beginning of Lent, the religious observance of penance and self-denial. It’s seen as a time to indulge before the six weeks of Lent that lead up to Easter.
Mardi Gras Galveston starts with an awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Friday, followed by the first parade of the festival at 7 p.m.
The celebration ends with the Krewe of Aquarius Fat Tuesday Parade at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28.
Parades
Feb. 17
- 7 p.m. - George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Parade
- 8 p.m. - Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade Parade
- 9 p.m. - Galveston Pride Parade
Feb. 18
- Noon - Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Kick-Off Parade
- 1 p.m. - 6th annual Zaniest Golf Card Parade
- 3 p.m. - Krewe D'iHeartMedia Art Car Parade
- 6 p.m. - Krew of Gambrinus Parade
Feb. 19
- 1 p.m. - LULAC 151 Tejano Gras
- 4 p.m. - Fiesta Gras: Parade Tres
Feb. 24
- 7 p.m. - Danny Weber Memorial Fire Truck Parade
- 8 p.m. - Krewe Babalu 12th Annual All Krewe Parade
- 9:30 p.m. - Krewe of Maximilian Parade
Feb. 25
- 11 a.m. - Krewe d'Esprit Rosaire Parade
- 1 p.m. - Z Krewe 23rd Z Processional
- 2:30 p.m. - Mardi Gras King's Parade
- 3:30 p.m. - Les Bon Temps Roule Parade
- 6:30 p.m. - Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade
Feb. 26
- Noon - Shriners Hospitals for Children and Sunshine Kids Parade
- 1:30 p.m. - Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Parade
- 3 p.m. - Firefighters Children's Parade
Feb. 28
- 6:30 p.m. Mystic Krewe of Aquarius 21st annual Fat Tuesday Parade
For more information about the parades, click or tap here.
Balcony parties
Feb. 17
- 5 p.m. - Mardi Gras! Headquarters Balcony Party
- 8 p.m. - 2017 Krewe of Thalasar Annual Mardi Gras Ball
- 8 p.m. - Krewe of Thalasar Balcony Party & Ball
Feb. 18
- Noon - iHeart Media Up Close & Personal with Sugar Ray, Tropkillaz & Bright Lights
- Noon - Mardi Gras! Headquarters Balcony Party
- Noon - Z Krewe Balcony Party: Zestival 2
Feb. 19
- 11 a.m. - Mardi Gras Brunch at Hotel Galvez
- Noon - Fiesta Gras! Up Close & Personal with La Mafia
Feb. 24
- 5 p.m. - Krewe Babalu Balcony Party
- 5 p.m. - Mardi Gras! Headquarters Balcony Party
- 5 p.m. - Up Close & Personal with Stoney LaRue
- 6 p.m. - Z Krewe Balcony Party: Zestival 3
Feb. 25
- Noon - Krewe Babalu Balcony Party
- Noon - Mardi Gras King's Court Balcony Party
- Noon - Mardi Gras! Headquarters Balcony Party and Grand Night Parade Viewing
- Noon - Z Krewe Balcony Party: Zestival 4
- 3 p.m. - Island ETC Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Party
Feb. 26
- Noon - Firefighters Children’s Parade Balcony Party
- Noon - Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Mardi Gras Parade Balcony Party
Feb. 28
- 5 p.m. - Kiwanis Club of Galveston Fat Tuesday Balcon Party
For more information about any of these parties, click or tap here.
Other entertainment
In addition to the parades and parties, there are two stages featuring music from dozens of artists, including Sugar Ray, La Mafia, Brandon McDermott, Mozelle, DJQwest, Bright Lights and T-Gray.
For more information about the music lineup, click or tap here.
For more information about tickets and discount packages, visit mardigrasgalveston.com.