Click here for a map of Uptown Entertainment District parade routes.
Parade schedule
1st Weekend, The new BIG Weekend!
Friday, February 10, 2012
5:00pm
Party Gras! Procession
Join us for a Dixieland jazz band walking procession. To kick-off a parade in their honor, Doug and Joan McLeod will be parading from M&M Restaurant to The Tremont House with friends, family, supporters and Mardi Gras revelers in true Mardi Gras! Galveston style with the Pizazz Dixie Jazz Brass Band leading the charge. This will be the ultimate crowd pleaser!
5:30pm
George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Ceremony
Presented to Doug and Joan McLeod
Presented by: The Tremont House and Hotel Galvez
A parade honoring the couple, The George P. Mitchell Parade Honoring Doug and Joan McLeod, will begin at 7:00pm from The Tremont House with the Budweiser Clydesdales, Ball High School band and festive floats and parade through the Historic Strand District on the kick off night of Mardi Gras! Galveston Friday, February 10, 2012.
7:00 pm
George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Parade
Honoring Doug and Joan McLeod. Presented by The Tremont House and Hotel Galvez.
A parade honoring the couple, The George P. Mitchell Parade Honoring Doug and Joan McLeod, will begin at 7:00pm from The Tremont House with the Budweiser Clydesdales, bands and festive floats and parade through the Historic Strand District on the kick off night of Mardi Gras! Galveston Friday, February 10, 2012.
8:30pm
Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade
We broke the record, now let’s BREAK IT AGAIN! The Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade will begin 20th street between Mechanic & Strand and march throughout the district stopping in front of The Tremont House for another rendition of the Hokey Pokey for the Guinness World Record . All participants with a decorated umbrella (MANDADORY) will receive FREE entry into the Entertainment District. Register your team here.
Last year’s record-setting dance!
10:00pm
Krewe da’ Yaga’s Parade
Only the most irie vibes will be heard from this krewe. Rounding out the first night of Mardi Gras! Gaveston 2012, Krewe da’ Yaga’s Café makes its return with a parade full of Yaga’s Café family of the past, present and future. This is one not to be missed. Board shorts and flip flops required!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
1:00pm
Zaniest Golf Cart Parade
Presented By:
Why stop with a world record-breaking umbrella parade when you can have the Zaniest (DECORATED) Golf Cart Parade? This parade is another great chance for friends and family to get together and participate in this interactive display of the ZANY spirit of Mardi Gras! Galveston. Free Entertainment District entry to all participants of the parade. Each advance ticket purchased to the Mardi Gras entertainment district for 2/10 or 2/11 receives one entry to win the Official Mardi Gras! Galveston Golf Cart which will lead the Zaniest Golf Cart Parade. Purchase deadline is Feb. 1, 2012. Winner will be announced Feb. 4, 2012. Best Decorated Golf Cart will win 4 balcony party tickets for after their parade! Enter Your Cart HereHURRY! REGISTRATION ENDS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd AT MIDNIGHT!
Come rock out with 103.7 FM , “Houston's Adult Alternative Radio Station", in its inaugural parade. Also joining the Mardi Gras celebration and festivities will be sister stations - 104.1 KRBE, "Houston's #1 Hit Music Station", and ESPN 97.5 FM, "Your Home for the Worldwide Leader in Sports". Bring friends and family for beads, music and fun and show your support for Houston's best "Radieaux Krewe”!
4:00pm
Mardi Gras Art Car Parade
Special thanks to Jay Carnes for facilitating the Art Cars of Houston Parades.
Without his support, these parades would not be possible. Parades Energized by Buzz Buddy Party Shot.
The streets of Galveston will be transformed into a whimsical pallet as the Art Cars return to Mardi Gras! Galveston . The parade will feature more than 30 fun, wacky, Art Cars cruising down Strand. This parade is sure to inspire the artist in us all!
Want to Enter Your Art Car? Contact Parade Coordinator Charlie Olsen at ceobugman@att.net.
8:00pm
Art Car Glo Parade
Special thanks to Jay Carnes for facilitating the Art Cars of Houston Parades.
Without his support, these parades would not be possible. Parades Energized by Buzz Buddy Party Shot.
Once the sun sets, the Art Cars turn the lights on with their Glo Parade. The Strand will be illuminated as the Glowarama rocks downtown in their inaugural parade.
Want to Enter Your Art Car? Contact Parade Coordinator Charlie Olsen at ceobugman@att.net.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
11:00 am
FAMILY GRAS!
Presented by: Moody National Bank
FREE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT ENTRY. On Sunday February 12, the Entertainment District will be free to the public for a FAMILY GRAS celebration presented by Moody National Bank. Donations will be taken at the gate to benefit the Sunshine Kids and Shriners Hospital for Children. We encourage you to bring the whole family down for the 2 parades, live music, vendors and more!
1:00pm
Sunshine Kids Parade
Bring out the entire family for a day full of Sunshine. The Sunshine Kids Parade will begin at 1:00pm with festive floats and the Ball High School band. The Sunshine Kids is an organization that provides activities for children with cancer.
3:00pm
Shriners Hospitals for Children-Galveston Parade
Family Gras continues at 3:00pm with the Shriners Hospitals for Children-Galveston Parade. Patients, families and friends of Shriners Hospital for Children will become a part of Mardi Gras! Galveston with this new parade led by the Budweiser Clydesdales along with the La Marque High School marching band, Shriners Clowns and Mini-Cars!
2nd Weekend
Friday, February 17, 2012
8:00 pm
Krewe Babalu 7th Annual “All Krewe Parade”
Begins at 26th and Santa Fe Place. Right on 25th Street, Left on Mechanic to 21st Street. Left on 21st Street to the Strand. Left on Strand to 25th Street. 25th Street to Santa Fe Place. Parade participation open to all Krewes, business, civic and fraternal entities. For more information contact Gladden Walters, 281-703-3331 or visit www.krewebabalu.com
7:00pm
Danny Weber Memorial Fire Truck Parade
Danny Weber, Sr. was a lifelong Galvestonian who spent over 30 years in the Galveston Fire Department as he worked his way through the ranks, eventually becoming Fire Chief. After he retired, still wishing to serve the community he loved, he ran for City Council, serving three terms as the District 5 Representative. Danny was a devoted family man and a good friend to all who knew him. This parade is dedicated to Danny because of his love for his community, fire department, and Mardi Gras. Register your Fire Truck Here.
10:00pm
Cruise Krewe Parade
Want the REAL Mardi Gras! Galveston experience? Follow these simples steps. 1) Gather your friends. 2) Choose your float 3) Fill out this application 4) Have the time of your life riding in a parade and tossing beads from your balcony party! This inaugural parade is a kick off to the official 'Cruise Krewe' in 2013...think Mardi Gras parade, balcony party, Carnival cruise to Mexico with a special Fat Tuesday party, Valentine's Day, Concerts and more!!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
1:00pm
Z Krewe 18th Z Processional
Z Krewe’s 18th Annual Z Processional will wind its way through the historic streets of downtown Galveston and The Strand area, “Perpetuating the Spirit of Mardi Gras” with bands, beads, and merriment. This year’s Zanie Processional will make its way to the Trumpet’s balcony where King and Queen Zanie XVII and their Royal Court of Zoots and Zaftigs will salute the crowd and party on the Strand. The processional’s route will begin at 25th Street and Mechanic, travel east along Mechanic to 20th Street, and then proceed to the Strand. Z Krewe’s parade of partygoers will continue west on the Strand ending at 25th Street. Info: www.zkrewe.net or call 409-692-8431.
3:00pm
Houston Chronicle 2012 Parade
Hot off the press!!! This Neauxs Krewe will be rolling down Strand at 3:00pm tossing more than newspapers. Houston Chronicle is the 6th largest newspaper in the United States and a PROUD sponsor of Mardi Gras! Galveston.
6:30pm
Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade
Mardi Gras! Galveston’s largest parade will feature floats, marching bands, dignitaries, bead throwing and more. Parade starts at 19th and Seawall Boulevard, turns right on 25th Street and continues to Mechanic Street. Right on Mechanic Street to 21st Street, left on 21stto The Strand. Left on Strand and end at the Railroad Museum.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
1:00pm
Parade to be Announced
Fat Tuesday, February 21, 2012
6:30pm
Mystic Krewe of Aquarius 17th Annual “Fat Tuesday” Parade
The Fat Tuesday Parade will roll for the 17th year. This lighted parade will feature Aquarius floats and the Krewes of Gambrinus, Thalasar, Bacchus, Babalu, Boudreaux, DuLac and ZKrewe. This is the final show before the curtain is drawn on Mardi Gras 2012. Don't miss the beads, floats, marching bands and merriment of the Aquarius "Fat Tuesday" Parade. Parade runs on Postoffice Street from 25th to 19th Street, left on 19th Street to Strand, left on Strand down to 25th Street.
Party Gras! Procession
