Mardi Gras in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama is filled with great parades, King Cake, and so much good food.
Mardi Gras Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
When it comes to Mardi Gras, the Gulf Coast of Alabama knows how to celebrate! One thing we love is that the celebrations are family-friendly, so people of all ages can enjoy Carnival Season.
Mardi Gras began in Mobile, Alabama, back in 1703. Yes, you read that right. Mobile is home to the original Mardi Gras.
While New Orleans' Mardi Gras gets a lot of attention, it is worth knowing that the event started in Mobile.
Below you will find 2024 Mardi Gras Parade routes for Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope, Foley, and Fort Morgan. Along with information on what to bring with you, where to buy King Cake, and so much more.
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler - Let the Good Times Roll
What to bring to Mardi Gras Parades
Wondering what to bring with you to a Mardi Gras Parade? Don't worry, we have you covered. The most important things to bring include:
Chair - We bring our camping chairs so we can hold a spot and be comfortable waiting for the parades to start.
Bag - You will want a bag to hold your Mardi Gras throws! One of the best parts of the parades outside of seeing the floats is catching throws.
Mardi Gras throws include Moon Pies, beads, stuffed animals, plastic cups, candy, and so much more.
Sunscreen - Depending on the weather, you will want sunscreen and sunglasses. We didn't apply any during our first Mardi Gras day parade and looked a bit lobster-ish afterward.
Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade
The 2024 Mardi Gras Parade Grand Marshal was Lucy Buffet!
Date - Tuesday, March 1, 2025
Gulf Shores Parade Route
Starts at the intersection of Highway 59 and East Beach Boulevard (The Hangout/ Gulf Place Beach) and will travel along East Beach Boulevard to the Gulf State Park Pier Road.
Gulf Shores 1st Mardi Gras Parade was in 1978. Since then, it has grown into an amazing event for locals and visitors.
2024 marked the 45th Annual Mardi Gras Parade in Gulf Shores!
Things to know
6 am - West Gulf Place beach access and parking lot will be closed. Parking will only be available for parade participants and float setup.
8 am - West Beach Boulevard (Highway 182 West) will be closed between Highway 59 and West 3rd Street for the staging of the parade.
9:45 am - Additional road closures take effect, including:
- Access to West Beach Boulevard and East Beach Boulevard via Highway 59 will be closed.
- Access to East Beach Boulevard via East 1st, East 2nd, and East 4th Street will be closed.
- Traffic headed westbound on East Beach Boulevard near the Gulf State Park Pier will be diverted to State Park Road (Highway 135) for access to Highway 59.
10 am - The Parade Starts! Bring on the fun
Parking for the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade
The following public parking locations will be open. We suggest arriving early so you can get a parking space and spot along the side of the road.
- West 2nd Street
- West 1st Street
- West 1st Avenue from Highway 59 to West 1st Street
- East 1st Street
- East 1st Avenue from Highway 59 to East 2nd Street
- North side of East 2nd Avenue City-Owned right of way parking
- City-Owned public parking lot to the West of Gulf Island Grill
Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade
Date - Saturday, March 1, 2025
5:30 pm - The Marshals Parade
6 pm - Mystics of Pleasure Parade
Date - March 4, 2025
2 pm - City of Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade
2026 Parade Date - February 17, 2026
Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade Route
All parade routes on Perdido Beach Blvd start at the traffic signal just east of Phoenix West Condominiums and travel east ending at the intersection at Highway 161 and Perdido Beach Boulevard, just past the Publix shopping center.
At the median, the parades will move to the eastbound lanes (southside of the beach highway.)
Parking for the Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade
There are multiple parking areas along the parade route. Make sure you are not blocking any entrances or in no parking zones.
Things to know
During the Mardi Gras parades, the City of Orange Beach closes Highway 182 (Perdido Beach Boulevard) within the city limits of Orange Beach.
On Saturday ,the road will be closed from as early as 4:00 PM until as late as 7:30 PM.
On Tuesday, the road will be closed from from as early as 1:00 PM until as late as 4:00 PM.
The Wharf Mardi Gras Parade - MoonPies on Main
Date - Monday, March 3, 2025
4 pm - Kids & Pet Parade
6 pm - Float Parade
7 pm - SPECTRA Laser Light Experience
Parade routes
Kids & Pet Parade Route - 2 blocks of Main Street
Float Parade - All of Main Street to the Traffic Circle and back again.
2026 Wharf Mardi Gras Parade Date - Monday, February 14, 2026
LuLu's Mardi Gras Boat Parade
Date - TBD
OWA Mardi Gras Parades & Events
Krewe du Kidz Masquerade
Date - February 22, 2025
Puppy Gras Pet Parade & Kidz Masquerade Street Party
Date - March 1, 2025
Mardi Gras Parade & Afterparty
Date - March 2, 2025
Additional Gulf Coast of Alabama Mardi Gras Parades and Events
Foley Mardi Gras Parade
Date -March 1 2025, Krewe de Kaoz
Parade Route - Starts on Roosevelt Street going east, then north on Alston, west on 98 and south on Oak to W. Roosevelt Avenue, ends at Foley Kid’s Park
Fort Morgan Mardi Gras Parade
Date - March 2, 2025
Parade Route - Begins at Triple Tail Lane and Ponce de Leon Court, heads west down Ponce de Leon Court, and ends at Bernard Court East.
Fairhope Mardi Gras Parades
TBD – Mystic Mutts of Revelry Pet Parade
February 22, 2025 – Knights of Ecor Rouge
February 28, 2025 – Maids of Jubilee
TBD – Krewe of Mullet Mates (Parade is on Bon Secour Bay on Baldwin County Hwy 1)
March 3, 2025 – Order of Mystic Magnolias
Parking for Fairhope Mardi Gras Parades
Public parking is available at no cost on the streets of downtown Fairhope on a first come first serve basis.
Dauphin Island Mardi Gras Parades
February 1, 2025 - Krewe De La Dauphine Mardi Gras Parade
February 8, 2025 - Dauphin Island People's Parade
February 15, 2025 - Order of the Rolling River
February 16, 2025 - Massacre Island Secret Society
Daphne Mardi Gras Parades
February 21, 2025 - Apollo's Mystic Ladies
March 1, 2025 - The Shadow Barons
March 2, 2025 - Loyal order of the Fire Truck Mardi Gras Parade
Alabama Gulf Coast Mardi Gras Parades by Date
The parade schedules will be updated if there are any changes.
Where to Buy King Cake in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
BuzzCatz Bakery & Sweets (Orange Beach) - You can order different sizes and flavors of King Cake from Buzz Catz including cream cheese, cinnamon sugar, strawberry, raspberry, Bavarian Cream, Pecan Praline, and Nutella. They come in 6 inch, 10 inch, or 15 inch king cakes. They also stock their grab and go case with King Cakes.
High Tide Daiquiri & Mimosas (Gulf Shores) - Has King Cake Daiquiris with and without alcohol, Moon Pie Macchiato (hot or iced), Mardi Mimosa, and Zydeco Martini.
Rouses Grocery Store - Multiple king cake flavors include traditional and filled (Strawberry Filled, Praline Filled, Apple Filled, Bavarian Filled, Lemon Filled, Cream Cheese Filled, Strawberry Cream Cheese Filled, Apple Cream Cheese Filled.) Rouses also sells Blue Bell King Cake Ice Cream.
Deep South Cake Company (Orange Beach) - They have Gambino's King Cakes from New Orleans.
Bagel Boy (Foley) - They have a King Cake Bagel along with a Mardi Gras Coffee.
The Flying Harpoon (Orange Beach) - They sell Boudin King Cake with house made Boudin and smoked Gouda cheese baked inside of a fresh pastry then smothered in Harpoon pepper jelly and topped with crispy bacon!
Sweet Home Coffee (Robertsdale) - King Cake Coffee Drink
SmallCakes (Foley) - King Cake Cheesecake, Gambino's King Cake from New Orleans, King Cake Ice Cream, King Cake Cupcakes
Panini Pete's (Fairhope) - Mardi Gras beignets, Mardi Gras burger, Muffaletta, T-shirts and Cafe au Lait.
Flora-Bama Yacht Club (Orange Beach/Perdido Key) - They have a great King Cake Cocktail.
CoastAL (Orange Beach) - They have a Mardi Gras menu that includes beignets, drinks, and more.
GypsyQueen Java (Foley) - Mardi Gras Queen Cake (brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon latte)
Where to Buy Mardi Gras Outfits and Gifts
Emporium at C - This Orange Beach gift shop has great outfits, jewelry. and more.
Walmart - Walmart has a huge selection of Mardi Gras throws, costumes, and so much more.
Amazon - You can find a huge selection of outfits, beads, hats, and really anything you can think of.
Additional Gulf Coast of Alabama Travel Guides
Kid friendly things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - Check out all of the best family friendly activities.
Things to do in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach when it Rains - Don't let a little rain ruin your trip to the Gulf Coast! These activities are perfect for rainy days.
Free things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - Check out the local playground, public beach access points, and so much more.
Things to do in Foley, AL - Don't miss all of the fun to be had in nearby Foley including the amazing Homes Medical Museum and the Railroad Museum.
Things to do in Fairhope, AL - The top things to do in Fairhope, Alabama, include attractions, dining, sunset, wildlife, nature preserves, and so much more!
Things to do on Dauphin Island, AL - The best things to do while visiting this coastal Alabama island.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Lodging
If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations. We have stayed at each of these lodging options:
The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan): This resort offers beachfront condos with amazing amenities and a great spa. Don't miss dinner at Coast Restaurant.
Use Code - GULFJOURNEY for a discount when booking with Spectrum Resort.
Turquoise Place Luxury Vacation Rentals (Orange Beach): This is our favorite resort in the area! It offers luxury amenities, epic beachfront views, and unbelievable condos.
Use Code - GULFJOURNEY for a discount when booking with Spectrum Resort.
Springhill Suites Orange Beach: Located next to The Wharf, it is an excellent location near shopping and dining. We enjoyed their gorgeous pool.
The Lodge at Gulf State Park: Located on the beach in Gulf State Park, this Hilton Hotel offers epic beach views, a sustainable hotel experience, and great restaurants.
The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tours
These are some of our favorite tours available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
Dolphin Tours - Book a dolphin cruise here
Check out our experiences on Hammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, Southern Rose Dolphin cruise, Cruise OB (Orange Beach), Sail Wild Hearts, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.
Pontoon Boat Rentals - Enjoy cruising the waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a Pontoon. Check out the pontoon boats with slides for extra fun. Book your Boat Rental Here
Parasailing - Check out the epic views as you parasail in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for wildlife and you float high above the water. Book your Parasaiing Trip Here
Jet Ski Rentals - Jet Ski Tours and rentals are a great way to explore the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Jet Ski Rental Here
Click here to see all of the top rated tours and activities available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!
We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, and more.
Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!
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