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 the celebrations are family-friendly, so 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
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 afterwards.
Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade
The 2024 Mardi Gras Parade Grand Marshal is Lucy Buffet!
Date - Tuesday, February 13th at 10 am
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 marks 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, February 10th
5:30 pm - The Marshals Parade
6 pm - Mystics of Pleasure Parade
Date - Tuesday February 13th
2 pm - City of Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade
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 February 12
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.
LuLu's Mardi Gras Boat Parade
Date - Tuesday February 13th, 4 pm
11 am - Live music by the Tip Tops
12 pm - Birthday cake being served
LuLu's will be celebrating not only Mardi Gras but the 25th Birthday for the restaurant. Prizes for Best Dressed, so come dressed in your Mardi Gras best – Gold, Green, and Purple!
OWA Mardi Gras Parades & Events
Puppy Gras Pet Parade & Kidz Masquerade Street Party
Date - Saturday February 3rd
1 - 4:30 pm - Puppy Gras Pet Parade
4 - 6:30 pm - Krewe du Kidz Masquerade Street Party
- Moon Pie Bingo inside the Bohemian where guests will be able to compete in Moon Pie Bingo for a chance to win a prize! While supplies last.
- Masks decorating & Gold Coin scavenger hunt take place on OWA Island.
- Outside of the Bohemian, a balloon artist will be making Mardi Gras themed balloons.
- Mardi Gras themed caricature drawings at OWA Island.
- Mardi Gras themed glitter tattoos and hair braiding on OWA Island.
- Mardi Gras themed stilt walkers and performers roam throughout Downtown OWA.
- Bubble Dance party where guests can dance the night away.
Mardi Gras Parade & Afterparty
Date - Sunday February 11th
1 pm - Free Kids' Activities
2 pm - The Parade starts
3:30 pm - After party with fun and live music on OWA Island from 5 Mile Brass beginning at 3:30pm and Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters beginning at 5pm.
Mardi Gras Murder Mystery Dinner Show
Dates - February 8 & 9th, 6:30 pm in the Brandon Styles Theater
Enjoy dinner and a Mardi Gras Show!
Additional Gulf Coast of Alabama Mardi Gras Parades and Events
Foley Mardi Gras Parade
Date -Saturday February 10th, 11 am, 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 - Sunday February 11th, 1 pm
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
Saturday, February 3, 2024 – 3:00 pm – Mystic Mutts of Revelry Pet Parade
Saturday, February 3, 2024 – 6:30 pm – Knights of Ecor Rouge
Friday, February 9, 2024 – 6:45 pm – Maids of Jubilee
Saturday, February 10, 2024 – 2:00 pm – Krewe of Mullet Mates (Parade is on Bon Secour Bay on Baldwin County Hwy 1)
Monday, February 12, 2024 – 6:45 pm – 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.
Alabama Gulf Coast Mardi Gras Parades by Date
The parade schedules will be updated if there are any changes.
Sunday, January 28
- 6:30 pm - Massacre Island Secret Society (Dauphin Island)
Friday, February 2
- 6:45 pm - Apollo's Mystic Ladies (Daphne)
Saturday, February 3
- 6:30 pm - Knights of Ecor Rouge (Fairhope)
Friday, February 9
- 6:45 pm - Maids of Jubilee (Fairhope)
Saturday, February 10
- 11 am - Foley Parade (Foley)
- 2 pm - Krewe of Mullet Mates (Mullet Point)
- 6 pm - Mystics of Pleasure (Orange Beach)
- 6:45 pm - The Shadow Barons (Daphne)
Sunday, February 11 (Joe Cain Day)
- 1 pm - Fort Morgan Parading Society (Fort Morgan)
- 2:29 pm - Loyal Order of the Fire Truck (Daphne)
Monday, February 12 (Lundi Gras)
- 6:45 pm - Order of Mystic Magnolias (Fairhope)
Tuesday, February 13 (Fat Tuesday)
10 am - Gulf Shores Parade (Gulf Shores)
2 pm - Orange Beach Parade (Orange Beach)
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.
Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Alabama and so many more!
Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!
Check out our Facebook and Instagram and Tik Tok pages for more great ideas for the Gulf Coast.
Leave a Reply