The best ways to celebrate Mobile Mardi Gras! The top things to do, food specials, and so much more.
Things to do during Mobile Mardi Gras
Did you know that Mobile is the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the United States? In 1703, Joe Cain was fed up with the post-war misery after the Civil War. He led an impromptu parade through Downtown Mobile.
Every since this moment the City of Mobile has been celebrating Mardi Gras with parades and events. The Carnival Season is the perfect time to visit Mobile, Alabama and experience the celebration of Mardi Gras.
One thing you will notice is in Mobile, the social organizations that host Mardi Gras Parades and Balls are called "mystic societies," whereas, in New Orleans, Louisiana, you will hear them called "Krewes."
Both terms refer to the social groups that host Mardi Gras Celebrations.
Mardi Gras is Fat Tuesday, whereas Carnival Season is the weeks and days leading up to Fat Tuesday. You will hear the terms Carnival and Mardi Gras used to describe the events and things happening in Mobile.
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Mobile Mardi Gras Parades
Over 40 Mardi Gras parades travel through Downtown Mobile each year. These parades are family friendly and so much fun!
Mobile Mardi Gras Parades run on one of eight different routes through the city. Make sure to check Visit Mobile's website for the current schedule and parade routes.
Each parade is unique and fun! There are parades all over South Alabama including in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Daphne, Fairhope, and Foley.
The Mardi Gras Parades are filled with colorful floats, riders throwing trinkets and moon pies, marching bands, dance teams, and more.
2026 Mardi Gras Parades:
Joe Cain Day
Celebrated on the Sunday before Fat Tuesday! Joe Cain Day celebrates Joseph Stillwell Cain, the man who got Mardi Gras going in Mobile in 1868.
Chief Slacabamorinico is the alter ego of Joe Cain. The fictional Chickasaw chief was created when Joe Cain started parading in Mobile after the Civil War.
Cain's Merry Widows
On Sunday morning, Cain's Merry Widows gather at Joe Cain's Grave at the Church Street Cemetery and wail over his loss. This mystic society dresses in black including veils protecting their identities.
They also participate in Joe Cain Day parade and events.
Joe Cain Day Parades
Alba Temple Motorcade, noon, Route I from the Abba Temple Shrine at Hitt Road and Schillinger Road to downtown Mobile
King Elexis I, 2 p.m., Route E, downtown Mobile, South Broad Street, Texas Street and Washington Avenue
Joe Cain Marchers, Joe Cain Society, 2:30 p.m., downtown Mobile
Le Krewe de Bienville, 5 p.m., downtown Mobile
MoonPie over Mobile
The MoonPie over Mobile drops before each Mardi Gras Parade. The giant Moon Pie disc drops the 34 stories of the RSA Trustmark Building to celebrate the start of the parades.
It also drops on New Year's Eve but that is another event for another post.
The giant Moon Pie over Mobile weighs 600 pounds and is 12 feet tall!
Mardi Gras Experience Pass
The Mobile Mardi Gras Experience Trail is a great mobile app that helps you explore Mobile and learn more about the history of Mardi Gras.
You can download the trail experience on Visit Mobile in a few seconds. Once you download the Mardi Gras Trail Experience you can check in at each location to earn points.
Collect enough points and you can request a Mardi Gras prize!
Mobile Carnival Museum
Learn more about the history of Carnival and Mardi Gras in Mobile at this great museum. The museum has 14 galleries that feature the regalia of Carnival Kings and Queens.
Address - 355 Government St. Mobile, AL
Mardi Gras Food
Mardi Gras and Carnival Season means King Cakes, Moon Pies, Bushwackers, and so much more!
Get ready for gold and purple sprinkles on everything!
Many restaurants, bakeries, and bars celebrate Carnival Season with specialty food and baked treats.
Where to buy King Cake in Mobile
Dropout Bakery Company - Every week they offer different flavors of king cake including a brown butter king cake.
Bake My Day Mobile - Delicious King Cakes available for walk-in pick ups on specific day sand also pre-orders
Ellen Jay Cookies - Their king cake is a cinnamon streusel cake with cinnamon buttercream icing. They also have Mardi Gras themed cookies that look amazing.
Guncles - They have Gluten Free King Cakes!
Pollman's Bakery - They won the award for Best King Cake at the 2024 King Cake off!
The Blind Butcher Shoppe - If you are looking for unique king cakes including a crawfish king cake!
Mardi Gras Themed Desserts and Food to try
Mardi Gras Themed Drinks - Serda's Coffee, Moka's Coffee, Yellowhammer Coffee
King Cake Ice Cream - Cammie's Old Dutch Ice Cream
Bienville Bites Food Tour
We had the opportunity to take the Order of Foodie Tour with Bienville Bites Food Tour and it was fantastic!
They offer Mardi Gras themed tours along with their classic Downtown Mobile Bienville Bites Food Tour.
Mardi Gras tours include the King Cake Crawl, Floats and Food Tour, and the Beads and Bites Trolley Tour.
The Order of Foodies tour was so great we are already planning on booking it in 2026. Being able to watch Mardi Gras parades from the balcony at The Battle House Hotel was a bucket list dream come true!
Mardi Gras Park
Mardi Gras Park in Downtown Mobile is located at the site of the Old Mobile County Courthouse.
The park celebrates and commemorates Mobile Mardi Gras with colorful statues. During Carnival Season you can see the Mardi Gras tree lit in purple and gold.
Address - 163 Government St. Mobile, AL
Mobile King Cake-Off
2026 will be the 8th annual King Cake Off in Mobile! Attendees get to vote on who has the best King Cake in the Mobile area.
Home of Joe Cain
Joe Cain's House is still standing and has a historic sign in front of it. One thing to know is people live in the house so please don't knock on the door or try to enter the property.
We suggest checking the house out and then going around the corner to Callaghans Social Club for a great burger.
Where to buy Mardi Gras Gear
Make sure to pick up a copy of the Mobile Mask magazine that is produced each year for the Carnival Season. It is filled with great information on the events and festivities, mystic societies, and more.
Toomey's
Address - 755-A McRae Ave, Mobile
Toomey's is filled with Mardi Gras souvenirs, clothes, MoonPies, and more. Don't miss the wall of beads including specialty beads. They have bins filled wtih fun throws, sequined shirts, hats and so much more.
Pop's Midtown Mardi Gras Store
Address - 2103 Airport Blvd, Mobile, AL
You can find Mardi Gras fun at Pop's Midtown year-round. They have a giant selection of beads in all different sizes, Mardi Gras throws, masks, clothes, and more.
When is Mardi Gras in Mobile?
The dates of Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras change each year depending on the date of Ash Wednesday, which depends on the date of Easter.
Here are the upcoming Fat Tuesday dates:
- 2026 - February 17
- 2027 - February 9
- 2028 - February 29
- 2029 - February 13
- 2030 - March 5
- 2031 - February 25
- 2032 - February 10
- 2033 - March 1
- 2034 - February 21
- 2035 - February 6
Mardi Gras in Mobile is the perfect time to explore the city! Enjoy great themed food, fun events, an excuse to dress up in glittery outfits, and celebrate with locals and visitors.
Mobile Hotels and Lodging
If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations.
The Battle House Hotel - The historic Battle House Hotel offer luxurious comfort in the heart of Downtown Mobile. Book your hotel stay here
Renaissance Mobile Riverview - Gorgeous hotel with views of the Mobile River and downtown. Book your stay here
Fort Conde Inn - Great luxury boutique hotel located close to the Mobile cruise terminal and Fort Conde historic area. Book your hotel stay here
The Admiral - Located in Downtown Mobile's historic district the Admiral is gorgeous! Filled with art, an epic steakhouse and, gorgeous rooms. Book your stay here.
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.
Mobile Tours
3 Day Mobile City Attraction Pass - Visit some of the top attractions in Mobile with this great attraction pass. Find out more here
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park - pre-purchase your entrance tickets to the USS Alabama here
Downtown Mobile Food Tour- Join an amazing food tour of Mobile's LoDa neighborhood with stops at some truly fantastic local restaurants. Book your tour here
Mobile Ghost Tour - An expert local guide will take you through the historic district of Mobile learning about the spine-chilling stories of spirits and the cities past. Book your tour here
Mobile Smartphone guided walking tour - Learn more about the historic of Mobile and the iconic attractions of downtown Mobile from this great walking tour app you can do at your own pace. Download the tour here
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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