Galveston, Texas – Let’s Mardi Gras

If you’re looking for a unique Mardi Gras experience in 2014, grab some beads and hit the beach.
Take it to the Beach
Mardi Gras! Galveston, the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, offers the unique chance to experience sand between your toes and gorgeous beach sunsets while taking in the revelry and lavish parades known to dominate Galveston Island during carnival season.
Party Time
The island’s 103rd Mardi Gras celebration, to be held February 21 through March 4, 2014, is expected to draw more than 300,000 attendees for 38 concerts, 24 parades, 20 balcony parties and five elegant masked balls.
And, this island-style Mardi Gras has plenty of personality. Find your Mardi Gras style with these highlights:
• Classic Revelry – Galveston’s historic downtown entertainment district will put you in the center of classic Mardi Gras revelry complete with big crowds and plenty of beads. Nearly all parades go through downtown, where you can enjoy the view from the street or from high above at a balcony party.
Main concert stages are also located downtown, where the likes of Hot Chelle Rae, Neon Trees, Tonic and Lee Brice have headlined in recent years. 2014 headline entertainers will be announced in the coming weeks.
•Upscale Mardi Gras – If you’re looking to catch any of the colorful beads to be thrown from parade floats and downtown balconies, you don’t have to stand in the streets to do it. Mardi Gras! Galveston’s elegant side will feature five masked balls where black-tie attire, lavish buffets, live performers, dancing and parade viewing invoke the evening festivities.
Popular events include the Tremont House’s annual Mardi Gras Ball & Parade Viewing Party and the San Luis Salute hosted by Tilman and Paige Fertitta.
• Family Gras – Sunday, February 23 is Family Gras at Mardi Gras! Galveston, featuring live family entertainment, two kids parades, a kids coloring contest and the Jr. Jester Jaunt 1K run/walk. Donations will be taken at the gate to benefit The Sunshine Kids and Shriners Hospitals for Children. The family friendly activities will continue Sunday, March 2 with the Krewe of Barkus & Meoux pet parade and Mardi Gras Children’s Parade on the Seawall.
• Electric Mardi Gras – Electric Mardi Gras will return in 2014 with an expanded area and new location at 21st and Mechanic streets in downtown Galveston. This area will provide one big party for lovers of electronic dance music, with continuous concerts, beat-thumping DJs and laser light shows on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the celebration!
For more information on Mardi Gras! Galveston visit www.mardigrasgalveston.com.