How To Celebrate Mardi Gras in Dallas

Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday," also called Shrove Tuesday. It is the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Christian Lent season leading up to Easter. During Lent, many Christians fast, and the name Fat Tuesday refers to the last day of eating richer foods before the leaner days of Lent begin. In America, celebrations for Mardi Gras are most famous in New Orleans, where it is the conclusion of weeks of parades that begin in January. You don't have to live in Louisianna to enjoy this festive holiday. Dallas has its own celebrations and below are some of the options to indulge and imbibe. As they say in NoLa, "Laissez les bons temps rouler" - which is Cajun French for "Let the good times roll!" ⚜️



SATURDAY, JANUARY 18

2019 Royal Court, Marvin & Raquel
Sutton. Photo Tony Boyattia

Krewe of Orleans is celebrating the "Year of Royalty" 2020 Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center. The anticipated Krewe of Orleans Annual Mardi Gras Ball is the largest Mardi Gras Ball in Texas. Krewe of Orleans aka K.O.O., Royal Court, Mardi Gras Indian, Secondliners and a brass band are some of the sights and sounds that make this ball captivating.

 Krewe of Orleans has successfully transported the authentic Mardi Gras experience to DFW. Purchase tickets online or at The Daiquiri Shoppe, Grand Prairie location. 650 S Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202 If you've missed a Dallas Mardi Gras Ball in the past, you definitely don't want to miss, "The Year of Royalty"! VIP tickets are sold out. GA tickets are $58.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22

Celebrating its 19th year, Mardi Gras Texas Style! is a one-of-a-kind music festival that takes place in the historic State Fairgrounds in Dallas, Texas. All of the food, fun, and flavor of the best Mardi Gras celebration combined with 20 of the hottest Texas County Music acts on 5 stages make this party the only place to be. Or, for the ultimate Texas Mardi Gras experience, purchase one of the limited number of VIP tickets for cocktail service and exclusive acoustic sets played by your favorite artists. Full Lineup: Josh Abbott Band, Aaron Watson, Flatland Cavalry, Shane Smith & The Saints, Roger Creager, Josh Ward, Josh Weathers, Kody West, Kolby Cooper, Chris Colston, Grady Spencer & The Work, Giovannie & the Hired Guns, Jacob Bryant, Tim Montana, Frank Ray, Triston Marez, Nick Hirsch, Dylan Wheeler, Colby Keeling, Colton Rice. Tickets start at $35.


THURSDAY, JANUARY 23

The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau is returning to Plano, Texas to host their annual Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras Pop-Up Party on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at event1013, located at 1013 E. 15th Street in Historic Downtown Plano Arts District.

This free party will include live music by Shreveport’s underground band, Muzikology, authentic Louisiana cuisine prepared by Chef Damien “Chapeaux” Chapman of Orlandeaux’s Café, cash bar and door prizes, as well as king cake samples from Lilah’s Bakery, Lowder Baking Company, and Tubbs Hardware & Rental.



SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Since 2014, the Unfaded Brass Band have been taking their unique sound all over. Steeped in the deep musical culture of New Orleans, the band brings a heavy dose of R&B funk and soul to the New Orleans brass band sound and the culture of the Mardi gras Indians.

Experience a musical journey through the streets of New Orleans, the history of Jazz, and the Mardi gras Indians at a concert held at South Dallas Cultural Center from 7:00-9:00 PM. Tickets are $5. 3400 South Fitzhugh Avenue,  Dallas, TX 75210.




SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15

The Theta Alpha Foundation, in conjunction with Theta Alpha Chapter, presents its 16th Annual Mardi Gras Gala at the Crowne Plaza Dallas-Market Center. Auction Showing at 6:30 pm. Food served 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm only. Dance and Festivities 8:00 pm - Midnight. The proceeds of this event will go towards the growth of students in South Dallas, and young men and boys that participate in the Omega SPARKS program. 7050 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75247 For more information, you may contact Royle King at 214-236-5756, or Arthur Williams at 214-729-0159.


SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Dash for the Beads is an annual 10k and 5k runs along with a 1-mile walk that coincides with Mardi Gras so come out and Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Each year they award opportunities to win prizes for the best-dressed walker, runner, pet (that’s right, pet) and an envious trophy for the winner of the chip-timed 10K and 5K events! Come join an event that has become a neighborhood tradition, benefiting neighborhood schools.

The 19th Annual Mardi Gras Texas Style! music festival returns to the Automobile Building inside of historic Fair Park on Saturday, February 22. Produced by B-Weiss Entertainment Group, the all-day, rain or shine event will feature twenty of Texas country’s hottest emerging and established acts on five different stages. Confirmed artists include Josh Abbott Band, Aaron Watson, Flatland Cavalry, Shane Smith & The Saints and more.

Festivalgoers will also have the opportunity to enjoy Mardi Gras style eats, beer, and beads. Doors open at 2:00 PM central. Tickets for Mardi Gras Texas Style! are on sale now and will be available for purchase at the door. General admission tickets prices start at $38.75. For the ultimate Texas Mardi Gras experience, fans can purchase one of the exclusive VIP packages (starting at $74.50). Amenities include admission to the festival, cocktail service, private acoustic sets, on-site concierge, and more. There are only a limited number of VIP tickets available. VIP ticket holders must be 21 or older.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23

The 2020 Mardi Gras Oak Cliff parade will take place Sunday, February 23, beginning at 4:00 p.m. CST. The parade route runs along Davis St. into the heart of Bishop Arts. Public transportation shared rides, or your bike all reign supreme but parking is available on any side streets that aren't permit-only (most of them are okay, except certain streets closer to Bishop Arts). 

Parking is available in the following areas: Kidd Springs Recreation Center, 711 W Canty Street Lot near Tribal All Day Cafe (corner of Bishop Ave. and 9th St.) Methodist Dallas Medical Center (paid parking garage), near corner of Beckley and Colorado.


TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25

14th Annual Texas Sized Fat Tuesday at The Gas Monkey Live.  Throughout the evening, you'll dance to not one, not two but three live DJ's, Mardi Gras party favors, and a Cajun cuisine menu available all night. Add ons include two VIP areas, and table and bottle service. 10110 Technology Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75220.

Head to House of Blues as they create Pardi Gras, a Texas-sized Bourbon Street with Cajun food, entertainment and plenty of beads for your Krewe. Foundation Room & House of Blues will have live music with dance party vibes, and VIP tables are available so you can overlook the festivities and let the good times roll! Keep the party going with an all-out dance party with sounds brought to you by hottest DJs. Tickets are $5. Doors open at 4:00 PM. House of Blues is located at 2200 North Lamar Street Dallas, TX 75202.

Blends Daiquiri Lounge is bringing a taste of Louisiana to Texas. Enjoy crawfish, catfish, and shrimp po'boy specials as well as specialty daiquiris sure to make you turn up! It wouldn't be Mardi Gras without beads so make sure to fill your neck up with tons of multi-colored beads to celebrate the occasion! Get ready to laugh, drink, eat, and turn up Louisianan style for this Pardi Gras: Mardi Gras Party. Time: 4PM - 11PM Attire: Mardi Gras masks, beads, feathers, etc are encouraged! Located at 2810 East Trinity Mills Road,  #Ste 145,  Carrollton, TX 75006