How to Celebrate Mardi Gras in Galveston, Texas

New Orleans may be the most famous place to go for Mardi Gras, but that doesn't mean there aren't incredible alternatives. Galveston, Texas, for example, has one of the biggest Mardi Gras events outside of Louisiana, and also one of the most family friendly. For roughly 10 days prior to Ash Wednesday, the island of Galveston is turned upside down with revelers and party-goers from around the world.

Instructions

Celebrate Mardi Gras in Galveston

1. Visit the Galveston Pier during Mardi Gras. The Pier is open 24 hours a day and is an inexpensive way to spend an evening with family and friends.

2. Pick up a map of the Galveston Mardi Gras festivities from your hotel or from the Mardi Gras! Galveston website (see Resources below). These maps show parade routes as well as the locations of specific Mardi Gras attractions such as novelty booths or live entertainment like concerts.

3. Be on the scene for any one of over 24 different parades on Galveston. Each of the 12 days of festivities features parades by the different "krewes" in the city. The final parade on Mardi Gras itself is the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Annual "Fat Tuesday" Parade.

4. Arrive at parade routes early, as they can easily become congested the closer you get to the start of a parade. It's usually a good idea to head to a route about two hours before the parade.

5. Be sure to attend one of Galveston's many Mardi Gras Balls. Patrons of the Mardi Gras Balls get to dress up in costumes and dance the night away.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase tickets to Mardi Gras in Galveston well in advance. The cost increases as you get closer to the opening of festivities, although half-price tickets are commonly offered to those buying more than one ticket at a time.

• Make it a point to see the Quaker City String Band Philadelphia Mummers. They are widely considered one of the best live entertainment acts on the island during Mardi Gras.

• Galveston is a safe place to celebrate Mardi Gras, but you should still exercise caution in crowds or in areas where the party is particularly rowdy. Staying with a group is one of the best way to keep safe.

Resources

• Information about festivities at Mardi Gras! Galveston