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The fanfare of Mardi Gras in Gulfport MS is unmatched! The Cajun and Creole influences of the region come alive on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, creating a festive and rich atmosphere with plenty to enjoy for all ages. The live music, cuisine, and spirit of community that you find while visiting Gulfport during Mardi Gras will have you falling in love with the city! Take a look at the biggest and best Mardi Gras events happening here.
Gulfport hosts several parades for Mardi Gras each year. The annual Gulfport Lizana Parade is a fun, community-focused event for all ages, featuring entertaining floats, ATVs, and horses. During the route from Lizana Elementary School through Cable Bridge Road and Moran Road, parade participants throw beads and treats to onlookers. The Krewe of Gemini Parade and Second Street Social Club Parade also run through Gulfport during Mardi Gras season.
The big thing to know about Mardi Gras parades on Mississippi's Gulf Coast is that they start early! The big kickoff date for parades each year is two weeks before the day that Fat Tuesday falls on. However, parades in the area are spread out over the calendar to ensure that you can catch one at some point during January or February. Here's a look at some other great Mardi Gras parades located near Gulfport:
What better place to learn about the history and spirit of Mardi Gras than the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum? Located in Biloxi, the museum offers guided tours of its gilded galleries, featuring costumes, historical objects, and more. During a tour, you'll learn all about the origins of the unique Mardi Gras celebrations that take place on Mississippi's coast, dating back to the 17th century.
One of the best ways to celebrate Mardi Gras in Gulfport MS is with a cake tasting! King Cake is a special brioche-like pastry with colorful purple, green, and gold sugars symbolizing the Three Kings. This is done in honor of the fact that the start of carnival season begins with the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6. The fun part about this cake is that it contains a hidden plastic baby. Legend says that the person who finds the baby first will have good luck in the coming year. Many bakeries in Coastal Mississippi specialize in king cakes. The list of places to sample some delicious, festive king cakes during your upcoming visit includes Quality Bakery (Gulfport), Fleur De Lis Gourmet Bakery (Gulfport), Paul's Pastry Shop (Picayune), and Fantasy Donuts (Biloxi).
From Epiphany to Fat Tuesday, Gulfport and the rest of Coastal Mississippi come alive with fun parades and festivals. The best part of all is that having an incredible time takes very little planning, as all the pedestrian areas around town in Gulfport always have something fun going on during Mardi Gras season. Whether you plan to attend a parade or check out some of the fun events in Fishbone Alley, you're sure to have a colorful holiday that you'll never forget.
