2026 Mobile Area Mardi Gras Events:
Thursday, Jan. 8
7 p.m.: Saraland Mardi Gras tree lighting, Saraland Town Center Park, on the east side of U.S. 43, just north of Second Avenue. The third-annual lighting with the Krewe of Sparta will be held immediately following the City Council meeting, which ends at 7 p.m. Free.
Saturday, Jan. 10
5:30-8:30 p.m.: Mobile Mardi Gras tree lighting, Mardi Gras Park, 104-148 S. Royal St. Mobile’s Magnolia Breeze Youth Ensemble will kick off the festivities at 5:45 p.m., followed by the seventh-annual tree lighting at 6:20 p.m. After that ceremony, there will be a brass band showcase featuring Mobile’s Second Line Society Brass Band (6:30 p.m.), Pensacola’s 9th Avenue Brass Band (7:10 p.m.) and Jackson, Mississippi’s Southern Komfort Brass Band (7:45 p.m.). Food trucks and other vendors will be on-site as well. Free.
Sunday, Jan. 18
4 p.m.: MAMGA’s The Regal Magazine Release Party, The Calirojaé, 1044 Dauphin Island Parkway. Entrance includes a magazine. Attire: Dressy. Tickets: At the door or by emailing [email protected].
Friday, Jan. 23
5-7 p.m.: King Cake-Off, Mobile Convention Center, 1 S. Water St. Local bakeries, eateries and grocery stores compete to see who has the tastiest King Cake or King Cake-inspired treat. This eighth-annual family-friendly event features live music, local vendors, kids’ activities, specialty cocktails and endless King Cake tastings. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Gulf Coast. Cost: $15 for adults in advance, $20 at the door; $5 for kids ages 3-10. (centralgulfbbbs.org/kco)
Sunday, Jan. 25
6 p.m.: Prichard Carnival Association Royal Coronation, The Calirojaé, 1004 Dauphin Island Parkway. Tickets: $20 per person at the door.
Saturday, Jan. 31
10 a.m.: **THIS PARADE HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER** The Mystic Krewe of Salty Paws dog parade, beginning at the Dauphin Island Water Tower, 914 Alabama Ave. Parade starts at the water tower, heads north on LeMoyne, east on Chaumont, south on Key, west on Bienville and back to the water tower. This year’s theme is “Pawsitive Creativity.” Participants are encouraged to line up by 9 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Animal Rescue Foundation. Cost: $15 per person; children 13 and under walk for free with an adult.
Tuesday, Feb. 3
5 p.m.: Peg Leg Pub Crawl, The Garage, 9 S. Washington Ave. Meet up for this 19th-annual underground event at The Garage between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., then snake your way through the bars of downtown Mobile. Free.
Friday, Feb. 6
8 p.m.: Prichard Carnival Association Junior Monarchs Gala, The Calirojaé, 1004 Dauphin Island Parkway. Attire: Dressy. Free.
Saturday, Feb. 7
11 a.m.: MAMGA Junior Monarchs Luncheon, Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel, 26 N. Royal St. Tickets: Email [email protected].
3 p.m.: The Mystic Mutts of Revelry’s 24th-annual dog parade, beginning at Fairhope’s Community Park (corner of S. Church Street and Morphy Avenue in Fairhope). This year’s theme is “Paws of Oz – A Wicked Good Time.” Participants will be in their best Oz-inspired costumes, from Emerald City glam to “wicked” but lovable mutts. Proceeds benefit The Haven no-kill animal shelter. Cost: $20 per dog, $35 per adult walker, $10 per child walker (2 to 12 years old); an additional $10 to enter a dog in the “royal court,” giving it a chance to be named king or queen (deadline Jan. 31). (mysticmutts.org)
Sunday, Feb. 8
4 p.m.: MAMGA Junior Monarchs Coronation, Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel, 26 N. Royal St. Tickets: Email [email protected].
Friday, Feb. 13
10 a.m.: Arrival of the 2026 Mobile Mardi Gras ship, the USS Farragut (DDG-99), in the Port of Mobile. A welcoming ceremony will take place outside the Mobile Convention Center around 11 a.m. An Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided-missile destroyer named for Adm. David Farragut, the ship will be in port and open for free public tours. It will depart on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Friday, Feb. 13
9 p.m.: MAMGA Grand Marshal’s Ball, Mobile Convention Center, 1 S. Water St. Must be 21 to attend. Tickets: Email [email protected].
Saturday, Feb. 14
6:30 p.m.: MCA Coronation of the 122nd Queen of Carnival by King Felix III, Mobile Convention Center, South Hall, 1 S. Water St. Tickets: Free but required. Visit the MCA office, behind the Mobile Carnival Museum, 355 Government St.
8 p.m.: MCA King’s Dansante, Mobile Convention Center, North Hall, 1 S. Water St. Open to the public, ages 21 and older. Tickets: Visit the MCA office, behind the Mobile Carnival Museum, 355 Government St.
Sunday, Feb. 15
8 a.m.: Joe Cain Classic 5K, 1-Mile Run and MoonPie Dash. Now in its 35th year, this fun run starts and ends at the intersection of Canal and Broad streets; the after-party is on Augusta Street in front of the Joe Cain house. Organized by Bay Area Runners, proceeds benefit Challenged Athletes. Cost: $35 for adults in advance (Events.com), $40 day-of (on-site registration begins at 6:30 a.m.); $10 for kids under 10. (facebook.com/JoeCainClassicRun)
1 p.m.: Arrival of MAMGA’s King Elexis I, foot of Government Street. Mayor presents King Elexis with a key to the city.
7 p.m.: MAMGA Royal Coronation, Mobile Convention Center, 1 S. Water St. Attire: Dressy. Free and open to the public.
Monday, Feb. 16 (Lundi Gras)
10:30 a.m.: Arrival of MCA King Felix III from the Isle of Joy, Mobile Convention Center dock. Mayor presents King Felix with a key to the city.
11 a.m.: MAMGA Royal Feast Luncheon, Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel, 26 N. Royal St. Tickets: Email [email protected].
1 p.m.: MCA Queen’s Luncheon, Mobile Convention Center, Grand Ballroom, 1 S. Water St. Open to the public, ages 21 and older. Tickets: Visit the MCA office, behind the Mobile Carnival Museum, 355 Government St.
1:30 p.m.: MCA Juvenile Court Luncheon, Mobile Convention Center, Ballroom 201, 1 S. Water St. Open to the public, suggested ages 11-14. Tickets: Visit the MCA office, behind the Mobile Carnival Museum, 355 Government St.
Tuesday, Feb. 17 (Mardi Gras)
6:30 p.m.: Abba Shrine Mardi Gras bingo, 7701 Hitt Road in Mobile. Doors open at 5 p.m. (abbashriners.org)
