As the Gulf Coast gears up for the 2025 Mardi Gras season, the communities of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Foley are finalizing preparations for parades and festivities spanning multiple days. Featuring colorful floats, marching bands, and family-friendly events, the region's celebrations have started and culminate on Fat Tuesday, March 4, drawing locals and visitors alike into the streets to enjoy this annual cultural tradition.

46th Annual Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade:

The City of Gulf Shores will host its 46th Annual Mardi Gras Parade on Fat Tuesday, March 4, at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at the intersection of Highway 59 and East Beach Boulevard (Highway 182) and will travel along East Beach Boulevard to the Gulf State Park Pier Road. A parade route map can be found online at www.gulfshoresal.gov/MardiGras.

If you’d like to participate in the parade, please note that all applications are due by Friday, February 7, 2025, at 5 p.m. Once your completed application packet has been approved, your organization representative, driver(s), and alternate driver(s) are required to attend the parade participation meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

The traffic flow modifications related to the Mardi Gras Parade are below:

6 a.m.

• West Gulf Place beach access and parking lot will be closed. Parking will only be available for parade participants and float setup.
• West Beach Blvd (Hwy 182 west) will be closed between Hwy 59 and West 3rd street for the staging of the parade.

9:45 a.m.

• Access to West Beach Boulevard and East Beach Boulevard (Hwy 182) via Hwy 59 will be closed.
• Access to East Beach Boulevard via East 1st, East 2nd and East 4th street will be closed.
• Traffic headed westbound on East Beach Boulevard near the Gulf State Park Pier will be diverted to State Park Road (Highway 135) for access to Highway 59.

11:30 a.m.

• All normal traffic conditions should resume.

If severe weather moves in and the parade is canceled, there will be no make-up date. For more information, contact our Special Events team at 251-968-1171 or visit www.gulfshoresal.gov/MardiGras. 

REALTED ARTICLE:  Mardi Gras Moon Pies Have Been A Tradition For Over 60 Years


Annual Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parades:

Orange Beach is preparing for its 2025 Mardi Gras celebrations, featuring parades on Saturday, Monday and Fat Tuesday. The Annual Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade that has been going on for more than 30 years.

On Saturday, March 1, the festivities begin with two evening parades. The Marshals parade starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Mystics of Pleasure at 6 p.m. Both parades will proceed along Perdido Beach Boulevard, starting near Wolf Bay Lodge and concluding at the intersection of Orange Beach Blvd. (Hwy. 161) and Perdido Beach Boulevard. 

On Monday, March 3, The Wharf's annual "Moon Pies on Main" event takes place. Activities commence with a Kids and Pet Parade at 4 p.m., followed by various family-friendly events. An evening float parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. Additional details are available at www.alwharf.com. 

The main event, the Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade, is set for Fat Tuesday, March 4, at 2 p.m. This parade typically features over 50 units, including local high school bands, cheerleaders, and various community groups. The parade follows the same route along Perdido Beach Boulevard as the Saturday parades. 

During parade times, Highway 182 (Perdido Beach Boulevard) within Orange Beach city limits will be closed to vehicular traffic. On Saturday, closures may occur from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and on Tuesday, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Orange Beach Police Department aims to keep roads open as long as possible before each parade begins. For more information, contact City Hall at 251-981-6979. 

If you’d like to participate, you can click here to download the 2025 parade application.

Foley Mardi Gras Parades:

The Foley Mardi Gras Parade takes place on Saturday, March 1st at 11am. This is a family-friendly parade open to businesses, groups and families or individuals that wish to participate. Call 251-923-6918 to reserve your spot in the lineup now. Click here for more information.