The Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade rolls downtown at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027. The season opens Jan. 2 with the free Kick Off Celebration.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Dates and details come from Pensacola Mardi Gras, the nonprofit that runs the season, and its event calendar. This page is updated for each Mardi Gras season at the same address.
The 2027 Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade rolls through downtown Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027, the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. It usually starts at 2 p.m. and runs for several hours, according to Pensacola Mardi Gras, which says the parade draws more than 6,000 participants and more than 100,000 spectators, making it the largest event held in downtown Pensacola all year. The season opens a month earlier, on Saturday, Jan. 2, and ends on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 9.
Know before you go (2027 season)
- Grand Parade: Saturday, Feb. 6, about 2 p.m., downtown Pensacola. Free.
- Season opens: Kick Off Celebration, Saturday, Jan. 2, downtown. Free.
- Rain: the parade rolls rain or shine; there is no rain date
- Pets: not allowed on the route (service animals are)
- Official site: pensacolamardigras.com
- Road closures: City of Pensacola, 311 or 850-436-5555
2027 dates at a glance
From the Pensacola Mardi Gras event calendar:
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sat., Jan. 2 | Kick Off Celebration, from 5 p.m. | Downtown, Palafox Street and Seville Quarter |
| Tuesdays, Jan. 5 to Feb. 2 | Second Line Tuesdays (5:30 p.m. on the January dates) | Downtown Pensacola |
| Thu., Feb. 4 | Mardi Gras Mambo, 6 p.m. | Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. |
| Fri., Feb. 5 | Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated Parade, 7:30 p.m. | Downtown Pensacola |
| Sat., Feb. 6 | Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade, 2 p.m. | Downtown Pensacola |
| Sun., Feb. 7 | Krewe of Wrecks Mardi Gras Parade, 2 p.m. | Pensacola Beach |
| Tue., Feb. 9 | French Quarter Fat Tuesday Celebration, from 11 a.m. | Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. |
Dozens of krewe balls fill the weeks in between; most are private or ticketed by each krewe.
The Grand Parade
The parade showcases themed floats, marching bands, local organizations, krewes and their royalty, and scout troops, the organizers say. Riders throw beads, cups, plush toys and other souvenirs. Krewes are told not to throw anything until their float reaches the traffic light at Garden and Spring streets, because the lineup south of that corner has no barricades.
Family viewing. A designated children’s viewing area has room for strollers, seating and kid-friendly activities, with a strict no-alcohol, no-tobacco rule. Its exact location goes on a map released before parade day.
The route. The 2026 route was temporarily changed to work around the Palafox Street improvement project, with modified turns and viewing areas, according to the parade FAQ. Route maps are posted on the event maps page; check it for the 2027 route before you go.
Road closures and parking
Road closure maps and times are released closer to the parade by Pensacola Mardi Gras with the City of Pensacola and the Pensacola Police Department, the FAQ says. Parking is available throughout downtown, but not on streets closed for the route or the float staging area. Maps of public, paid and accessible parking, drop-off points and ADA viewing areas are released before the parade.
The organizers’ advice: arrive early for a good spot, bring a bag or two for throws, wear purple, green and gold, and plan parking ahead. Golf carts are not allowed around the lineup, and parade riders cannot be dropped off in the staging area on Spring Street.
The rest of the season
Kick Off Celebration, Jan. 2. Downtown streets near Seville Quarter close so krewes can park their floats along Palafox and Jefferson streets for public viewing. A brass-led second line moves through the floats, each krewe is blessed, and the night ends with the cutting of the official King Cake, served free while it lasts. Floats start arriving around 4 p.m. It is free, family-friendly and goes ahead rain or shine.
Mardi Gras Mambo, Feb. 4. A party with live headliners on the arena floor of the Pensacola Bay Center, open to everyone, with table, reserved, VIP and general admission seating. Ticket prices had not been announced when we checked; tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster. Venue parking costs extra.
Krewe of Wrecks parade, Feb. 7. The Pensacola Beach parade runs along Via de Luna to the Gulfside Pavilion, with a free post-parade party and float awards at the pavilion, according to the event listing. The listing warns the parking lot fills up fast.
Fat Tuesday, Feb. 9. Krewes take over every room of Seville Quarter for a French Quarter celebration that starts with an 11 a.m. jazz royalty brunch. The new King and Queen Priscus are crowned around 7 p.m., and the season ends at midnight. This one is 21 and up.
A little history
Pensacola’s carnival dates to 1874 and the first Knights of Priscus, according to the organizers, citing historian John Appleyard. Parades came and went over the next century. Pensacola Mardi Gras Inc. was formed in 2001 to turn a single day back into a full season.
More: things to do this month, Palafox Street and downtown and Valentine’s Day in Pensacola.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Pensacola Mardi Gras parade in 2027?
The Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade is Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027, the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. It usually starts at 2 p.m. downtown and runs for several hours.
Is Pensacola Mardi Gras free?
The Grand Parade, the Kick Off Celebration on Jan. 2 and the Krewe of Wrecks parade at Pensacola Beach are free. The Mardi Gras Mambo at the Pensacola Bay Center is ticketed through Ticketmaster.
What if it rains on Mardi Gras parade day in Pensacola?
The parade rolls rain or shine and has no rain date, Pensacola Mardi Gras says. If weather creates a safety risk, an announcement goes out on its official channels.
Can I bring my dog to the Pensacola Mardi Gras parade?
No. Pets are not allowed along the parade route. Service animals are allowed.
Is there a family area at the Pensacola Mardi Gras parade?
Yes. The parade has a children’s viewing area with no alcohol and no tobacco, with space for strollers. Its exact location is posted on a map before the parade.
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