Mardi Gras, known for vibrant parades and rich traditions, has deep roots in New Orleans and the Northern Gulf Coast. Over time, the festive spirit of Carnival season has spread across the Gulf Coast, inspiring a variety of celebrations with unique twists reflecting the culture of each community. From Texas to Florida, you’ll find a range of unique annual traditions, giving both boaters and spectators a chance to partake in the revelry on the water. Our Team members in Houston, New Orleans, Mandeville, Pensacola, and St. Petersburg have gotten together to outline some of our favorite parades.
Sorted West to East
Texas: Yachty Gras in Kemah
Each year, the city of Kemah hosts “Yachty Gras,” America’s largest Mardi Gras boat parade. This event features elaborately decorated boats parading through the Clear Lake channel, tossing beads and trinkets to enthusiastic spectators along the Kemah Boardwalk.
- Event Date: Typically held 1 or 2 weekends before Mardi Gras.
- Registration: Boaters can register their vessels through the official Yachty Gras website.
- Best Viewing Spots: The Kemah Boardwalk offers prime viewing areas, with numerous restaurants and shops enhancing the festive atmosphere.
Yachty Gras Route
Louisiana: Mardi Gras Lighted Boat Parade in Lake Charles
While New Orleans is famed for its street parades, Lake Charles offers a unique twist with its Lighted Boat Parade. Boats adorned with dazzling lights cruise along the lakefront, creating a mesmerizing display reflecting off the water. Boats start at the Bord du Lac Marina and navigate north along the seawall next to the Lake Charles Event Center, making 3 or 4 passes depending on the weather and number of boats. Expect at least a dozen boats, and as many as 3 dozen.
- Event Date: Coincides with the Mardi Gras season, often the weekend before Fat Tuesday.
- Registration: Participants can sign up through the Lake Charles Mardi Gras website.
- Best Viewing Spots: The Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall provides an excellent vantage point for spectators.
Louisiana: Krewe of Tchefuncte in Madisonville
The Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain is no stranger to Mardi Gras celebration. There are nearly a dozen Krewes between Madisonville and Slidell. Organized in 1973, the Krewe of Tchefuncte celebrates the carnival season with a boat parade cruising down the Tchefuncte River.
- Event Date: The Krewe of Tchefuncte “rolls” the Sunday before Mardi Gras Day.
- Registration: The Krewe is open to all boaters to join for a parade entry fee. Click here for more information.
- Best Viewing Spots: Riverside Park, Morton’s Seafood & Bar, or Tchefuncte’s Restaurant.
Krewe of Tchefuncte Route
Florida: Pirates of Lost Treasure Flotilla Boat Parade in Pensacola
In the Pensacola area, the Pirates of Lost Treasure, a community-based Mardi Gras organization, hosts an annual Flotilla Boat Parade along the Intracoastal Waterway. This festive event features a fleet of decorated boats, lively music, and vibrant costumes, creating a spectacular experience on the water.
- Event Date: The flotilla is typically scheduled 3 weekends before Mardi Gras.
- Registration: Boaters interested in participating can find registration details on the Pirates of Lost Treasure’s official website.
- Best Viewing Spots: Spectators can enjoy the parade from various points along the route, including Holiday Harbor Marina, Sunset Grille, Oyster Bar, Big Lagoon State Park, Galvez Landing, and the Ole River Bar at the Flora-Bama.
(Bonus) Florida: Tampa’s Gasparilla Pirate Fest
Tampa’s Gasparilla Pirate Fest is a storied tradition dating back to 1904, celebrating the legend of the pirate José Gaspar. The festival features a mock pirate invasion, where a flotilla led by the pirate ship “José Gasparilla” sails into Tampa Bay, demanding the city’s surrender. This is followed by a vibrant parade along Bayshore Boulevard.
- Event Date: The invasion and parade typically occur in late January.
- Registration: While the main invasion is conducted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, private boaters often join the flotilla. Details and registration can be found on the official Gasparilla website.
- Best Viewing Spots: Spectators gather along Bayshore Boulevard for the parade and around the Tampa Convention Center for the best views of the boat invasion.
These Gulf Coast boat parades offer a unique and festive way to experience Mardi Gras on the water. Whether you’re a boater looking to participate or a spectator eager to enjoy the sights, each event provides a distinctive celebration reflective of its community’s rich cultural heritage.
Are we missing your local Mardi Gras Boat Parade? Let us know via the form below and we’ll be happy to add it!