Why go all the way to New Orleans when we’ve got what you need for a proper Mardi Gras celebration right here — minus the swampy humidity and overcrowded streets?
You can still collect beads (even if they're being tossed from the back of an F-150 instead of a French Quarter float) and drink one too many hurricanes (which, let’s be honest, will probably be swapped out for a frozen margarita because this is Texas, after all). Laissez les bons temps rouler, y’all!
Here’s Local Profile’s curated list of where to celebrate Mardi Gras:
Big Band Mardi Gras
When: Feb. 22, 2025 | 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
Tickets
What To Expect: Get into the Mardi Gras spirit with the Texins Jazz Band and Unfaded Brass Band as they bring the sounds of New Orleans to life! The Texins Jazz Band, an 18-piece big band led by Bill Centera, blends classic Mardi Gras tunes with a bold, brassy sound. Founded in 1986 at Texas Instruments, this nonprofit group is made up of musicians with STEM backgrounds who share a love for jazz.
Unfaded Brass Band, founded by Jermaine Devezin, brings authentic New Orleans brass band culture to Dallas. Originally from Louisiana, many members relocated after Hurricane Katrina, keeping the vibrant traditions of their hometown alive.
Mardi Gras at Roy and Helen Hall Library (Family Friendly)
When: Feb. 22, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: 101 E Hunt St, McKinney
Tickets
What To Expect: Grab the whole family and head over to the Roy and Helen Hall Memorial Library for a free community celebration that’s more fun than a library overdue fine! Make a mask to hide your Mardi Gras secrets, dive into carnival games that might just make you question your ability to toss rings on bottles or let someone predict your future (we're hoping it involves snacks). Whether you're 5 or 105, there's something for everyone.
Mardi Gras Pardi (Family Friendly)
When: Feb. 27, 2025 | 2-6 p.m.
Where: 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony
Tickets
What To Expect: Get ready for the Mardi Gras Pardi at Grandscape. This event is packed with fun, including live performances by the N’Awlins Gumbo Kings, Cajun food from Lava Cantina and Walk-Ons, and a crawfish boil by Cajun Crawfish Co. (ticket required). There will also be a kid’s mask decorating contest, a crawfish eating contest, an airbrush tattoo artist, a fortune teller and plenty of Instagram-worthy photo ops to capture all the action. And, if you’re lucky, you might even win an authentic king cake straight from New Orleans.
7th Annual Mardi Gras at Legacy Hall
When: March 1, 2025 | 12-10 p.m.
Where: 7800 Windrose Ave., Plano
Tickets
What To Expect: Step into the magic of New Orleans with a Mardi Gras celebration like no other! Enjoy a day filled with fortune tellers, stilt walkers, dazzling showgirls, face painters and live music that keeps the party going from start to finish.
Craving crawfish? Upgrade your experience by adding a crawfish platter at checkout. You'll get three pounds of fresh crawfish served with sausage, potatoes, corn and bread. This feast can be added to any general admission ticket, table or bay reservation — just swing by Dock Local’s stall on the big day to pick up your platter and dig in.
Krewe of Barkus Dog Parade (Family Friendly)
When: March 2, 2025 | 12:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown McKinney
Register
What To Expect: Why should humans have all the fun? Downtown McKinney is going intergalactic for this year’s Krewe of Barkus Mardi Gras dog parade. The “Out of This World” theme invites pups and owners to dress as astronauts, aliens, or sci-fi icons for a cosmic celebration. The fun kicks off at 12:30 p.m. at Mitchell Park, with over 20 pet-friendly vendors, followed by the 2 p.m. parade featuring 300+ decked-out dogs. Compete for awards like Best in Show and Best Dog-Owner Combo, enjoy live music from Unfaded Brass Band, and check out adoptable pets.
The costume contest and float entry are $5 per dog or float, with registration open online until March 1 or in person at the event. Walking in the parade is free — just bring your furry cosmonauts and let the good times roll!
Mardi Gras Festival at The Revel
When: March 4, 2025 | 12-10 p.m.
Where: 9305 Preston Road, Frisco
Tickets
What To Expect: With live music, delicious food, and a festive atmosphere, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight to the Big Easy — no plane ticket required. And if you’re a crawfish lover, come hungry because they’re serving up all-you-can-eat mudbugs, seasoned to perfection.
Big Shucks Celebration
When: March 4, 2025 | 5:30-9 p.m.
Where: 103 S. Coit Rd, Richardson
Tickets
What To Expect: Arrive early and get rewarded — because nothing says Mardi Gras like free beads and a head start on the party. The Members Only Band will crank up the nostalgia with an electrifying '80s cover set, so get ready to belt out your favorite hits and show off those questionable dance moves. And let’s talk about the real star of the show — the food and drinks. Feast on $9.99 per pound crawfish specials, sip on $8 hurricane cocktails (because one is never enough) and snag $5 shrimp cocktails while enjoying happy hour prices all day long. Plus, there will be giveaways, because who doesn’t love free stuff?
Rock & Brews Fat Tuesday Crawfish Boil
When: March 4, 2025 | 5-9 p.m.
Where: 5351 Nebraska Furniture Mart Dr, The Colony
Tickets
What To Expect: Grab your bibs and your best Mardi Gras spirit — it's time for a Fat Tuesday crawfish boil. Bring your friends, your appetite and maybe some stretchy pants, because this feast is not for the faint of heart. Your ticket gets you access to the party area, mountains of crawfish, festive swag, a live DJ spinning jams and purple rain drops for dessert.
This list will be updated as more events are announced.
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