Jan 6-Mar 5
You don’t have to wait to celebrate! There are a ton of festivities leading up to Mardi Gras:
Bacchanalian Ball, Cajun Cook-Off, the Missouri Lottery 5K Run for Your Beads, the Taste of Soulard, Purina Pet Parade, Wiener Dog Derby, and the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball.
Photo courtesy of Mardi Gras Inc.
Sat, Mar 2
The “crown jewel” of the Mardi Gras season is the parade, of course! It kicks off at 11am, starting at Busch Stadium, continuing through Soulard and ending at AB Brewery. Stay for the Bud Light Block Party and throw down N’awlins-style. This year’s theme is "40 Years of Magic, Music, and Memories" with nearly 100 floats and 10 million strands of beads!
Sat, Mar 2
Party Gras starts at the Bud Light Party Tent. The nine hour long, all-inclusive experience includes unlimited Goose Island, Bud Light, and premium spirits, a lunch buffet by Joanie’s, a non-stop dance party, access to porta-potties, unlimited re-entry, and free beads, all in a climate-controlled tent.
Photo courtesy of Mardi Gras Inc.
Sat, Mar 2
After the parade, head over to this climate-controlled tent right on the parade route for Blues fun, games, gear, and beverages. If you want, you can get tickets to head inside the climate-controlled Blues Alumni Party Tent and rub elbows with Blues legends. The all-inclusive pass includes all the booze you can drink, NSFW story time with Blues legends, a lunch buffet from Joanie's To Go, an air bubble hockey tournament, and a front row view of the Bud Light Grand Parade.
Fri & Sat, Mar 1-2
Tues, Mar 5
Big Daddy's is the “Cruzan Rum Late Night Headquarters” of Mardi Gras this year, with specials on Hurricanes and Cruzan Rum. There’s a pre-party Friday night, then Saturday you can start early with breakfast and their “World Famous Bloody Mary Bar,” starting at 8am. Take their shuttle to the parade, then shuttle back and party ‘til midnight with live music under the covered, heated, smoker friendly patio. Then, on actual Fat Tuesday, Big Daddy’s is throwing one last party with beads, boas, and local DJs spinning all night long.
Photo courtesy of Big Daddy's on the Landing
Sat, Mar 2
Just one block from the parade is one of the biggest parties in Soulard. Big Daddy’s Soulard official Fireball Mardi Gras Party Package includes indoor bathrooms, all you can drink (beer, call drinks, and Hurricanes) and eat, and live music all day. The Kegs & Eggs Buffet and Bloody Mary Bar are from 8-11am on the second floor. The lunch buffet (also upstairs) is from 11am-1pm. Plus, there’s DJ music in the main bar and upstairs in the VIP Fireball bar all day and night. There’s also a covered and heated tent outdoors. Don’t want to pay a cover? Go after 5pm for free entry, just don’t expect any of the above perks, besides music and bathrooms. Party’s over at 10:30pm.
Photo courtesy of Big Daddy's Soulard
Sat, Mar 2
The Monster Tent is on the parade route under a large heated tent in DB's Sports Bar parking lot. This is where you go if you want to hear rock music all day. DJ Patrico from 105.7 The Point's Rizzuto Show is hosting the party, featuring Moon and The Teenage Dirt Bags (from Greek Fire and The Rizzuto Show). Admission includes an open bar (just keep track of your 32oz refillable cup), restrooms, and re-entry between 10:30am and 5pm.
Photo courtesy of DB's Sports Bar