The Mardi Gras Trail

While the official launch of the Mardi Gras season each year is Twelfth Night, aka, the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, the real action kicks in the second to last weekend before Fat Tuesday itself. And this year, that weekend would be this weekend, Fri.-Sun., Jan. 25-27.

Should you wish to design your very own Mardi Gras trek (see how I worked that in?), here are some valuable links, categorized by city/areas (Galveston, Louisiana general, New Orleans, then back to Austin), to set you on your path.

GALVESTON
Tonight, Friday, Jan. 25, is gay Galveston's big night out (see Gay Place Blog for this and upcoming gay Mardi Gras info) as the Krewe of Banner kicks off the weekend at the historic venue, The Balinese Room. Many other krewes also will have balls and festivities across the island.

Galveston Mardi Gras Events
Galveston Parades
The Annual Philadelphia Mummers Appearance

Note to Galveston Mardi Gras vets: There was a move this year to make Mardi Gras free and not a cordoned-off/ticketed event. All events, parades, etc. are free unless otherwise noted.

LOUISIANA/ACADIANA
Parades by City (The layout here can confuse, but stick with it and scroll past those pesky Google ads. There is some great info herein.)
Eunice/Courir
Lafayette
Cajun Zydeco Mardi Gras Schedule
Rural Acadiana
Lake Charles
Mardi Gras Museum in SWLA
St. Landry Parish
St. Landry January Calendar
St. Landry February Calendar

NEW ORLEANS
Interactive Parade Route Schedule
Parade Schedule 1
Parade Schedule 2
Parade Schedule 3
St. Bernard Parish

Check the Gay Place Blog for info on New Orleans Gay Mardi Gras listings.

AUSTIN, TEXAS
Carnaval Brasilero
Austin's Krewe of Utopia

Have a blast, y'all. Let's compare beads and stories of how we got them when we get back.