Biloxi Mardi Gras parades: dates, routes and parking

Last checked Oct. 16, 2026. This page is updated each year. The 2027 parade schedule has not been announced yet; the times and routes below are the 2026 ones published by the City of Biloxi, so you know what to expect. The city usually posts the parade routes and traffic plan in January.

Mardi Gras is the biggest street party of Biloxi’s winter. Three parades roll through downtown in the last days of Carnival: the Second Liners Mardi Gras Club at midday Saturday, the nighttime Krewe of Neptune parade that same evening, and the Gulf Coast Carnival Association parade on Fat Tuesday afternoon. Thousands of people line the routes, according to the city’s Mardi Gras safety notice.

Fat Tuesday 2027 is Feb. 9. Expect the parade dates to follow the same pattern; this page will be updated when the city confirms them.

Who to call

• City of Biloxi (parades, traffic plan): 228-435-6300
• Traffic advisories by text: text BILOXI to 77295 (the number the city gave in September 2026)
• Official route maps: 2026 parade routes (PDF)

The 2026 parade schedule

Times and routes are from the city’s parade preview and its route maps (PDF). The Neptune and Gulf Coast Carnival Association parades follow the same route. All of the parades are free to watch from the street.

The Fat Tuesday parade

The Gulf Coast Carnival Association parade is the big one. The city describes it as “often including 100 or more floats, marching bands, police units, fire trucks, and more.” It begins with dance performances on Lameuse Street in front of Biloxi City Hall and the toasting of the king and queen with Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich. The 2026 theme was “Pop,” for Pop Art.

The city’s route map marks a reviewing stand on Lameuse Street by City Hall, where the parade opens.

The Krewe of Neptune night parade

Dozens of decorated and illuminated floats, with marching bands, wind through downtown on the Saturday night before Fat Tuesday. The 2026 theme was “Neptune Conquers Love.”

Children’s walking parade

The City of Biloxi, the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum and the Gulf Coast Carnival Association host a walking parade downtown for children 12 and younger, who walk, bike, skate or ride in strollers and wagons. No motorized vehicles are allowed, and a costume and float contest follows. In 2026 the registration form (PDF) was online and at the Biloxi Visitors Center, with late registration before the start.

Road closures and parking

From the city’s 2026 Mardi Gras traffic plan (PDF):

• Saturday, 9 a.m.: Howard Avenue at Bellman Street closed for Second Liners staging; the rest of that route closed at 11:30 a.m. Cones went up on eastbound Beach Boulevard from Porter Avenue to Caillavet Street.
• Saturday, 4:30 p.m.: the Neptune route closed. Eastbound Beach Boulevard dropped to one lane between Porter Avenue and Caillavet Street at 6:30 p.m. for float return, and southbound I-110 was diverted to Division Street from 6:30 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m.
• Fat Tuesday, noon: the Gulf Coast Carnival Association route closed. Southbound I-110 was diverted to Division Street from 2 p.m., and eastbound Beach Boulevard dropped to one lane between Porter Avenue and Lee Street at 2:30 p.m.

Parking rules the police repeat every year:

• No street parking on the parade routes; park only in legal, marked spaces.
• Do not park near the railroad tracks. Trains have had to stop and cars have been towed.
• No parking in the Biloxi City Cemetery, north or south of the tracks.
• Service drives on U.S. 90 close at 10 p.m. unless posted otherwise.

What to know before you go

• No glass. Bring plastic containers only.
• Leave pets at home. No animals are allowed in any event area unless they are in the parade.
• Restrooms and first aid: portable restrooms and medical help are set up along the route; use those instead of the restrooms in businesses.
• Lost children: go to the nearest police officer. Police suggest taking a photo of your child when you arrive so you can show what they were wearing.
• Golf carts are allowed only on designated roads unless registered in a parade.
• Accessible seating: in 2026 the city did not offer its designated special-needs seating area on Mardi Gras day because of staff changes, and said it was working on procedures to bring it back.
• No underage drinking. It is unlawful for anyone under 21 to drink alcohol.

Between parades, the Mardi Gras Museum is at 792 Howard Ave.; see our downtown Biloxi guide. For the rest of the season, see our Valentine’s Day and things to do this month guides.

Frequently asked questions

When is Mardi Gras in Biloxi in 2027?

Fat Tuesday is Feb. 9, 2027. The 2027 parade schedule has not been announced; in 2026 the Gulf Coast Carnival Association parade rolled at 1 p.m. on Fat Tuesday and the Second Liners and Krewe of Neptune parades ran the Saturday before.

What is the Biloxi Mardi Gras parade route?

In 2026 the Krewe of Neptune and Gulf Coast Carnival Association parades both ran along Main Street, Lameuse Street, MLK Jr. Boulevard, Howard Avenue and Porter Avenue. The Second Liners used Howard Avenue and MLK Jr. Boulevard.

When do roads close for the Biloxi Mardi Gras parade?

In 2026 the Gulf Coast Carnival Association route closed at noon on Fat Tuesday and southbound I-110 was diverted to Division Street from 2 p.m. The Neptune route closed at 4:30 p.m. on the Saturday.

Can I bring my dog or a cooler to the Biloxi Mardi Gras parade?

The city asks people to leave animals at home and bans glass containers; use plastic. No animals are allowed in any event area.