Kick Off Celebration
The Kick Off Celebration is the official launch of the Pensacola Mardi Gras season. During the event, downtown streets near Seville Quarter close to traffic so Mardi Gras Krewes can park their floats for public viewing. A brass-led Second Line processional moves through the floats while each Krewe is announced and ceremonially blessed to begin the season. The evening concludes with the cutting of the official King Cake, marking the start of Mardi Gras festivities.
The event takes place in downtown Pensacola, centered around Palafox Street and Seville Quarter. Floats are typically displayed along Palafox and Jefferson Streets.
Yes. The Kickoff Celebration is free and open to the public, allowing the community to gather and celebrate the official start of the Mardi Gras season together.
The event includes:
- Krewe floats on display
- A Second Line procession through Downtown Pensacola
- A blessing ceremony led by clergy
- Appearances from Krewe Royalty
- Proclamations announced by the Town Crier
- The ceremonial cutting of the King Cake
Yes! At the conclusion of the event, free King Cake is served to the public, krewes, and participants—first come, first served.
Floats typically begin arriving at 4:00 PM, and the event runs through the evening. Final schedules and street closures are announced closer to the event date.
Kick Off is a rain-or-shine event. Adjustments may be made for safety in coordination with the City of Pensacola, law enforcement, and participating krewes. Any schedule or logistical updates will be communicated on official PMG channels.
No. While floats are encouraged, Krewes can still participate in the recognition and blessing portion of the program inside Seville Quarter. Please note that float space is limited, and participation may be capped based on event capacity.
Absolutely! The event is family-friendly and welcomes guests of all ages.
Yes. Nearby restaurants and bars in downtown Pensacola are open during the event, and many sell food and beverages throughout the evening.
Arriving early is recommended if you want a good viewing spot for the Second Line procession and float displays.
Mardi Gras Mambo
Mardi Gras Mambo is a high-energy Mardi Gras celebration featuring live entertainment, Krewe participation, and a citywide party atmosphere.
The event brings together the entire Mardi Gras community to celebrate the biggest weekend of the season.
No—Mambo is open to everyone! Krewes are encouraged to attend and celebrate together, but the event welcomes the general public. Age restrictions or ID checks may apply based on venue policies.
Parking is available at the venue for a fee. Additional parking may be available in nearby public and private lots throughout downtown on a first-come basis.
Yes—concessions will be available for purchase throughout the venue, including food and beverage options.
Ticket pricing will be announced closer to the event. Tickets will be available for purchase through Ticketmaster once on sale.
Yes. Seating options may include:
- Table seating on the arena floor
- Reserved seating sections
- VIP areas
- General admission areas
Seating maps will be made available closer to the event.
Yes! A central party-pit style dance floor will be located on the arena floor near the stage. This area is designed for high-energy celebration and open dancing throughout the night.
There’s no required dress code, but guests are encouraged to wear festive Mardi Gras attire.
Many attendees wear:
- Purple, green and gold
- Krewe attire
- Mardi Gras beads and costumes
- Party outfits
Mambo is a Mardi Gras party featuring live headlining performances—it’s not a traditional concert format. The event blends music, krewe involvement, dancing, tables, VIP areas, and interactive programming to kick off parade weekend with a celebration of the community.
Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade
This is an important question and Pensacola Mardi Gras is here to give you the official answer. The Krewes have been instructed to not throw ANY item off their float unit there float hit the traffic light at Garden and Spring Streets.
This is a major concern for safety without barricades. Our “staging” / “line up” begins on the South side of Garden and Spring and because Krewes have to be funneled in onto Garden and Spring we need a good amount of space to make that happen safely.
The parade rolls rain or shine. Pensacola Mardi Gras works closely with law enforcement, public safety officials, and emergency management to monitor conditions throughout the day. If weather creates a public safety risk, an official announcement will be made on PMG channels.
No. Due to road closures, public safety coordination, and seasonal scheduling, the parade does not have a rain date and will not be rescheduled.
No. While we love our furry friends, pets are not permitted along the parade route or within the event footprint for safety and crowd-control reasons. Service animals permitted under ADA guidelines are allowed.
The 2026 parade route is temporarily adjusted to accommodate the Palafox Street improvement project. The route will feature modified turns and viewing areas. A full map and details can be found here
Yes. Accessible parking will be available in designated areas near approved viewing zones. A map will be released closer to the parade date highlighting accessible parking, drop-off points, and ADA-friendly viewing areas.
Parking is available throughout downtown, but not on streets that will close for the parade route or staging areas. We will release maps to guide public, paid, and accessible parking options closer to the event.
Road closure maps and timing will be released closer to the event in coordination with the City of Pensacola, Pensacola Police Department, and traffic-control partners.
Yes! We offer a designated family-friendly viewing area sponsored by (Sponsor) with space for strollers, seating, and comfortable parade-day viewing. A map with the exact location will be released closer to the event.
Yes, we host a variety of food, beverage, and merchandise vendors throughout the parade footprint. A vendor map will be posted before parade day.
If you’re interested in being a vendor, just fill out this quick form and we will get back with you.
No. Parade participants can not be dropped off in the line up area.
No. Because of the foot traffic the line up has, no Golf Carts are allowed unless it is given direct permission from Pensacola Mardi Gras.
Fat Tuesday Celebration
The Fat Tuesday Celebration, a longstanding Pensacola Mardi Gras tradition, kicks off at 11:00 a.m. with a Jazz Royalty Brunch featuring a Mardi Gras menu, Skyy Vodka Bloody Mary specials, and a low country boil. Various Krewes transform Seville Quarter into the French Quarter for the day, with each Krewe taking over different rooms. At 2 p.m., Krewe Royalty and officials will oversee the transformation, culminating in the coronation of the new King and Queen Priscus at 7 p.m. The evening includes live entertainment, awards presentation by Pensacola Mardi Gras President Danny Zimmern, a Mardi Gras drag show, and dancing.
This event is 21 and up!
Because this is a “inside” event, we will not host any vendors.