St Louis Mardi Gras 2026

St Louis Mardi Gras 2026

St.Louis Mardi Gras (Soulard Mardi Gras) is the second largest Mardi Gras festival in the United States.

• If you plan on visiting, book your hotel as the Mardi Gras is one of the most popular events in the city. Downtown St Louis hotels sell out well in advance. Stay close to the center of all the action at the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis

The Event

• Starts January 6, 2026, and concludes on Fat Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
• The theme for the Carnival is Peace, Love, and Mardi Gras.

Where does St Louis Mardi Gras take place?

• The city of St.Louis was named after a French royal and was once called ‘The Paris of the West.’ No wonder Mardi Gras is a pretty big deal in the city.
• The Soulard neighborhood , named after Antoine Soulard, the founder of St.Louis, is the epicenter of the huge and colorful festivities.
• Soulard Mardi Gras typically begins with Twelfth Night on January 5th 2026 and lasts through Fat Tuesday. However the main events kick off the weekend before.

St. Louis Mardi Gras Parade

• Tuesday 17th February, 2026 – The biggest Mardi Gras parade in the US after New Orleans begins at Busch Stadium and passes through the streets of Downtown South and Soulard to end with a big bash at Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Every year the parade has a different theme.
• The parade features over 100 floats that bring the theme to life. Altogether, over 10,000,000 strands of beads will be thrown into the crowds lining the streets by Mardi Gras revelers. The celebration also features live music and delicious Southern and Cajun foods!
• Hotels close to the Parade include Drury Plaza St. Louis at the Arch – Rated Superb by guests and 1.6km from the event and Live by Loews, rated “Fabulous” by guests and 2km from the parade.
• There is no better way to experience Mardi Gras than by being in the Bud Light Party Tent or the Blues Blues Alumni Tent. Admission gets you an open bar, heat lamps, BATHROOMS, a cajun lunch buffet, optimal parade viewing, and free beads.

Taste of Soulard

• Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8 – Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm – Check out Soulard the weekend prior to Grand Parade day. Saturday and Sunday are the “Taste of Soulard” in which many of the Soulard bars and restaurants will pass out samples of their signature food and drinks with the purchase of a “passport”.
• On Saturday’s “Taste” there’s even complimentary shuttles roaming the neighborhood taking participants to the participating venues.

The Pet Parade

• Sunday – February 8 – The Pet Parade is said to be one of the largest Pet Parades in the world and usually brings out a lot of party animals ranging from Dogs, Cats, Goats, Horses, and in years past, even a dinosaur!
• Parade: 1:00 pm Begins at 12th and Allen

Wiener Dog Derby

• Sunday – February 8 – Opening Ceremonies: 1:45 pm First Heat: 2:00 pm – St Louis top Wieners have been working hard all offseason for this, and now the time has arrived for the nation’s longest-running wiener dog derby!
• Participants square off  at Soulard Market to determine the dashingest dachshund in all of the land.
• Horseshoe Casino Stadium in Soulard Market Park.
• Stay a short ride from the festivities at Live! by Loews, rated “Fabulous” by guests with a perfect downtown location, boutique rooms and epic views of St.Louis.

Top Tips

• Note, The Festival is primarily a CASH-ONLY event. Even bars and restaurants that take cards the other 364 days of the year are cash only on Grand Parade day.
• Take a taxi or rideshare! The entire Soulard Neighborhood is effectively a “No Parking” zone the day of the Grand Parade. Even the surrounding neighborhoods of Lafayette Square, McKinley Heights, Benton Park and the area by Busch Stadium will be full by 10am. Several bars and restaurants operate shuttles to Soulard from Downtown.

Gay St Louis During Mardi Gras

The gay bars and clubs of St.Louis celebrate Mardi Gras with gusto! Picture amazing over the top costumes, theme parties and late night events throughout the celebrations.

• If you want to be close to the gay nightlife, try the Hampton Inn and Suites St Louis, a 3 star hotel rated “Fabulous” by guests. The Element St. Louis Midtown is also a great option with pool, crisp decor and suites complete with kitchen and spacious rooms.

Gay Neighbourhoods in St. Louis

• The Grove neighborhood, the district is located between Kingshighway and Vandeventer along Manchester Avenue and is the city’s undisputed crown jewel.
• Hit up Prism, a cocktail and drag bar featuring a cocktail lounge and a cabaret stage plus a 2,000 square foot outdoor patio. The patio at Just John is the place to be on warm summer nights. Rehab Bar & Grill is a laid-back oasis with a full menu.
• The South Grand neighborhood—in addition to housing a whole world of ethnic restaurants—is home to spots like punk-rock dive bar CBGB for bands and strong drinks. On nearby Spring Avenue, the Grey Fox Pub hosts drag and cabaret events most nights, after its charmingly low-key happy hour. Bar PM and Hummel’s Pub are a mini-gayborhood in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Carondelet.

Where to stay during St. Louis Mardi Gras?

The following hotels are close to all of the city’s top attractions and a short ride to the Mardi Gras celebrations:

Angad Arts Hotel,  Hyatt Regency,  The Westin,  The Last Hotel STL