Why You Need to Take Your Family to Celebrate Mardi Gras in Alabama Beaches
When you think of Mardi Gras, your mind might immediately go to the colorful chaos of New Orleans. But what if I told you there’s a more relaxed, family-friendly version—complete with parades, beads, beach vibes, and a whole lot of Southern charm? That’s exactly what you’ll find when you celebrate Mardi Gras on Alabama’s beaches, especially in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Whether you’ve got toddlers in tow or teens who are “too cool” for anything, this Gulf Coast celebration offers a perfect blend of festive fun and laid-back beach time. Here’s why this trip deserves a spot on your family’s travel bucket list.
Family-Friendly Mardi Gras Fun
Mardi Gras in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is a vibrant, coastal twist on a traditional celebration. The best part? It’s completely family-friendly. No wild crowds or late-night parties—just fun, colorful parades, community spirit, and warm coastal sunshine.
How To Get To Gulf Shores, Alabama
Whether you choose to road trip or fly, it is easy to travel to Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are in close proximity to two major interstates: I-10 and I-65. Many nearby cities, such as Atlanta and Nashville, are only a day’s trip away. From my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, the drive is roughly 11 hours.
While Gulf Shores has a small International Airport, many guests fly into Pensacola International Airport since it offers many non-stop flights from major cities during spring and summer.
However, Allegiant Airways has now started non-stop flights out of Gulf Shores International Airport with a direct flight from Cincinnati to Gulf Shores!!
Tip: It is an hour’s drive from Pensacola, Florida, to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Ensure to leave early enough to gas up your rental car before arriving at the airport.
Top Parades to Catch
Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade
Held on Fat Tuesday, this is the main event, full of creative floats, marching bands, and more beads than you can carry. Featuring the Mystic Order of Shriners, the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras parade features floats, marching bands, and paraders on Hwy 59 starting at the south end of the Intercoastal Waterway Bridge and ending at the Gulf Shores Public Beach.
Orange Beach Mystics Parade
Catch our favorite family-favorite parade along Perdido Beach Blvd in Orange Beach. The Orange Beach mystic societies, including the Mystical Order of Mirams and Mystics of Pleasure, offer a combined night parade starting at 5:30 pm. The Parade starts at the light just east of Phoenix West. It ends at the intersection of Hwy 161 and Perdido Beach Blvd, just past Publix.
Parades here are often daytime events, with only a few at night, so you can spend the rest of the afternoon soaking up the sun or enjoying seafood with a view.
Orange Beach Parade
The Orange Beach Parade is the same as the night parade, repeated but during the day! Bring bags for all the candy and throws! This is the one you don’t want to miss!
Tip: This is an EVENT. Come early to snag a spot along the parade route!
LuLu’s Mardi Gras Party and Boat Parade
You may have caught throws at Mardi Gras parades before, but have you gotten them from boats? LuLu’s in Gulf Shores celebrates its birthday and Fat Tuesday with one big anniversary and one of the most unique Mardi Gras parades in Alabama. Guests will enjoy free birthday cake, live music, a costume contest, and a boat parade. It’s a great event for adults and children alike to celebrate the Mardi Gras season.
Tip: Arrive early as this is a popular event. The boat parade is set to arrive a LuLu’s around 4pm.
Moon Pies on Main
Bring your kiddos and pups to MoonPies on Main at The Wharf for Lundi Gras. This was one of my daughter’s favorite events because she got to toss throws at the crowds, and there were tons of dogs all dressed up!
Note: While having parade throws is not required, you will need to provide your own throws if you wish to toss them. We used the ones we had collected over the past few parades! It was a great way to reuse them.
The kids and pet parade begins at 4 pm, and is followed by a ton of great family-friendly activities, including pony rides, bouncy houses, a rock wall, a face painter, and more. As evening falls, the float parades start at 6 pm!
Mardi Gras Parade and Party in Downtown OWA
Perfect for families and Mardi Gras enthusiasts alike, this free event features a community-based Mardi Gras parade, with colorful floats and dazzling beads filling the streets of Downtown OWA.
The celebration doesn’t stop there – enjoy live music on OWA Island, participate in the Moon Pie Eating Contest, and much more. Bring your family, friends, and your festive spirit; it’s a celebration you won’t want to miss!
The parade here wasn’t our favorite after seeing some of the big ones; however, we loved the Mardi Gras party full of kid-friendly activities throughout OWA. Face painting, stilt walkers, a king cake walk, and so much more!
Tips For First-Timers Going To A Mardi Gras Parade
- Streets will start closing down in preparation for the parade. I recommend arriving at least an hour early.
- Bring a lawn chair, blanket, and snacks. Many families bring games as well as they wait for the parade.
- Bring a bag or two for throws. Coming from the Midwest, where you catch a melty tootsie roll and one Dum Dum sucker max, this is a culture shock. You will leave the parade with a bag full of beads, moonpies, toys, and stuffies. It is wild what they throw! The last time they were throwing hula-hoops!
- There is such a thing as parade fatigue; after seeing a few, you are done.
- Parades, big and small, are happening all over the entire Mardi Gras weekend. Find a complete list of all the parades at Visit AL Beaches.
Where To Stay In Orange Beach For Mardi Gras
Our top pick on where to stay in Orange Beach to partake in all the Mardi Gras celebrations is hands-down Turquoise Place! It’s the perfect home base: upscale, family-focused, and just minutes from all the Mardi Gras festivities.
The moment you arrive at Turquoise Place, you’ll realize it’s not your average beach condo. This gated, high-end resort boasts stunning, spacious accommodations with floor-to-ceiling windows, modern furnishings, and—wait for it—your very own private balcony hot tub. Yes, you read that right. Imagine sinking into warm bubbles while watching the waves crash along the shore. It’s pure bliss.
Check out our full review of Turquoise Place!
Money Saving Tip: You can save 10% on your booking by using code CURIOUS when reserving through Spectrum Resorts. It’s just another way to make your luxurious getaway even sweeter.
Traveler Tip: The accommodations come with a full kitchen! Save time on your vacation by utilizing the Beach Moms to shop and stock your fridge before you arrive! They offer a full line of concierge services that save time and take the hassle out of vacation planning.
Mardi Gras Food and Drinks
Mardi Gras on Alabama’s beaches is honestly one of my favorite times to eat and drink my way along the coast. Everywhere you turn, there’s something festive happening—from seafood-forward dishes like shrimp po’boys and rich, cozy gumbo to sweet treats that feel straight out of a New Orleans bakery.
But my absolute favorite discovery? The King Cake Bushwacker. It’s the perfect beachy twist on a Mardi Gras classic. I highly recommend checking out CoastAL for their tasty Mardi Gras menu!
Where to Eat with the Family
This area knows how to do seafood right, and there are tons of kid-friendly spots where the grown-ups can enjoy delicious coastal cuisine too.
- The Hangout (Gulf Shores): Great for all ages with sand pits, games, and live music. The vibe is energetic, and the food hits the spot.
- LuLu’s (Gulf Shores): Owned by Jimmy Buffett’s sister, this colorful spot has a huge outdoor area, arcade, and allergy-friendly menu.
- Doc’s Seafood & Steaks (Orange Beach): Casual and legendary—get the fried shrimp.
- GTs on the Bay (Orange Beach): Gorgeous bay views and a kids’ play area. Don’t skip the crawfish mac & cheese!
Top Things to Do While You’re There
Beyond the parades, there are so many ways to keep your family entertained all week long. Get our complete list of Family Friendly Things To Do With Kids in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Here are a few of our favorites:
Beach Days, Of Course
The sugar-white sand and gentle surf make Alabama beaches perfect for young kids and teens alike. Build sandcastles, hunt for shells, or just relax while the kids burn off energy. However, during Mardi Gras season, the weather can be on the cooler side, so pack coats, jackets, and pants.
For a unique experience, set up a sand castle building class with Sand Castle University.
Visit The Wharf in Orange Beach
From a giant Ferris wheel to mini golf and laser tag, The Wharf is a family favorite. Don’t miss the SPECTRA light show in the evenings! They have tons of Mardi Gras events happening, so make sure to check out their event calendar.
Explore Gulf State Park
Bike the trails, walk the pier, or try a guided nature tour. It’s a great way to balance out parade hype with some outdoor time.
They have free bike rentals at the park, or you can pay to rent specialty bikes and kids’ bikes.
Dolphin Cruises & Kayaking
Book a dolphin cruise or rent kayaks for a peaceful paddle through the coastal waters. The whole family will love spotting wildlife in the bay.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
A family-favorite offering incredible interactive exhibits, special encounters, and beautiful grounds.
Your 4-DAY Mardi Gras Itinerary For Orange Beach, AL
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Saturday
- 12:00 pm Lunch at the Hangout
- 4:00 pm Check into Turquoise Place
- 5:30 pm Mystic of Pleasure and The Marshalls Parade in Orange Beach
- 8:00 pm Dinner at Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar
Sunday
- 8:30 am Grab King Cake Iced Coffee for Beach Girl Coffee
- 10:00 am Fort Morgan
- 11:30 pm Lunch at Tacky Jacks
- 1:00 pm Fort Morgan Parading Society
- 4:00 pm Mardi Gras Parade & Party in Downtown OWA
- 6:00 pm OWA Parade
- 7:00 pm Grab dinner at OWA
Monday (Lundi Monday)
- 10:00 am Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
- 1:00 pm Lunch at CoastalAL
- 4:00 pm Moonpies on Main at The Wharf
- 6:00 pm Catch the Float Parade
- 7:00 pm Grab dinner at GT’s on the Bay
Tuesday (Fat Tuesday)
- 10:00 am Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade
- 1:00 pm Head to Lulu’s for lunch and their Mardi Gras Party
- 4:00 pm Lulu’s Boat Parade
- 6:00 pm Dinner at The Gulf
- 8:00 pm Ice Cream at Sweet Cone Alabama
Alternatively, there is the 2:00 pm Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade.
Wednesday ( Ash Wednesday)
Many places are closed on Wednesday to observe Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. This is your departure day. Spend time soaking up the last bit of the beach and resort before heading home.
Beach + Beads = The Best Mardi Gras Ever
Mardi Gras in Alabama Beaches is where festive fun meets salty air and sandy toes. It’s a chance to create amazing memories with your family—without the overwhelming crowds or chaos. Parades by day, beach by afternoon, and seafood dinners at sunset? Yes, please.
Pack your beads and bathing suits, and get ready for a Mardi Gras experience that might just become your new family tradition.
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