Bourbon Street comes to Front Street…
Beaufort’s Waterfront Mardi Gras Festival is a three-day celebration with feasts, parades, costumes, masks, and revelry. Highlights will include a Masquerade Ball, Parade and Street Carnival, and the Sinner’s Remorse Brunch.
The event is sponsored by the Beaufort Business Association.
After going to Beaufort’s Mardi Gras Celebration, you’ll understand why Beaufort was named to the list of “America’s Quirkiest Towns” by Travel + Leisure magazine.
Local’s Tip: When it comes to what to wear for a Mardi Gras Celebration, you cannot go wrong by wearing the official Mardi Gras colors – green, purple, and gold. Wear beads. Jester hats, carnival masks, and glittery or sequined clothes are also great party outfits for those who want to go all out.
Mardi Gras Parade
The crowds fill the parade route on Front Street and on Middle Lane in anticipation of the parade starting at 3 p.m. sharp, with the crowning of the Mardi Gras King and Queen.
Beaufort’s Mardi Gras Celebration is a true display of Beaufort’s quirkiness. The parade of “krewes” in costume tossing jewelry and charms is something to see. The Sweet Potato Queens always steal the show! The group of women aged 40-70, all dress in elaborate costumes and perform choreographed routines.
New Parade Route: The parade starts at Truist Bank and proceeds west on Front Street to Turner Street and turns right to continue onto Middle Lane, ending on Craven Street.
The Mardi Gras Parade is presented by Harbor Specialties.
Street Carnival
New Orleans-Inspired Food, Drink & Live Music! Enjoy an afternoon carnival filled with Cajun food and live music! Local restaurants will offer Traditional Cajun or Creole cuisine at their food booths up and down Middle Lane and on Front Street and John Newton Park. It is the place for festivalgoers to enjoy Mardi Gras standards like gumbo, smoked sausages, barbecue, shrimp, po’boys, muffuletta, jambalaya, and the popular king cakes. Special Louisiana beers, Hurricanes, and a New-Orleans-inspired Bourbon Street Punch will be available. The Beer Garden with food truck cuisine will be at the Craven Street parking lot.
Children’s Activities! Bring the kids along for family activities including balloon art, face painting and mask making experiences under the tent in the Kid’s Area at John Newton Park on Front Street.
Be sure to look for the roaming street performers including stilt walkers, jugglers, balloon twisters, and face painters. These carnival themed entertainers on Front Street and Middle Lane will add to the festive atmosphere.
Artists & Vendors! Stroll through the outdoor arts tents showcasing an exhibition of outstanding fine art.
Parade and Street Carnival, 11 am – 5 pm. Free admission.
Masquerade Ball
The premier event of Beaufort’s Mardi Gras includes interactive food stations. Interact with carnival themed entertainers that will add to the festive atmosphere. Sample the Bourbon Street Tasting sponsored by Woodford Reserve.
The event takes place in the West Parking Lot on Front Street.
Presented by the Beaufort Hotel
Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, 6 – 10 pm.
Sinner’s Remorse Brunch
There will be no need to repent after the Mardi Gras Celebration with a quintessential Louisiana brunch. Mardi Gras brunch puts the easy in Big Easy with authentic New Orleans breakfast dishes setup in stations, under the big tent, and served by local restaurants. Let’s not forget Tito’s Bloody Mary Bar and Mimosas. There will be plenty of live music to fill the air on Front Street.
Blazin’ Keys Dueling Pianos will be the featured entertainment! Enjoy the best live music with high intensity flavor with a step up in comparison from your average piano bar.
Mardi Gras Sunday Brunch, 11 am – 2 pm.
PRO/AM Gumbo Competition & Tasting
Don’t miss your opportunity to sample Classic New Orleanian-style gumbo. Amateur and professional cooks will participate in the Pro/Am Gumbo Competition and Tasting. The competition is guaranteed to be fun and exciting, and rewarding for our contestants! Professional and amateur divisions will be judged separately, and the winners will be announced during the festival. The event starts at Noon and takes place under the tent in the West Parking Lot on Front Street. Presented by Eddy Myers Real Estate.
Book Your Stay
The Beaufort Hotel is the Official Host Hotel for Beaufort’s 2023 Mardi Gras Celebration. Enjoy a complete Mardi Gras experience by booking our special package. You’ll discover why the Beaufort Hotel was named the Best Boutique Hotel in America by USA Today – two years in a row!
Mardi Gras Package Details:
• 3 Days / 2 Nights at the award-winning waterfront Beaufort Hotel.
• Elegant hotel accommodations for two with coastal North Carolina décor, the highest quality amenities, luxurious linens, and amenities.
• Signature Welcome Bourbon Cocktail at 34° North Restaurant.
• Guests will receive up to a $20 credit per adult, each morning for our weekend brunch.
• Signature Mardi Gras beads for each person.
• Complimentary shuttle service to the downtown Mardi Gras festival grounds.
• Valet parking each day, unlimited in and out service for one vehicle.
• Relax and enjoy the hotel’s guest amenities including the state-of-the-art fitness center.
Call 252-728-3000 and ask for Rate Code PMARDI or book online using the link below:
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