BEADS, PARADES & ISLAND FUN!
Space City Mardi Gras Weekend in Galveston -January 29–31, 2027
Grab your beads, bring your Mardi Gras spirit, and join Space City for a weekend of colorful parades, lively entertainment, and fun with club friends on Galveston Island!
Spend two nights on the Seawall and enjoy a weekend filled with opportunities to catch beads, dance in the streets, and take in the festivities. Whether you want to be in the middle of the action or mix parade watching with a leisurely meal and a stroll around town, there’s room to enjoy the weekend your way.
A Weekend Worth Celebrating
Friday: Let the festivities begin!
Arrive, settle into the hotel, and head to the historic downtown Entertainment District for opening-night celebrations. Friday’s attractions include the George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Honoree Parade, the Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade, live entertainment, and the Mardi Gras! Street Circus.
The Umbrella Brigade brings a sea of decorated umbrellas, costumes, and dancing to the streets. Karen Leeson is coordinating Space City’s participation, with group plans and umbrella-decorating details to be shared after signup. Prefer to watch? Enjoy the colorful procession and cheer everyone on!
The festival currently offers free Friday admission to the Entertainment District for participants arriving with a decorated umbrella between 5:00 and 8:30 p.m.
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FRIDAY AGENDA |
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6:00 p.m.–Midnight - Mardi Gras! Street Circus
The excitement kicks off at 22nd Street Stage with a high-energy spectacle inspired by the Big Top. Enjoy a rotating lineup of LED performers, aerialists, sword masters, and a fire-breathing finale that lights up the night.
7:30 p.m. - George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Honoree Parade
The first parade of Mardi Gras Galveston 2026! Marching bands, dance squads, Carne’s Fleet of Bumpin’ Buses, The Union Fire Truck, and local floats tossing beads and treats. Route: 25th & Mechanic ? loops around Mechanic & Strand (20th–25th)
8:30 p.m. - The Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade
In memory of Mary Pregler This beloved, bedazzled parade has broken world records for decorated umbrellas and continues to draw fans from across Texas. Expect dancing, Hokey Pokey under the Mardi Gras Arch, and a joyful sea of color and costume up! Participants get free entry to the street party.
10:00 p.m. - Da Krewe du Roux Parade
Dance along as rolling floats, dancers, and performers cruise through the Entertainment District. Be ready to catch beads and revel in the rhythm. |
Saturday: Parades, beads, and plenty of choices
Saturday brings a full day of Mardi Gras fun, including the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade, the Zaniest Golf Cart Parade, and the Mardi Gras! Art Car & Jeep Parade. Enjoy the creativity, catch some beads, and take breaks for food, shopping, or time with friends.
The evening’s Krewe of Gambrinus Parade is a weekend highlight, featuring large floats, marching bands, and plenty of bead tossing. Make a day of the festivities or choose the events that interest you most.
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SATURDAY AGENDA |
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12:00 p.m. - Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade
A 65-unit parade featuring double-decker floats, marching bands, dance teams, and more. Route: 57th & Seawall ? east to 25th ? into Entertainment District ? Strand Street
1:00 p.m. - 16th Annual Zaniest Golf Cart Parade
Locals and visitors roll down the Strand in wildly decorated golf carts. Creativity is the name of the game.
3:00 p.m. - Mardi Gras! Art Car & Jeep Parade
A visual feast featuring Houston’s ArtX Group and 40+ tricked-out Jeeps, with entries coming from as far as Canada. Perfect for families, art lovers, and Jeep enthusiasts.
3:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. - Mardi Gras! Street Circus
The circus returns to the 22nd Street Stage with nonstop performances and a fire-breathing finale. This is the heartbeat of Saturday’s revelry.
4:15 p.m. - Largest Texas Line Dance
Head to the Corona Extra Stage to help set a record! All ages welcome — stomp, slide, and dance Texas-style before the evening parades roll in.
6:00 p.m. - Krewe of Gambrinus Parade
One of Galveston’s two Super Parades! Featuring 14 massive floats, numerous marching bands, and more than 600,000 beads tossed to the crowd. Route: 57th & Seawall ? east to 5th ? into Entertainment District ? Strand Street. Bring your lawn chairs and cooler. This parade passes right by our hotel |
Sunday: Keep the celebration going
Enjoy breakfast before checking out. If you’re not ready to head home, extend your afternoon with Fiesta Gras! festivities, including the Fiesta Gras! Parade, Hispanic heritage entertainment, and the Los Locos Vaqueros Jeep & Golf Cart Parade.
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SUNDAY AGENDA |
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1:00 p.m. - Fiesta Gras! Parade
A vibrant celebration of Hispanic heritage with floats, dance groups, marching bands, and dazzling costumes. Expect beads, music, and cultural flair.
4:00 p.m. - Los Locos Vaqueros, Jeeps & Golf Carts Parade |
Festival events are optional, and schedules are subject to change. Visit the official Mardi Gras! Galveston website for current times, routes, entertainment, and admission information.
Between the Parades
Part of the pleasure of a Galveston weekend is having time to explore. Browse the shops around the Strand, stop for a seafood lunch, enjoy a café, or take a walk along the Seawall. Spend time with your Space City friends while leaving room for a few discoveries of your own.
Your Seawall Home Base
Our home for the weekend is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Galveston Beach, located at 3228 Seawall Boulevard.
Your package includes a two-night stay, breakfast, and hotel parking. Start the morning with breakfast before heading out, then return to the hotel when you’re ready for a break.
The downtown Entertainment District is approximately two miles from the hotel. Transportation to the festivities is on your own, so plan to carpool or use a rideshare service.
Hotel check-in begins at 4:00 p.m., and checkout is at 11:00 a.m.
Meeting Space Reservations
I’ve included our property information packet for your review, offering details of our hotel’s guest rooms and services. In addition, you are welcome to visit the hotel virtually at https://visitingmedia.com/app/properties/4360/all-assets-share
By clicking the link above, you’ll be able to review hotel’s 360 Virtual Tour, the hotel’s amenities & services, cruise details, Staff Pick restaurant guide & attractions, and much more!
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Galveston Beach is sure to provide:
• Ease of bookings: Sign up for IHG One Rewards to secure your reservations with ease, access billing, point benefits and more
What’s Included
• Two nights at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Galveston Beach, double occupancy
• Breakfast
• Hotel parking
Additional Expenses
• Lunches and dinners
• Festival admission and any separately ticketed activities
• Transportation to Galveston and around the island
Meals are on your own, with restaurant suggestions available from the trip coordinator. Carpooling is encouraged.
Bil Cusack - Trip Coordinator