Pensacola Mardi Gras Parade Routes & Information
Mardi Gras in Pensacola is a special time when the city comes to life. From scenes of purple, gold, and green, layers of beads, moon pies, and more, there are many reasons to attend a Mardi Gras Parade. Excitingly, the Pensacola Bay Area boasts three parades - two in downtown Pensacola and one on Pensacola Beach, along with other parades in neighboring cities like Navarre and Milton. Read below for parade information and insider tips to enjoy Mardi Gras in Pensacola!
Downtown Pensacola Parades
Downtown Pensacola boasts two Mardi Gras Parades, the Illuminated Parade on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. and the Grand Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday at 2 p.m. Fun tip: If you love the Mardi Gras floats, head to Spring street early to get a closer look! The street is closed, but be mindful that floats are being pulled in and out, so be on the lookout. Downtown parades typically last several hours, so pack your patience, get a good spot, and be ready to hurry up and wait. Being earlier in the parade route ensures seeing all the floats the quickest, versus towards the end, where you have to wait for them to make it through.
Kids Viewing Zone
Handicap Amenities
- The handicap viewing area is on the corner of Gregory and the west side of Palafox.
- Handicap parking is available on the corner of Gregory and Palafox, across from the Smart Bank.
- Parking and the viewing area are first come, first served. There will be no bleachers in the viewing area.
- There are handicapped porta potties at this location and the kid's viewing area.
Downtown Road Closure Information
Check out the trolley map below for the Grand Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, as well as Downtown road closure information.
The City of Pensacola has temporarily modified the downtown parade route during construction for The New Palafox project.
Instead of crossing Garden Street and traveling down South Palafox Street to Main Street, parades will now cross Garden Street and travel down South Jefferson Street to Main Street.
Road closures will be in effect in Downtown Pensacola on Friday, Feb. 13, at ~4:30 P.M., and on Saturday, Feb. 14, at ~11:00 A.M. for the annual Krewe of Lafitte Parade and the Grand Mardi Gras Parade. The float staging area and the parade route will be closed to traffic approximately three hours before each parade begins. Friday's parade begins at 7:30 P.M. & Saturday's parade begins at 2:00 P.M.
Residents and visitors are reminded to follow all posted signage. Parking is prohibited on the parade route. Additionally, there will be no parking on:
- Main Street between Reus and Jefferson Street
- Reus Street between Main Street and Garden Street
- Garden Street between Reus and Jefferson Street
- Baylen Street between Main and Wright Street
- Portions of Tarragona and Chase Street north of Garden Street
Vehicles will be towed if found on the parade route or the additional "no parking" zones when road closures begin.
Street closures will extend to Tarragona Street, DeVilliers Street, and Main Street. These are the same closures implemented at the Martin Luther King Jr. parade and the Pensacola Christmas parade.
Drivers and pedestrians are reminded to use caution in the area. Heavy parade and float traffic is expected between Wright Street and Main Street, impacting Garden Street, Palafox Street, and Spring Street.
For information on road closures, please get in touch with the Pensacola Police Department at 850-435-1845.
Pensacola Beach Parade
