Mardi Gras Parade

Our 2023 Mardi Gras Parade will take place on Tuesday, February 21 at 10 a.m.

The history of the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras parade dates back to 1978 when a group of locals decided Gulf Shores needed a parade. Those locals formed the Pleasure Island Players and thus Mardi Gras began in Gulf Shores. A year later the Mystic Order of Shiners joined the Pleasure Island Players to become what is now the oldest parading order in Baldwin County.

Participate in the Parade

Anyone interested in participating in the parade can do so by completing the application. To print and fill out an application, click here. 

All applications are due by February 21 at 5 p.m.

Email or mail your application to Erica Bassett, our Event Supervisor.

Email: 
ebassett@gulfshoresal.gov

Mail:
City of Gulf Shores Special Events
Attention: Erica Bassett
P.O. Box 299
Gulf Shores, AL 36547

Parade Route/Traffic Modifications

The 43rd Annual Mardi Gras Parade will begin at the intersection of Highway 59 and East Beach Boulevard (Highway 182) and will travel along East Beach Boulevard to the Gulf State Park Pier Road.

The City of Gulf Shores would like to make all residents and visitors aware of the following traffic flow modifications related to the Mardi Gras Parade:

6 a.m. 

  • West Gulf Place beach access and parking lot will be closed. Parking will only be available for parade participants and float setup. 

8 a.m.

  • West Beach Boulevard (Highway 182 West) will be closed between Highway 59 and West 3rd street for the staging of the parade.

9:45 a.m.

  • Access to West Beach Boulevard and East BEach Boulevard via Highway 59 will be closed. 
  • Access to East Beach Boulevard via East 1st, East 2nd, and East 4th Street will be closed.
  • Traffic headed westbound on East Beach Boulevard near the Gulf State Park Pier will be diverted to State Park Road (Highway 135) for access to Highway 59.

10 a.m.

  • Mardi Gras Parade begins.

11:30 a.m.

  • All normal Traffic Conditions should resume.


You can download a parade route map by clicking here.

2022 Mardi Gras Parade Route