St.Louis Mardi Gras (Soulard Mardi Gras) 2024 in Midwest

The city of St.Louis was named after a French royalty and once called 'The Paris of the West.' No wonder Mardi Gras is a pretty big deal out there. Soulard neighborhood that is named after Antoine Soulard, the founder of St.Louis, is the epicenter of the massive festivities. The Soulard Mardi Gras begins with Twelfth Night on January 6 and lasts through Fat Tuesday. The culmination of the celebration is the Bud Light Grand Parade, attended by hundreds of thousands. The festive season also includes a few balls, smaller parades, and charity events all over the city. Kids' celebration is hosted by St. Louis Zoo.

Bud Light Grand Parade is the event that the city anticipates for the whole year. The biggest Mardi Gras parade in the US after New Orleans begins at Busch Stadium and passes through the streets of Downtown South and Soulard to end with a big bash at Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Every year the parade has a different theme. There was a music theme, hockey team, skies theme, seas theme, and more. The parade features over 100 floats that bring the theme to life. Altogether, over 10,000,000 strands of beads will be thrown into the crowds lining the streets by Mardi Gras revelers. The celebration also features live music and delicious Southern and cajun foods!

Purina Pet Parade (February 4, 2024)

Another highlight of St.Louis Mardi Gras is the adorable Purina Pet Parade. The highly anticipated procession takes place at 1 pm, starting at the intersection of 12th St. and Allen Lane. Anyone can bring a furry friend to participate in this colorful event. Registration is available online or in person, three hours prior to the parade. The best-dressed pets can become members of the Court of the Mystical Krewe of Barkus and witness the Coronation Pageant at Soulard Market Park where the King and Queen of Barkus will be crowned. Proceeds from the Purina Pet Parade go to Open Door Animal Sanctuary.