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Celebrate Mardi Gras in Pensacola, Florida: A Guide to the Festivities

Celebrate Mardi Gras in Pensacola, Florida: A Guide to the Festivities

By Nicole St. Aubin Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Pensacolians start talking about Mardi Gras the day after the New Year, when the first King Cakes arrive in town! One of the most anticipated celebrations in the city is Mardi Gras—a time of parades, revelry, and community spirit. Whether you're a local or visiting, Pensacola offers a unique Mardi Gras experience that combines traditional Southern charm with coastal flair. Here's what you need to know to make the most of the festivities.

A Brief History of Mardi Gras in Pensacola

While New Orleans, Louisiana is the epicenter of Mardi Gras, and Mobile, Alabama is the birthplace of Mardi Gras, Pensacola has its own storied traditions. The city’s Mardi Gras celebrations date back over a century, making it one of the oldest in Florida. Rooted in French and Spanish influences, Pensacola’s version of Mardi Gras reflects its diverse cultural heritage. The festival has grown over the years to include parades, balls, and family-friendly activities.

Top Mardi Gras Events in Pensacola

  1. Mardi Gras Parades
  2. The highlight of the season, the Pensacola area is home to several Mardi Gras parades through February and March. Here’s a full list of parades for 2025:
    1. Milton Mardi Gras Parade: February 15th, 2:30 pm in Downtown Milton on Stewart Street
    2. Navarre Krewe of Jesters Mardi Gras Parade: February 22nd, 1:00 pm on Gulf Blvd at Navarre Beach
    3. 2025 Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated Mardi Gras Parade: February 28th, 7:30 pm in downtown Pensacola
    4. Pensacola Mardi Gras Grand Parade: March 1st,  2:00 pm-7:00 pm at Palafox and Government Streets in Downtown Pensacola
    5. Krewe of Wrecks Mardi Gras Parade: March 2nd,  2:00 pm held on Via Deluna at Pensacola Beach
  3. Unique Parades you Shouldn’t Miss
    • The Pirates of Lost Treasure Flotilla Boat Parade will take place on February 15th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, traveling from Sunset Grill to the Flora-Bama in Perdido Key.
    • Don't miss the annual Paw-di Gras Parade, happening this year on February 16th in Downtown Pensacola. This delightful "paw-rade" features around 500 dogs and supports local animal shelters and rescues.
    • The Kids and Kritters Parade, held on February 8th at 2:00 PM in the Casino Beach parking lot, is a fun mini-float parade open to everyone. It features a walking procession for people and their pets, making it a favorite for animal lovers and families alike.
  4. Mardi Gras Balls
    • Many krewes host elaborate masquerade balls throughout the season. These ticketed events are an opportunity to dress up, enjoy live music, and celebrate in style.
  5. Family-Oriented Events
    • Pensacola’s Mardi Gras is family-friendly, with activities like kids’ parades, face painting, and craft workshops.

Tips for Enjoying Mardi Gras iarades in Pensacola

  • Arrive Early: Parades draw large crowds, so arrive early to secure a good viewing spot. Bring chairs, blankets, and snacks to make your wait comfortable.
  • Dress Festively: Embrace the spirit of Mardi Gras by wearing purple, green, and gold—the traditional colors symbolizing justice, faith, and power.
  • Catch the Beads: Bring a bag or bucket to collect beads, trinkets, stuffed animals, moon pies, and other goodies thrown from the floats.
  • Plan Your Parking: Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach can get crowded, so consider carpooling or using rideshare services. For Downtown Pensacola, we recommend parking north of the parade route for an easier exit after the festivities. If you're attending a beach parade, plan to spend a few hours enjoying the beach before and after the event!

If you're visiting Pensacola from out of town, you're in for a treat! From luxurious beachfront resorts to cozy bed-and-breakfasts, the city offers accommodations to suit every traveler.

But the real magic of Mardi Gras isn’t just in the parades and festivities—it’s in the food! Many local restaurants embrace the spirit of the season, serving up iconic dishes like savory gumbo, fluffy beignets, and, of course, the star of winter celebrations: King Cake.

King Cake holds a special place in our hearts during Mardi Gras, and Pensacola offers plenty of local bakeries and shops to indulge your cravings. Stay tuned as we share the best spots to grab a slice (or two!) of this beloved treat.

Our favorite Places to Buy a King Cake

  • Smallcakes brings in authentic New Orleans Gambino King Cakes from New Orleans. They also make an in-house King Cake Cupcake.
  • J's Bakery and Cafe makes a traditional King Cake from scratch as well as an assortment of fruit flavors.
  • LeDough makes a custom vegan King Cake with cream cheese filling complete with the baby inside that you can order online and pick up.
  • Broussard's Bayou Grill has also brought King Cakes straight from Mardi Gras headquarters of Louisiana. Broussard's is featuring Rickey Meche's Donut King Cakes in a variety of flavors. They also have savory Boudin King Cakes.
  • Milton Quality Bakery makes a strawberry and a cream cheese King Cake that we love!  

Join the Fun

Mardi Gras in Pensacola is a celebration of community, culture, and joy. With its mix of traditional festivities and coastal charm, it’s an event that everyone can enjoy. Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and get ready to laissez les bons temps rouler—let the good times roll! For more information on parade schedules and events, visit Pensacola Mardi Gras.

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Nicole St. Aubin
Operations Director, Broker

Nicole St. Aubin joined the Realty Masters team in 2004. She is a licensed Florida Real Estate Broker and is the Director of Operations at Realty Masters. Nicole graduated from University of West Florida in 2007 with a BS in Communication Arts. She has continued her education in the real estate and property management industry, earning several certifications and designations including the Military Relocation Professional, At Home With Diversity Certification, and Cert...

Nicole St. Aubin joined the Realty Masters team in 2004. She is a licensed Florida Real Estate Broker and is the Director of Operations at Realty Masters. Nicole graduated from University of West Florida in 2007 with a BS in Communication Arts. She has continued her education in the real estate and property management industry, earning several certifications and designations including the Military Relocation Professional, At Home With Diversity Certification, and Certified Residential Specialist designation, which less than 1% of Realtors earn. As a Realtor for 17 years, she has experience in helping everyone, from first time homebuyers to seasoned investors selling their income-producing properties.

With her expertise in both investment sales and rental properties, Nicole is seen to be a local industry expert in the Pensacola area rental market. She served 6 years on the Pensacola Association of Realtors Board of Directors and continues to be an active board member with the Pensacola Chapter of the National Association of Residential Property Managers. In addition to being chosen as one of InWeekly’s Rising Stars, Nicole has been featured in Florida Trend Magazine, the Pensacola News Journal, and WEAR TV. Nicole has a passion for community work and has also volunteered with several Pensacola area non-profits including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Guardian Ad Litem, Pensacola Young Professionals, and Make-a-Wish Foundation.

As a nature enthusiast and workaholic, she loves photographing everything from houses to the sunrise. When she is not working, she is spending time with her husband and two young daughters. Nicole truly cares about providing safe, affordable, and fair housing for all in the Pensacola area. If you have any questions or concerns about your experience with Realty Masters, please feel free to reach out to Nicole directly.

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