Mardi Gras St Louis 2025

The Mardi Gras season is beginning! Let the good times roll in a historic Soulard neighborhood!

Mardi Gras in St. Louis, particularly in the Soulard neighborhood, is one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations outside of New Orleans.

St. Louis was founded in 1764 by French settlers, and Mardi Gras traditions reflect the city's French-Catholic roots. But there's one different story about the beginnings of this event. In 1980, five friends decided to throw a party after a snowstorm, so they collected money, invited people, and arranged one! Interestingly, one of those friends had a building in Soulard, where the Mardi Gras-themed party was held. They even organized the grand parade, which was less than three blocks long.

The party was a success and continued to grow over the years. In the summer of 1999, nonprofits Mardi Gras, Inc. and the Mardi Gras Foundation were formed to help organize and run the parade and other events that begin in early January.

Celebrate the Soulard Mardi Gras from January 6 to March 4!

What to Expect When Attending Mardi Gras St Louis 2025

The streets of Soulard will transform into a party zone, with revelers in colorful costumes, beads flying through the air, and music everywhere.

Some of the most awaited upcoming events at the Mardi Gras St Luis are the 12th Night Celebration, Bud Light Grand Parade, Purina Pet Parade, and Cajun Cook-Off.

The 12th Night celebration officially kicks off the Mardi Gras season in St. Louis and marks the start of the Carnival festivities. It’s a tradition from the Christian calendar, occurring on January 6, which is Epiphany—the 12th day after Christmas.

The Cajun Cook-Off is scheduled for February 15, celebrating the rich and flavorful culinary traditions of Cajun and Creole cuisine. It’s a must-attend for food lovers and a perfect way to experience the festive spirit of Soulard while indulging in mouthwatering dishes. The menu will include Gumbo, Jambalaya, red beans and rice, and Crawfish étouffée!

The pawfect event will happen on February 23 - Purina Pet Parade! Adorable pets dressed in festive costumes will parade through Soulard. It’s a family-friendly and crowd-pleasing event and one of the largest animal parades in the country.

On March 1, you can expect the Bud Light Grand Parade. This parade's route starts in Chouteau and goes through Downtown South and Soulard to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery.

Prepare for cold weather by dressing in layers. Average daytime temperatures will be around 6 C (43 F), while nighttime lows will drop to -4 C (25 F).

Tickets

Most events, like parades, are free to the public. However, some are ticketed. General admission to the Cajun Cook-Off is $70, while the kitchen pass is $110. A ticket for the Mayor's Mardi Gras Ball is $200, and for the Taste of Soulard, it's $35. If you want to attend the Bud Light Party Tent, the ticket costs $150.

Security Protocols

• Security personnel will be at the venues to prevent overcrowding and keep everyone safe.
• First aid stations are available throughout the festival area in case of an emergency.
• Bag checks are conducted at entry points.
• Prohibited items include large bags or backpacks and dangerous objects.

How to Get To or From the Event

Here's how to reach the event:

• Car: Soulard is located just south of downtown St. Louis. Take Interstates 55, 44, 64, or 70 to downtown, then follow the signs to Soulard. Limited street parking is available, but it fills up quickly; arrive on time to secure your spot!
• MetroLink: Take the MetroLink light rail to the Civic Center Station in downtown St. Louis. From there, board a shuttle bus or walk about 1.5 miles to the Soulard area.
• MetroBus: Several MetroBus lines serve Soulard during Mardi Gras events. For routes and schedules, check the Metro St. Louis website.

Mardi Gras St Louis 2025 Bag Policy

Bring only essentials, as large bags are prohibited.

The event doesn't provide an area to store your bags, but Bounce does!

Bounce connects travelers needing luggage storage with local businesses in more than 15,000 locations in over 4,000 cities worldwide.

You can contact us online through our web page or mobile app. We'll get you booked in no time!

Mardi Gras St Louis 2025 Bag Storage

Store Your Luggage With Bounce and Enjoy Lively Mardi Gras Events

Explore St Louis and find an area that suits you. After picking the area, simply contact us, and we'll find a place where you can store your luggage.

For only $4.10 per day and the 24/7 support we offer, you can enjoy your visit to St Louis and its Mardi Gras! And we won't charge you anything if you change your plans and have to cancel.

How to Stow Your Bag at Mardi Gras St Louis 2025 With Bounce

• Find the location that suits you, contact us, and pay online.
• Go to that location and show your confirmation to leave your bags.
• Visit the Festival and enjoy! Afterward, return to the store with the confirmation to pick up your stuff.

What to Expect When Attending Mardi Gras St Louis 2025

• Plan ahead: Check the event schedule for all information and prioritize your favorite activities. Don't skip the parades, as they are the highlight, but also attend everything that interests you.
• Sample food: The theme for this event is 'Soulard Celebrates Food' for a reason! Take advantage of events like Taste of Soulard to sample New Orleans-inspired dishes at local bars and restaurants. Don’t miss local favorites like gumbo, jambalaya, and themed cocktails (Hurricanes are popular!).
• Celebrate: Catch as many beads and trinkets as you can during the Grand Parade. Bring a bag for your loot! Also, join in the festive spirit—cheer for floats, dance to live bands, and embrace the community energy.

Store your luggage with Bounce while staying in St Louis. The Soulard Mardi Gras is a one-of-a-kind event.