The 2018 Mardi Gras Season Starts Saturday In St. Louis

Ryan
2265 days ago.

Mardi Gras Season Begins For 2018 On Saturday In Soulard With 12th Night Celebration

The first parade of the 2018 Mardi Gras season will take place Saturday night in Soulard as annual 12th Night celebration marks the start of the carnivale season in St. Louis.

The season will include parades, kid-friendly events, the popular Wine, Beer and Whiskey Taste, the Taste of Soulard, the Beggin’ Pet Parade, a ball and more. The season’s main event, the Bud Light Grand Parade, is set for Saturday, February 10.

The 2018 Mardi Gras season in St. Louis runs from January 6- February 13, 2018. Many of the events take place in the Soulard neighborhood.
The 2018 Mardi Gras season in St. Louis runs from January 6- February 13, 2018. Many of the events take place in the Soulard neighborhood.

Well it will hopefully take place.

Revelers and other interested parties are invited to Soulard Market Park beginning at 5 pm on Saturday, January 6th to petition the Mardi Gras Board of Directors as they decide the fate of the 2018 event.

At around 6: 45 pm Saturday, the Board will announce its decision at Rudy Plaza in front of the Soulard Farmers Market.

The 12th Night parade steps off at 7 pm from the Farmers Market and wind its way through the streets of Soulard before returning to Rudy Plaza. The parade will make 19 stops along the parade route to toast the season at neighborhood bars and restaurants such as Twisted Ranch (the first stop), Molly’s 1860’s, McGurk’s, iTap, Epic Pizza, Llywelyn’s and The Porch.

The Mardi Gras flag will then be raised in front of Lift for Life Academy to fly high above the streets of Soulard for the entirety of the 2018 season.

The 12th Night Parade kicks off the Mardi Gras season in Soulard.
The 12th Night Parade kicks off the Mardi Gras season in Soulard. on January 6 each year. The 2018 edition of the event takes place in Soulard this Saturday.

Those who have attended 12th Night festivities in the past will notice a big chance in the night’s festivities.  For many years, 12th Night announcement was made from the steps of the “birthplace of Soulard Mardi Gras” on Russell Boulevard. Johnny’s, which had occupied the spot for many years, closed last year. Harpo’s now occupies the spot, but is not a stop on the parade.

We’ll have more in the coming weeks on the events planned this season, but here is the calendar for the 2018 Mardi Gras season.

January 6 – 12th Night

January 13 & 14 – Snowman Softball Tournament

Coed softball takes place on Saturday with the Men’s division games taking place on Sunday.

Registration is $200 per team and can be done here.

January 20 – Family Winter Carnival

January 26 – Beer, Wine, and Whiskey Taste

Buy your tickets here for the Mardi Gras Beer, Wine and Whiskey Taste in Soulard.

January 27 – Cajun Cook-Off

Buy your tickets here for the Mardi Gras Cajun Cook-Off in Soulard.

February 3 & 4 – Taste of Soulard

Enjoy all that Soulard has to offer during the best weekend of the year in Soulard. While the event takes places on Saturday and Sunday, we suggest partaking in this event on Saturday and returning to Soulard on Sunday for the Beggin’ Pet Parade.

Buy your $25 ticket booklets here for Taste of Soulard. 

February 3 – Missouri Lottery Run For Your Beads 5K

Get your steps in before you eat your way through Soulard by running in the Missouri Lottery Run For Your Beads 5k.

Register for the Missouri Lottery Run For Your Beads 5k here.

February 4 – Beggin’ Pet Parade

The largest collection of costumed pets in the world gather in Soulard for the Beggin’ Pet Parade, taking place this year on Sunday, February 4.

Read more about the Beggin’ Pet Parade here.

February 4 – Wiener Dog Derby

While you’re out enjoying the Pet Parade, be sure to check out the Wiener Dog Derby as well. Have a dachshund?  Put your dog to the test. 

February 9 – Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball

St. Louis may have a new mayor, but the part will go on the night before the Grand Parade at Saint Louis City Hall rotunda in downtown St. Louis.

The classiest event of the season raises money for the Mardi Gras Foundation to benefit community organizations in Soulard and around the St. Louis area.

If you want to celebrate Mardi Gras in style, you need to be seen at the Mayor’s Ball. 

February 10 – Bud Light Mardi Gras Grand Parade

When people think of Mardi Gras in St. Louis, they are most likely thinking of the Bud Light Grand Parade. It goes down on Saturday February 10 in Soulard.

The parade kicks off at 11 am from Busch Stadium and proceeds south to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Enjoy a full day of music and debauchery in Soulard before and after the parade.

The best way to enjoy Grand Parade Day in Soulard is to buy a pass to an all-inclusive tent. The Bud Light Party Tent is a popular option.

New this year is the Blues Alumni Party Tent. Enjoy the parade from a private, heated tent with food from Syberg’s, an open bar and the company of St. Louis Blues alumni.

Brought to you by Mills Apartments

Ryan

Ryan is a weird dude. He doesn't cook, yet owns a plethora of kitchen gadgets. He rationalized buying a SodaStream while unemployed. He counts Step Up 2: The Streets as one of his favorite movies along with Footloose, Rent, Grease and Paul Blart: Mall Cop. He loves Mizzou but only wants them in the SEC so he can tailgate in Nashville. He owns a ShakeWeight and AbLounger, but still loves him some John Donut and Billie's Fine Foods. You can get more of Ryan at iLoveSoulard.com or just check the stool on the far end of the bar at iTap in Soulard.

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