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Mardi Gras in St. Louis: How to Celebrate Soulard Style

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Photo Credit: Explore St. Louis

Mardi Gras in St. Louis is one of the country’s biggest parties. Thousands of people fill the historic French neighborhood, Soulard, and enjoy an array of events over the course of several weeks, ranging from scavenger hunts and a 5K run to a wiener dog derby and pet parade. And of course – colorful beads and adult beverages are a key component of the big celebration. This guide highlights what to expect and provides recommendations for where to eat and stay so your Soulard Mardi Gras experience is one for the books – Laissez les bon temps rouler!

A green and yellow float drives down the street at the parade. There are people on top of the float, smiling and laughing as they throw Mardi Gras beads at the crowd.
Attend the parade and catch as many beads as you can! Soulard Mardi Gras is a fun celebration you don’t want to miss. Credit: Explore St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Origins

While Mardi Gras is often linked to New Orleans, Soulard Mardi Gras has earned a notable reputation as well. Since 1980, this French-settled community has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors each year. It started out modestly, with five young men who had big plans and a small budget of $1,250. The group managed to host the first Soulard Mardi Gras, drawing a crowd of 200 attendees. The night concluded with marching through the streets, to a local Irish Pub, as trombones and horns filled the sky with festive music. From there, the rest is history, and Soulard is now known as one of the most popular Mardi Gras celebrations nationwide.  

What to Expect and Know

Arrive Prepared

  • Be sure to arrive early! As you can imagine, the streets fill up quickly.
  • Driving is not recommended. Book a shuttle, taxi or ride-share service.
  • There are thousands of portable restrooms throughout the area, so be sure to pack hand sanitizer in your bag.
  • Missouri weather can change from one day to the next (or even from one hour to the next!), so plan for rain or shine and wear shoes that are comfortable.
A person hands out Mardi Gras beads while marching through Soulard's neighborhood steets. Everyone is laughing and smiling.
Collect beads and memories at Mardi Gras in Soulard! Credit: Explore St. Louis

Major Mardi Gras Events in Soulard

Family Winter Carnival, Jan. 18

A free and family friendly event, this carnival features arts and crafts projects, performers, face painters, balloon artists and more. Kids can make their own mask, cape, crown, and noise maker to wear in the Children’s Parade at 3:00 p.m.

Fords Gin Scavenger Hunt, Feb. 8

If you’re going to explore Soulard, you might as well make it a competition! Solve riddles to reveal the next establishment on the hunt, where your team will then answer trivia questions and perform challenges. The group with the most points receives a prize and can revel in their victory at the Post-Hunt Award Ceremony.

Cajun Cook-Off, Feb. 15

The Cajun Cook-Off is a competition between talented amateur chefs from the surrounding region. The chefs will prepare their dishes for a panel of judges while you enjoy a traditional Cajun lunch with an open bar and live music.

Taste of Soulard, Feb. 22 – 23

Experience some of the best flavors of the neighborhood on a self-guided restaurant and pub crawl through Soulard. Each pass includes one drink voucher and six food vouchers that can be redeemed at any of the participating establishments.

Tito’s Vodka Wiener Dog Derby, Feb. 23

Is your dashing dachshund ready for race day? Watch wiener dogs sprint down a 30-foot track to earn the title of fastest weenie in the city. While the race is only for pups, humans can compete in the best hat contest.

Purina Pet Parade, Feb. 23

Holding the Guinness World Record Holder for the biggest costumed pet parade, the Purina Pet Parade is an adorable display of four-legged furry friends who put on their best strut throughout the streets of Soulard. The event concludes with a Coronation Pageant, where the best-dressed pets serve on the Court of the Mystical Krewe of Barkus and the King and Queen of Barkus will be crowned.

Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball, Feb. 28

Choose your favorite gown or tuxedo and prepare yourself for an evening of fine dining and elegance. Featuring live entertainment, an open bar, circus performers aerialists and stilt walkers, and so much more, this must-attend gala is the “social event of the season.”

Bud Light Grand Parade, March 1

Join thousands of people at one of the biggest Mardi Gras parades in the country and the main event of the Soulard celebration. The party begins at Busch Stadium and proceeds through the streets of Downtown South and Soulard all the way to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. 

A dog is dressed in a green, yellow and purple outfit and wears a purple crown as winner of the Purina Pet Parade.
Some people attend for the food, some attend for the beads, while most attend for the adorable dogs. Be sure to catch the Purina Pet Parade! Credit: Explore St. Louis

Places to Eat

A tin serving bucket is filled to the brim with boiled crawfish. It's topped with lemon and has lemon garlic butter on the side for dipping.
Try the mouthwatering boiled crawfish at the Broadway Oyster Bar. You’ll be saying “Ça c’est bon” before you know it!
  • Broadway Oyster Bar – You have to try the po’ boy at Broadway Oyster Bar. The restaurant imports fresh-baked bread from Gambino’s in New Orleans for their po’boys, made with shrimp, oysters, catfish or crawfish.
  • Hammerstone’s on 9th – Playing live music every night of the week, this blues café and bar has a lively atmosphere and serves up traditional options, and crowd-favorites like chicken tenders with a corn flake tossing and Saint Louis style pizza.
  • Molly’s in Soulard – Known for its massive patio, lively energy and distinct dishes like alligator Rangoon and Cajun-fried deviled eggs, Molly’s is a popular spot during Mardi Gras in Soulard.
  • Sister Cities Cajun – Try the delicious, made-from-scratch Cajun fare at Sister Cities Cajun, where award-winning cheesy shrimp & grits cakes are worth the visit alone. The restaurant also serves fresh-squeezed hurricanes and has a great selection of craft beer.

Places to Stay

  • Hotel Indigo, Downtown St. Louis – Hotel Indigo is an upscale boutique hotel, conveniently located to nearby attractions, including Busch Stadium and the St. Louis Zoo. Its gorgeous suites have modern décor, spa-inspired bathrooms and large windows with a view of the city. 
  • Moonrise Hotel – Combining modern design with an old-style lunar theme, Moonrise Hotel offers comfortable accommodations in a quirky, sophisticated way. The hotel’s lobby has ever-changing iridescent walls, a lighted staircase, and display cases featuring lunar toys, jewelry, figurines and more. It is in one of St. Louis’s most vibrant and entertaining districts, so there’s fun around every corner!
A person walks with their dogs down stairs that are lit up with pink and purple hues at the Moonrise Hotel. The word "Eclipse" is etched into glass on the back wall, and the decor is a mixture of pastel colors, and the atmosphere is cozy with soft lighting.
The Moonrise Hotel is relaxing and welcoming – not just for you, but for your furry friend as well.
  • St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton – The 1894 St. Louis Union Station was once one of the busiest rail terminals in the world. Today, it’s home to this state-of-the-art hotel. The architecture itself is eye-catching, including beautiful archways and intricate décor throughout the main lobby. In addition to the hotel, Union Station provides family friendly activities like the St. Louis Aquarium, St. Louis Wheel and a stunning 3D light show in the Grand Hall.
  • The Last Hotel – This boutique hotel is a reimagining of the former International Shoe Company building in the heart of St. Louis’s Garment District. The cozy rooms are decorated with eclectic-chic décor, and there is also a rooftop pool and lounge – the perfect want to end a day celebrating Mardi Gras in St. Louis!

History of Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras traces its roots back to the ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia, which were traditionally held in December and February. The boisterous festivals celebrated fertility and the upcoming spring. After Christianity became the state religion of Rome, it is believed church leaders found it easier to include the popular pagan traditions in the new faith instead of banning them.

Today, Mardi Gras is a last hurrah for people to eat, drink and cavort before the start of Lent, a period of time traditionally marked by fasting and abstinence. While many places throughout the world celebrate Mardi Gras, the festivities in St. Louis are among the largest. So whether you’re celebrating for religious reasons or because you enjoy jovial festivities, be safe and enjoy making your Soulard Mardi Gras memories!