You've probably heard the rumors. People love to say New Orleans owns Carnival, but if you want the real story, you have to look at Mobile. It’s the oldest. Honestly, it’s also a lot more chill for families, though don’t let that fool you—the parties get wild enough.
The mobile mardi gras parade schedule 2025 is a massive, winding beast of a calendar. It isn't just one day. It isn't even just one week. We are talking about a marathon of moonpies and beads that kicks off weeks before Fat Tuesday actually hits on March 4th.
If you show up on the wrong day, you’re just standing on a quiet street corner in Alabama. Nobody wants that.
The Early Birds: February Kickoffs
The season actually starts breathing in late January, but the heavy hitters show up in mid-February. On Friday, February 14—yeah, Valentine's Day—the Condé Cavaliers take over Route A at 6:30 p.m. It’s a classic move. While the rest of the country is doing candlelit dinners, Mobilians are dodging plastic beads and screaming for stuffed animals.
Saturday, February 15, is a double-header day. You've got the Bayport Parading Society hitting the pavement at 2:00 p.m., followed by the Pharaohs and Condé Explorers later that evening.
The schedule is built on "Mystic Societies." These are secret groups. Some are centuries old. They spend all year building these floats just to throw snacks at you for three hours. It's beautiful.
Why the Route Matters
Most parades in Mobile run on Route A. If you hear someone say "the standard route," that’s what they mean. It starts at the Civic Center, loops through Government Street, and winds back around.
But watch out.
Some krewes, like the Maids of Mirth on February 22, use Route G. Others, like the Mystics of Time, use Route H. If you're parked on the wrong block, you'll hear the sirens and the bands, but you won't see a single float.
The Mid-Season Grind
By the time we hit Thursday, February 20, the city is basically in a trance.
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- Order of Polka Dots: Feb 20, 6:30 p.m. (Route A)
- Order of Inca: Feb 21, 6:30 p.m. (Route A)
- Mobile Mystics: Feb 22, 1:00 p.m. (Route A)
The Order of Inca is usually a crowd favorite because their themes are elaborate. You’ll see a lot of gold. A lot of feathers. It’s the Friday night vibe that really sets the tone for the big weekend.
Joe Cain Day: The People's Parade
Sunday, March 2, is the big one. This is Joe Cain Day.
Who is Joe Cain? He’s the guy who basically brought Mardi Gras back to life after the Civil War. He dressed up as a fictional Chickasaw Chief named "Old Slacabamorinico" and paraded through the streets in a charcoal wagon.
Today, the Joe Cain Procession starts at 2:30 p.m. on Route A. It is famously known as the "People's Parade" because it feels a bit more grassroots and rowdy than the others. You’ll see the "Merry Widows" wailing over Joe’s grave at the Church Street Cemetery earlier in the morning. It’s theater. It’s history. It’s weird.
The Grand Finale: Lundi Gras and Fat Tuesday
Monday, March 3 (Lundi Gras), is when things get serious. King Felix III arrives at 11:00 a.m. at Cooper Riverside Park. The Infant Mystics roll that night at 6:30 p.m. on Route F.
Then comes the main event. March 4, 2025. Fat Tuesday.
The schedule for the final day is packed:
- Order of Athena: 10:30 a.m. (Route A)
- Knights of Revelry: 12:30 p.m. (Route A)
- King Felix III Parade: 1:00 p.m. (Route A)
- Comic Cowboys: 1:30 p.m. (Route A)
- MAMGA Mammoth Parade: 2:00 p.m. (Route B)
- Order of Myths: 6:00 p.m. (Route C)
The Order of Myths is the final parade of the season. They’ve been doing this since 1867. Look for the emblem float—it features "Death" and "Folly" fighting around a broken column. Death is trying to hit Folly with a club; Folly is hitting back with inflated pig bladders.
When that parade ends, the season is dead. Lent starts. The party's over.
Surviving the Mobile Streets
Parking is a nightmare. Let's be real. If you see a purple and gold sign that says "No Parking," they are not joking. They will tow your car faster than you can say "MoonPie."
The city sets up a temporary impound lot under the I-10 overpass. Don't end up there.
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Bring a bag. A big one. You might think you don't want 400 strings of cheap plastic beads, but when they're flying at your face, your lizard brain takes over and you'll want all of them. Also, keep an eye out for the MoonPies. Mobile is the only place where getting hit in the head with a chocolate-covered marshmallow snack is considered a blessing.
Important Logistics for 2025
- The Colors: It’s Purple and Gold. In New Orleans, they use Green, too. In Mobile? Not so much. Stick to the classics.
- Safety: If you lose a kid, find a cop. They have a "Lost Children" station at the Central Precinct on Water Street. Pro tip: Write your phone number on your kid's arm with a Sharpie.
- The Throws: You’ll catch ramen noodles, Conecuh sausage, and occasionally a whole head of cabbage. It’s a grocery run with better music.
The mobile mardi gras parade schedule 2025 is more than just a list of times; it’s a living map of the city’s soul. Whether you’re there for the high-society glamour of the King Felix court or the chaotic energy of the Comic Cowboys and their satirical signs, there’s no wrong way to do it. Just show up early, stay behind the barricades, and for the love of everything, don't throw the beads back at the floats.
To make the most of your trip, download a PDF of the official city route map and save it to your phone. Cell service gets spotty when 100,000 people are all trying to post TikToks on the same street corner. Plan your parking at least three blocks away from the route, and carry cash for the street vendors selling those giant turkey legs.