Let the good times roll: Celebrate Mardi Gras 2026 in the Bay Area

Celebrate Mardi Gras in the Bay Area (adrianabeckova90 / 500px/Getty Images/500px)

During New Orleans' festival season, "Laissez les bons temps rouler" isn't just a phrase - it's a promise. But you don't have to be in Louisiana to "Let the good times roll."

"Mardi Gras," which translates to "Fat Tuesday," is a perfect time to really indulge, as it occurs the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lenten austerity. This year, the celebration falls on Tuesday, Feb. 17, so order up the po'boy sandwiches and hush puppies, secure a delicious king cake and get your krewe together.

Check out the Chronicle's guide to the best local parades and parties celebrating Mardi Gras 2026.

Grace Cathedral's ‘Noite de Carnaval: A Celebration of Joy'

Celebrate Carnival with a gala and after-party in the cathedral. This year's Mardi Gras event is inspired by the traditions of Brazilian Carnaval and its expression of connection, community, and creativity, honoring our shared humanity. It's scheduled to include a cocktail reception, dinner, an auction and live music. The ‘Late Night Bloco' after-party is scheduled to include live DJ sets from the Chris Clouse Project, sweet and savory bites, an open bar, and more.

MJ's Brass Bopper's saxophonist Al Lazard performs during a past Mardi Gras in San Francisco. (Jessica Christian/The Chronicle)

Join NorthStar Cafe and Tupelo for its annual second line parade with live music from MJ's Brass Boppers. The route will begin at NorthStar and weave through North Beach at 3:30 p.m. It will end at Tupelo, where the band will perform a set inside and a creole-style supper will be served. Tickets include drink specials, live music and food.

1:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $20. NorthStar Cafe, 1560 Powell St., S.F and Tupelo, 1337 Grant Ave., S.F. 415-981-9177. www.mjsbrassboppersband.com

Community neighbor Deborah Bolton Lampkin raises her hand as she dances along to the MJ Brass Bopper Band's music during a community Mardi Gras celebration in San Francisco. (Jessica Christian/The Chronicle)

Celebrate the music of Mardi Gras and Carnaval, blending Louisiana's musical heritage and Caribbean traditions and with Michelle Jacques, aka Chelle, and Friends. Delve into a program featuring music from New Orleans to coastal Venezuela, featuring guest performers from the Venezuelan Music Project.

Bayview Mardi Gras Celebration

Join a Civic Joy Fund sponsored Fat Tuesday party on Third Street, led by the Gumbo Band second-line brass ensemble, with live entertainment, dancing and a New Orleans-festival style menu.

MJ's Brass Boppers lead off the performances during a past Fat Tuesday parade through the Mission district in San Francisco. (Brittany Murphy/The Chronicle)

Parade through the streets of Berkeley for a Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday procession with stops for live entertainment, community activations and ending with live music at Purple House, 5716 Genoa St.

Noon-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17. Free. San Pablo Park, 2800 Park St., Berkeley.

Carnaval San Francisco's Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Celebration

Hang out with neighbors and friends at a party set to happen in the streets and establishments around historic Calle 24, in the heart of the Mission District. Kick off the start of Carnaval S.F. season enjoying live music, drumming and samba dance performances and community spirit. Mardi Gras costumes encouraged.

5-10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17. Free. Various Mission District venues including Arcana, 2512 Mission St.; the Makeout Room, 3225 22nd St.; Kimbara Ritmo y Sabor, 3380 19th St. and Casements Bar, 2351 Mission St., S.F. www.carnavalsanfrancisco.org

20th Annual Mardi Gras San Francisco Style

Celebrate Fat Tuesday in the Fillmore with a New Orleans-style street festival and masquerade ball. The event will feature children's activities, artists and live blues at Fillmore Center Plaza. The festivities begin with a parade down the Fillmore Corridor, starting at 5 p.m., kicked off by a second line band and followed by a community blues concert with performances from Cherronda G and Tebo.

Petaluma Music Festival's Mardi Gras

Enjoy live music from North Bay-based traditional New Orleans second line music ensemble the King Street Giants, food trucks and fresh beer.

Mardi Gras Party with Medicine Ball

Mardi Gras Mambofest at the Mystic

Enjoy a night of live music, dancing, food, drinks and Mardi Gras magic beginning with a second line band leading a parade up to the classic downtown Petaluma theater. Rhythmtown-Jive and guest artists including The California Honeydrops' Johnny Bones, Beau Beaullieu and members of Big Bang Beat are set to perform throughout the evening.

Cyril Neville will perform as part of a Mardi Gras-themed program on Feb. 17 at The Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. (The Freight and Salvage)

The multiple Grammy Award-winning musician will present a Mardi Gras-themed program featuring Omari Neville and the Fuel and King Youngblood.

Woodchoppers Mardi Gras Swing Dance Party with Hot Baked Goods

A Bay Area band of swing dancing jazz musicians are set to perform a program of hot tunes from the 1920s and '30s for this week's installation of the historic swing dance event.

Fat Tuesday Party with Aux Cajunals

Dance to live Cajun and zydeco music featuring fiddlers Suzy Thompson and Agi Ban, guitarists Eric Thompson and Mark Marcin, bassist Allegra Thompson and drummer Michaelle Goerlitz. Tom Rigney and Flambeau are scheduled to perform after, with live Cajun and zydeco two-steps, blues and funky New Orleans grooves. Carnival-themed costumes, Mardi Gras beads and accessories encouraged.

The Woodchopper's Ball, a weekly Tuesday night swing dance event is held at the historic Verdi Club in San Francisco, on October 15, 2025. (Lizzy Montana Myers/For the S.F. Chronicle)

Join a Mardi Gras dance party with the Grammy Award-winning New Orleans brass band and live DJ sets. Enjoy more live music, dinner specials, gumbo, king cake, Mardi Gras drinks, beads and expedited entry to the 8 p.m. party, with reservations starting at 5:30 p.m. at the onsite restaurant/bar, Curio.

Mardi Gras Burlesque & Drag Show

Enjoy a New Orleans–inspired evening with live burlesque, music and drag performances, a Cajun cuisine buffet and more.

San Jose Mardi Gras Ball

Celebrate Mardi Gras as they do in New Orleans, with a night of Big Easy-style dancing and merry making. Come decked out in purple, green and gold for a costume contest and enjoy dancing on the venue's original 1929 hardwood floors to live jazz led by Clint Baker.

A piece of Mardi Gras king cake awaits hungry revelers. (Liz Hafalia/Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle)

Let the good times roll with a Mardi Gras-themed party featuring live performances from locally adored musicians April and Monroe Grisman with Allyson Paige, Loralee Christensen, Eric McCann, Rob Hooper and Raleigh Neal. Guest artists are set to include Ben Jacobs, Liberty Ellman, Amber Morris, Ryann Swan Morris, Tal Morris, Josh Zee, John Varn and Tom Finch.

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