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Historians tell us Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility in Rome. The celebrations had parades, lots of eating and even more drinking.
Over the years, the celebration of spring became the traditional prelude to Lent which was 40 days of fasting and sacrifice. The French later dubbed the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday Mardi Gras, which translates to Fat Tuesday.
The French founded St. Louis. The city hosts over a month of celebrations. The French Soulard neighborhood hosts the Bud Light Grand Parade. St. Louis claims it’s the second largest Mardi Parade in the United States, second only to Bourbon Street. Their Grand Parade features over 100 floats.
In the 1790s, a refugee from the French Revolution settled in what is now St. Louis. His name was Antoine Soulard. Soulard translates to drunkard.
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Let the good times roll
It is said that St. Louis’ Mardi Gras began in 1979 with a group of drunk friends. They were walking the streets of Soulard tossing beads to make their own fun before Lent began.
In 2024, over 400,000 people are expected to come to St. Louis’ Mardi Gras celebrations and 20 million strands of beads will be tossed into the crowds. Here are just some of the parties, parades and celebrations.
Cajun Cook Off
Bud Light Party Center will be hosting the Cajun Cook Off on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 12 pm to 4 pm. Admission price is $70.
Amateur chefs from the greater St. Louis area prepare their best dishes for a panel of judges.
Your ticket includes
- Open Bar
- Live Music
5K Run For Your Beads
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 9 am, you can see a fun-filled, slightly wacky race. The 5K Run For Your Beads has runners in Mardi Gras garb racing through the streets of Soulard. There will be mid-race pit stops stocked with beer and hurricanes for 21+ aged runners. Prizes will be given to the winners in each division plus a prize for the runner in the best costume.
Taste Of Soulard
The Taste of Soulard is a self guided tasting and pub crawl through the Soulard neighborhood. Your ticket will include 1 drink voucher and 6 food vouchers that can be redeemed at any of the participating venues in Soulard on February 22 and 23, 2025, from 11 am to 5 pm. On Saturday, Soulard Trolley Tramps will be shuffling party goers to restaurants throughout the neighborhood. You’ll hear some tall tales about the history of Soulard from the World Famous Trolley Tram drivers.
The Purina Pet Parade
The Purina Pet Parade is the largest costumed pet parade on the planet. It’s happening on Sunday, February 23, 2025. It begins at the corner of 12th and Allen at 1 pm.
You and your adorable pet can strut your stuff in this parade, The best dressed pets will be selected as members of the Court of the Mystical Krewe of Barkus. The Coronation Pageant will take place at Soulard Market Park where the King and Queen of Soulard will be crowned.
All proceeds from the parade will go to benefit Open Door Animal Shelter.
Tito’s Vodka Wiener Dog Derby
Tito’s Vodka Wiener Dog Derby is happening on Sunday, February 23, 2025, and the first heat will begin at 2 pm. This is the nation’s longest running dachshund derby!
In a series of elimination heats, the dogs race down a 30 foot track with the winner moving on to the next round until a champion is crowned. There are 3 age based divisions for the dachshunds. There is also a Wiener Wannabe class for dogs small enough to fit in the starting box.
There will be a Tito’s Wiener Dog Derby hat contest for humans.
The Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball
“…the social event of the season…” – Riverfront Times
The Mayor’s Ball will take place at Anheuser Busch Tour Center on Friday, Friday, February 28, 2025, at 7 pm. It will feature fine cuisine, cocktails, dancing and spectacular entertainment. It has been described as a “classy affair.”
Bud Light Grand Parade
All of the celebrations have been leading up to the Bud Light Grand Parade on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 11 am. It begins at Busch Stadium and goes through the streets of Downtown South and Soulard and ends with a big bash at Anheiser Busch Brewery. You’ll see beautiful floats, elaborately costumed marchers, dancers, bands and beads, beads and more beads.
Food
An integral part of Mardi Gras is the enjoyment of great food. Try these restaurants in the Soulard neighborhood. They were chosen as the 7 Best Restaurants by the users of TripAdvisor.
- John J. McGurk’s Irish Pub
- Bogart’s Smokehouse
- Tucker’s Place Soulard
- Hammerstone’s
- 1860 Saloon, Game Room & Hardshell Café
- Carson’s Sports Bar & Restaurant
- Patty Long Catering
Hotels
If you’d like to visit St. Louis to enjoy the Mardi Gras festivities, you should consider the following hotels. They’re located near the festivities and you can get discounted prices for these hotels here.
- DoubleTree by Hilton St. Louis Westport – 42% Discount
- Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark – 31% Discount
- DoubleTree by Hilton Collinsville – St. Louis – 28% Discount
- The Charles F. Knight – 28% Discount
- Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton – 25% Discount
- Best Western St. Louis Fairview Heights – 25% Discount
- Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel – 23% Discount
- Hotelumiere Suites & Casino – 21% Discount
- Courtyard St. Louis Downtown Convention Center – 19% Discount
- Holiday Inn Express St. Louis Central West End – 18% Discount
- Courtyard St. Louis Brentwood – 17% Discount
- Marriott St. Louis Airport – 16% Discount
- Holiday Inn St. Louis – Downtown – Convention Center – 16% Discount
- Courtyard by Marriott St. Louis Downtown – 16% Discount
- Americas Best Value St. Louis Downtown – 15% Discount
- Hotel Lumiere Place – 15% Discount