Best Mardi Gras Parties & Events In Los Angeles
While thousands of revelers will be partying it up in New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year, locals in Los Angeles will join in by honoring the colorful festival at various restaurants and bars in the area. Also known as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, which always falls on the day before Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), is the last day of the Carnival season. LA's NOLA-inspired establishments are hosting Mardi Gras parties, special dinner menus, live music performances, parades and festivities complete with Creole and Cajun traditions. From jambalaya, crawfish and po'boys to hushpuppies, beignets and Hurricane cocktails, these are the hot spot restaurants and bars to be at on Mardi Gras
8th Annual Long Beach Mardi Gras Parade & Festival
Shoreline Village Drive
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 435-2668
www.shorelinevillage.com
Date: February 25, 2017
Bring your crowns, beads and masks to the Shoreline Village and Rainbow Harbor Mardi Gras parade and celebration. On Saturday, February 25 from 9am to 9pm, families and friends gather for an afternoon festival consisting of NOLA cuisine, live entertainment and a parade at 3pm. The parade showcases local dancers, stilt walkers, musicians and participation is free.
Mardi Gras Masquerade Party
Downtown Santa Monica
www.eventbrite.com
Date: March 11, 2017 at 8:30pm
Come on down to downtown Santa Monica and celebrate Mardi Gras with delicious cuisine, tasty cocktails and tons of culture. Masquerade masks will be provided and are required at the event. Chefs from New Orleans, including Kate H will present her best NOLA recipes from her hometown, including meat pies, gumbo, and more. Then, sip on drinks from NOLA mixology stations, including French 75's, Vieux Carre and more.
'SoCal Mardi Gras Celebration
23552 Commerce Center Drive
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
www.eventbrite.com
Date: February 28, 2017
Celebrate this French Quarter tradition by attending this delicious 5 course dinner hosted by Haute Productions. A tasty food menu with New Orleans style food will be served and paired with a complimentary wine pairing by Chef Keith Prante.
ix Tapa Cantina
ix Tapa Cantina
119 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91103
www.cantinaixtapa.com
Date: February 28, 2017 from 5pm - 8pm
Celebrate Fat Tuesday this year by visiting Pasadena's ix Tapa Cantina. This Mardi Gras Mambo themed party and happy hour will support non profits in Louisiana and while there is no cost to get in, you'll need to RSVP to get VIP treatment at the door. The event will feature Mardi Gras music, masks and beads, and guests will be able to celebrate with drinks and appetizers. The event is hosted by Louisiana natives Shanna Forrestall and Gary Ybarra.
Preux & Proper
840 S. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 896-0090
www.preuxandproper.com
Preux & Proper is the perfect place to visit on Fat Tuesday. Guests can start off the celebration with traditional frozen daiquiris served from the open-air frozen daiquiri bar, which is inspired by drinking in the French Quarter. The Preux Mardi Gras fete menu also includes classic NOLA fare including fried oyster po'boys made with Leidenheimer bakery pistolettes and Pop's slaw. Preux's freshly made blue crab hushpuppies and the jambalaya biscuit pizza topped with Gulf shrimps and pulled chicken created with blue crab are perfect for sharing with your squad. Music and drink specials will be the main attraction upstairs in Proper. What more would you expect from a New Orleans' based bar in Southern California?
Related: Best Cocktail Bars In Los Angeles
28th Annual Mardi Gras At Farmers Market
The Original Farmers Market
6333 W. 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 933-9211
www.farmersmarketla.com
Date: February 25 & 26, 2017 and February 28, 2017
Los Angeles' favorite Mardi Gras celebration is back again for their 28th straight year! The world-famous Farmers Market is pulling out all the stops in its quest to put on one of the largest Mardi Gras festivals in the L.A. region. In a three-day, family-friendly celebration, revelers will be treated to live music, arts and crafts, roving New Orleans-style bands and some of the best selections of gut-filling meals west of the muddy Mississippi. With tons of restaurants and grocers, this buzzing marketplace is a prime destination for foodies in search of such palate-pleasing ethnic cuisine as yummy gumbo and divine jambalaya, among other guilty pleasures. The event will also feature the finest New Orleans and Zydeco music, a strolling parade with bands, as well as activities for kids, bead-throwing, and much more!
