SOULARD, Mo.— The 44th Soulard Mardi Gras brings up the heart of the order—seven fan-favorite hits for the final two weeks of the season, with the help of 2023’s Grand Marshal and Queen—or “Regina”—of Mardi Gras (and President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Louis CITY SC), Her Majesty Carolyn Kindle. From the Purina Pet Parade on February 12 to the Bud Light Grand Parade on February 18, there is something for everyone at Soulard Mardi Gras.

Soulard’s signature events, a dozen between 12th Night and Fat Tuesday, generate more than $20 million annually for the St. Louis regional economy and make St. Louis one of the largest Mardi Gras outposts in the world. The lineup of remaining events is below. More information and tickets are available at stlmardigras.org.

Family, Fun and Furry Friends Weekend

Saturday, FEB. 11 / SUPPLEMENT SUPERSTORES 5K RUN FOR YOUR BEADS

There is only one race that is as fun-filled, colorful and slightly wacky as Mardi Gras itself: The Supplement Superstores 5K Run for Your Beads. This race embodies the fun and historic scenery of Soulard with mid-race pitstops stocked with beer and hurricanes for legally aged runners. Runners often dress in their best Mardi Gras garb, because winning best costume is nearly as fun as winning the race in their division.

A race always works up an appetite, so after the race, join us for the Taste of Soulard. Sign up now at stlmardigras.org or register at the Bud Light Party Centre (at 9th St. and Lafayette Ave.) at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event.

Starting Time: 9:00 a.m.

Soulard – Starts at 8th St. and Lafayette Ave.

Registration fee: $35 up to Feb. 10, $40 on race day

Saturday, FEB. 11, and Sunday, FEB. 12 / TASTE OF SOULARD

Choose your own culinary adventure with this self-guided tasting and pub crawl through the many Cajun flavors throughout Soulard. Each purchase includes one drink voucher and six food vouchers that can be redeemed at any participating establishment. On Saturday, the world-famous Soulard Trolley Tramps will be shuttling hungry merrymakers to restaurants throughout the neighborhood.

Taste booklets are available at stlmardigras.org and available at any participating Taste of Soulard establishment on Feb. 11 and 12.

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day

Soulard Neighborhood

Booklets: $35

Sunday, FEB. 12 / PURINA PET PARADE

The Purina Pet Parade is a Guinness Book of World Records holder, the largest collection of costumed dogs in the world. Some 1,500 pets—that’s 6,000 paws!

Register your furry friend online or on the day of the event at 12th and Allen so you both can strut your stuff in style. The best-dressed pets will be selected as members of the Court of the Mystical Krewe of Barkus and will be invited to the Coronation Pageant at Soulard Market Park where the King and Queen of Barkus will be crowned.

All proceeds from the Purina Pet Parade will go to benefit Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a no-kill shelter.

Registration: 10:00 a.m., Parade: 1:00 p.m.

Begins at 12th St. and Allen Ave.

Registration Fee: $10 donation

Free for spectators to watch the parade

Sunday, FEB. 12 / TITO’S VODKA WIENER DOG DERBY

The fun doesn’t end with the Pet Parade! Just after that world record-holding event wraps up, the nation’s longest-running wiener dog derby takes center stage at Horseshoe Casino Stadium at Soulard Market Plaza. Whose pup is the dashingest dachshund in all the realm? Only the running of the Derby will tell.

Known as “the slowest two minutes in sports racing,” the six-dog elimination heats racing down a 30-foot track will each crown a winning wiener, who trots on to the next round until a champion is crowned.

Size doesn’t matter, so race classes are based on age:

• Cocktail Wieners: Up to 4 years old

• Hot Dogs: 4 to 8 years old

• Ball Park Franks: 8 years and older

• Wiener Wannabe: Dogs small enough to fit in the starting box (OK, so size matters a little)

New this year, the event will include an official Super Bowl predictor race. Pooches Eagle and Chief, our two Super Bowl Philly and KC hounds, will be racing for the Wiener version of the Lombardi trophy at the Super Bowl 1 Wiener Dog Championship race. The race between the two rivals is set for 3:00 p.m. Tune in before the race for some dog-on-the-track interviews with both Eagle and Chief.

Register online at stlmardigras.org and hit the ground running on race day or register on race day. 

All proceeds from the Tito’s Wiener Dog Derby go to benefit Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a no-kill shelter.

Registration: Opens at 10:00 a.m.

Opening Ceremonies: 1:45 pm or shortly after the Purina Pet Parade end

First Heat: 2:00 p.m.

NEW! - Super Bowl Predictor Race: 3:00 p.m.

Horseshoe Casino Stadium in Soulard Market Park

Entry Fee: $10 donation

Free for spectators

Grand Parade Weekend

Friday, FEB. 17 / MAYOR’S MARDI GRAS BALL

The Mayor’s Ball, which ALIVE Magazine and the Riverfront Times have called the “social event of the season,” is a must-attend gala that combines the elegance of the setting with the striking visuals of Mardi Gras. It features fine cuisine, cocktails, dancing, and entertainment ranging from traditional to spectacular, including live music from one of St. Louis’s most popular cover bands, Dirty Muggs.

The 21st Mayor’s Ball will once again grace the Midway at St. Louis Union Station. With its soaring glass roof, brick arches, and spacious atrium, the Midway provides a spectacular venue—especially when given the Mayor’s Ball design and production treatment.

This charitable event is hosted by the Mardi Gras Foundation, and proceeds benefit Community Improvement Grants. The Ball has enabled $600,000 in grants to Soulard and Downtown. Tickets are available at stlmardigras.org.

Time: 7:00 pm to Midnight

The Midway at St. Louis Union Station

Admission: $150 and Up

New this year, Friday, FEB. 17 / THE OFFICIAL MAYOR’S BALL AFTER PARTY

After you party at the Mayor’s Ball, continue the fun at the first-ever Mayor’s Ball Mardi Gras After Party! Proceeds from After Party ticket sales benefit STL College Kids, a non-profit helping St. Louis students pay for college. Tickets are available online.

Time: 10:00 p.m.– 2:00 a.m.

City Hall Rotunda

Admission: $75 and Up

Saturday, FEB. 18 / BUD LIGHT GRAND PARADE

What started as a two-block march up Russell Blvd. in 1980 is now the event of the season, and one of the biggest Mardi Gras parades in the nation. The Bud Light Grand Parade is a dazzling show of scores of floats, marching and riding Krewes, throwing more than 15 million beads along a route from Busch Stadium to the Anheuser-Busch brewery.

Parade Starts: 11:00 a.m.

Soulard Neighborhood

Theme: That’s Entertainment!

Free Event

Saturday, FEB. 18 / BUD LIGHT PARTY TENT

You shouldn’t have to choose between being along the parade route, warming up from the cold, a dance floor with body-moving beats, a restroom without a line and being able to grab a drink whenever you need one. 

That’s why the all-inclusive Bud Light Party Tent is the place to be for over 8 hours of beer, beats, beads, and booze in a climate-controlled tent. You get more Mardi Gras for your money here, including:

• Fully stocked open bar with Bud Light, plus premium spirits

• Live music from musical duo LOCASH

• Cajun lunch buffet

• Heated tents one block from the Bud Light Grand Parade route

• Unlimited re-entry

• Private restrooms

• FREE BEADS!

Saturday, February 18: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Bud Light Party Centre in Soulard Market Park

Tent Admission: $145

Saturday, FEB. 18 / BLUES ALUMNI EXPERIENCE

If you ever wanted to rub elbows with Blues legends at St. Louis’ biggest party, then we have exactly what you’re looking for. At the Blues Alumni Party Tent, your all-inclusive pass lets you hang out with some of the best to ever don the Blue Note in a climate-controlled tent right on the parade route.

An all-inclusive Blues Alumni Party Tent pass includes:

• Lunch buffet, open bar with beer and cocktails

• NSFW story time with Blues legends

• Front-row view of the Bud Light Grand Parade

Saturday, February 18: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Tent Admission: $145

Saturday, FEB. 18 / RUE DU CIRQUE

The fun doesn’t have to stop at the Bud Light Grand Parade. Join us at the post-parade Rue du Cirque street party and play games, smash world records, and win prizes! All afternoon long, we’ll be partying with our street party emcee and live music.

Saturday, February 18: 1:00 p.m. (or after the Grand Parade, whichever is later) – 5:00 p.m.

South 7th St. (the Grand Parade route) between Geyer Ave. and Allen Ave.

Free Event