Beaufort’s Waterfront Mardi Gras Festival is a weekend celebration with feasts, parades, costumes, masks, and revelry.

Highlights will include a Masquerade Ball, Parade and Street Carnival, and the Sinner’s Remorse Brunch.

Schedule of Events:

March 1, 2025

11am to 4pm: Street Carnival

New Orleans-Inspired Food, Drink & Live Music!

Enjoy an afternoon carnival filled with Cajun food and live music! Local restaurants will offer Traditional Cajun or Creole cuisine at their food booths up and down Middle Lane and on Front Street and John Newton Park. It is the place for festivalgoers to enjoy Mardi Gras standards like gumbo, smoked sausages, barbecue, shrimp, po’boys, muffuletta, jambalaya, and the popular king cakes. Special beers, Hurricanes, and a New-Orleans-inspired Bourbon Street Punch will be available. The Beer Garden with food truck cuisine will be at the Craven Street parking lot.

Children’s Activities!

Bring the kids along for family activities including balloon art, face painting and mask making experiences under the tent in the Kid’s Area at the Beaufort Historic Site.

Be sure to look for the roaming street performers including stilt walkers, jugglers, balloon twisters, and face painters. These carnival themed entertainers on Front Street and Middle Lane will add to the festive atmosphere.

Artists & Vendors!

Stroll through the outdoor arts tents showcasing an exhibition of outstanding fine art.

Parade and Street Carnival, 11 am – 4 pm. Free admission.

Cajun Cookoff Competition and Tasting!

Don’t miss your opportunity to sample Classic New Orleanian-style gumbo, jambalaya, king cake and beignets. Amateur and professional cooks will participate in the Gumbo Competition and Tasting. The competition is guaranteed to be fun and exciting, and rewarding for our contestants! Professional and amateur cooks will be judged head to head, and the winners will be announced during the festival. The event starts at Noon and takes place under the tent in at the Beaufort Historic Site on Turner  Street. Tickets are $50 per person and include choice of  beer or wine. Cajun Competition & Tasting, 12-1 pm. Ticket Event.  

Click Here to Cajun Cookoff Tickets

6-10PM: Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball

Step into a world of mystery and glamour at our enchanting masquerade ball!  Dance beneath the glittering lights of a clear top tent on Beaufort’s exquisite waterfront to a symphony of music.  Surrounded by a culinary journey provided by Seaside Sensations and  Beaufort Grocery with a feast of delectable delights, from gourmet hors d’oeuvres to decadent desserts. As you savor the flavors, immerse yourself in a world of enchanting entertainment. From music by Phantom Playboys that sets the perfect tone to mesmerizing performances  by Dakota Fox Entertainment that unfold like a story, the night promises to be a symphony for the senses. Get ready for a night of magic, intrigue, and memories.  

Ticket includes:  All beverages including Beer, Wine and Spirits, Entertainment, Food Stations and More!   

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3pm: Mardi Gras Parade

The crowds fill the parade route on Front Street and on Turner Street in anticipation of the parade starting at 3 p.m. sharp, with the crowning of the Mardi Gras King and Queen.

Beaufort’s Mardi Gras Celebration is a true display of Beaufort’s quirkiness. The parade of “krewes” in costume tossing jewelry and charms is something to see. The Sweet Potato Queens always steal the show! The group of women aged 40-70, all dress in elaborate costumes and perform choreographed routines.

New Parade Route: The parade starts at Gordon Street on Front Street and proceeds west on Front Street to right on Turner Street – continues on Turner Street towards the Court House .Pedestrians only can turn onto Middle Lane

Parade “krewe” entry fee is $50.00

Click here to Enter your "krewe"

March 2, 2025

11am: Sinner’s Remorse Brunch

Elevate your brunch experience with a Mardi Gras twist! Join us for a vibrant celebration where the flavors of New Orleans come alive. Indulge in a feast of Cajun-infused delights, from the chefs at Beaufort Hotel. Sip on colorful cocktails and let the lively tunes from the Unknown Tongues  transport you to the heart of the French Quarter. Decked in Mardi Gras hues, our brunch is a lively affair where every dish is a burst of festive flavor. Gather your krewe and join us for a brunch that’s as spirited as the Mardi Gras parade itself!

Ticket Includes:  Beer, Wine, Bubbles and Spirits, Food Stations, Entertainment and More

The event takes place overlooking Taylors Creek in the Marlin Room, on the second floor of the Boat House Marina,

Mardi Gras Sunday Brunch, 11 am – 2 pm. Ticketed Event.

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Date: March 1, 2025 - March 2, 2025

Location: Various Venue, Beaufort, NC

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