BEAUMONT, Texas — Get ready to pass a good time in downtown Beaumont this year as Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas holds its first carnival in Beaumont after moving from the south end of Jefferson County.
The carnival got its start in downtown Port Arthur where it has been held since 1993.
Thousands and thousands of Southeast Texans have celebrated Mardi Gras in Port Arthur over the past 27 years as parades rolled down Procter Street west from Rose Hill Manor on Woodworth all the way down to Houston Avenue.
This year will mark the first year the carnival moves to Beaumont with parades running from the Beaumont Civic Center down Main St., along Crockett St., past the Beaumont Event Centre and back to Edison Plaza.
12News will air the Total Krewe of Aurora Grand Parade on Saturday live on K-JAC from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. and will live stream it on 12NewsNow.com, the 12News App and YouTube from 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Text PARADE to 409-838-1212 for a full parade schedule and more.
Individual day tickets are available at the gate and in advance at area Market Basket stores. Thursday and Sunday tickets are $10 each. Friday and Saturday tickets are $15 each.
A 4-day pass is available in advance at Market Basket for $40 and offers a $10 savings.
A "Fun Pass" wristband good for a day of unlimited carnival rides is also available for $25 at the carnival or $20 in advance at Market Basket or online.
Individual tickets, the 4-day pass and the midway wristband are all available online but will have a service fee added.
Don't miss the contingent from Woodland String Band who will be making their 11th appearance at Mardi Gras Southeast Texas. They will be marching in parades on Friday and Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
The Budweiser Clydesdales will also be making a return appearance in several parades over the weekend.
A jazz brunch at the event center featuring live music by Jimmy Simmons will start the last day of the carnival at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Here's the entire schedule for Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas...
Saturday Feb 22
- 12 p.m. Gates open
- Tickets @ Gate: $15
- 2 p.m. Krewes Royalty March
- Inside Festival Grounds
- Starts at Neches St., travels down Crockett St ending at Laurel
- 5:30 p.m. Motorcycle Showcase Parade
- Starts at Beaumont Civic Center, travels north down main Street to Crockett St to Bowie to Magnolia to Laurel ending at Edison Plaza.
- 6 p.m. Total Krewe of Aurora Grand Parade
- Starts at Beaumont Civic Center, travels north down main Street to Crockett St to Bowie to Magnolia to Laurel ending at Edison Plaza.
- 9 p.m. after parade ends - Fireworks
- 9 p.m. after fireworks - Hot-air Balloon glow on the Great Lawn
- Purple Stage/Main Stage
- 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Fred Rusk & the Zydeco Hi Steppers
- 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Jesse Dayton
- 8:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. Pop Gun
- 9:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tone Loc
- 10 p.m. - 11 p.m. Vanilla Ice
- 11:15 p.m. - Midnight Pop Gun
- Green Stage/Great Lawn Stage
- 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Bri Bagwell & the Banned
- 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Breaking Southwest
- 8:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Red Clay Strays
- 10:30 p.m. - Midnight Kumbion Zelekta
- Gold Stage/Neches Stage
- Mardi Gras Music - DJ
- Event Centre Stage
- Mardi Gras Music - DJ
- 5 p.m. Running on Credit
- 12 a.m. Gates close
- Kids Zone closes @ 6 p.m.
RELATED: Mummers to Mardi Gras: Woodland String Band makes return appearance at Mardi Gras Southeast Texas
Sunday February 23
- 11 a.m. Jazz Brunch featuring music by Jimmy Simmons
- Tickets: $30 (Table of 8 - $300)
- Includes entry into Mardi Gras
- Brunch by Rao’s Bakery and Cafe
- Two drink tickets
- Live music
- BUY TICKETS
- 12 p.m. Gates open
- Tickets @ Gate: $10
- 2 p.m. Umbrella Brigade Parade
- Inside Festival Grounds
- Starts at Neches St., travels down Crockett St ending at Laurel
- 3 p.m. Munchkin Parade
- Inside Festival Grounds
- Starts at Neches St., travels down Crockett St ending at Laurel
- 4 p.m. ExxonMobil Motor Parade
- Starts at Beaumont Civic Center, travels north down main Street to Crockett St to Bowie to Magnolia to Laurel ending at Edison Plaza.
- Purple Stage/Main Stage
- 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Deep Creek Band
- 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns
- Green Stage/Great Lawn Stage
- Noon – 3:30 p.m. - DJ Music
- 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bayou Sounds
- 6 p.m. – Rusty Metoyer @ Zydeco Krush
- Gold Stage/Neches Stage
- 1 p.m. Zumba
- 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. DJ Music
- 6 p.m. Mexican Heritage Dancers
- 8 p.m. Gates close
- Kids Zone closes @ 6 p.m.
Thursday Feb 20
- 5 p.m. Gates open
- Tickets @ Gate: $10
- 6 p.m. Courir de Mardi Gras Parade
- Inside festival grounds
- Starts at Neches Street with the Chicken Toss
- Ends at Laurel Street
- Purple Stage/Main Stage
- 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Leroy Thomas & The Zyedeco Roadrunners
- 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Nooney & the Zydeco Floaters
- Green Stage/Great Lawn Stage
- 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Cajun Harmony
- 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws
- Gold Stage/Neches Stage
- 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. DJ Music
- Event Centre Stage
- 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Section 51 Band
- 10 p.m. Gates close
Friday Feb 21
- 6 p.m. Gates open
- Tickets @ Gate: $15
- 7 p.m. Golf Cart & ATV Parade
- Starts at Beaumont Civic Center, travels north down main Street to Crockett Street to Bowie to Magnolia to Laurel ending at Edison Plaza.
- 7 p.m. Valero Krewe of Krewes Parade
- Starts at Beaumont Civic Center, travels north down main Street to Crockett Street to Bowie to Magnolia to Laurel ending at Edison Plaza.
- 9 p.m. after parade ends - Fireworks
- 9 p.m. after fireworks - Hot-air Balloon glow on the Great Lawn
- Purple Stage/Main Stage
- 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Kody west
- 9 p.m. Roger Creager
- 10 p.m. Kevin Fowler
- 11 p.m. Dos Borrachos Tour featuring Roger Creager & Kevin Fowler
- Green Stage/Great Lawn Stage
- 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Kenyun and the Zydeco Masters
- 8:45 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Paul Childers
- 10:30 p.m. – Midnight The Big Show
- Gold Stage/Neches Stage
- 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. DJ Music
- 9:30 p.m. - Midnight DJ Music
- Event Centre Stage
- 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Alley Kats
- 9:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. Zago Experiment
- 12 a.m. Gates close
- 6 p.m. Gates open