19 ways to celebrate Mardi Gras in the Tampa Bay area

From crawfish to parades and jazz music, here are 19 Tampa Bay-area events to get you into the spirit of Mardi Gras.

Busch Gardens Mardi Gras: Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens features live music, New Orleans-inspired entertainment and strolling street performers. The park also offers Cajun-style dishes such as shrimp po’ boys, jambalaya, gumbo, beignets and cocktails. Included with admission; food and drinks extra. Noon-8 p.m. Feb. 25-27 and March 4-6. Busch Gardens, 10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa. 813-884-4386.

Mardi Gras at The Galley: Enjoy Cajun food, live music and king cake. No cover. 5 p.m. Feb. 25-March 1. The Galley, 27 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-575-7071.

Mardi Gras Apollo Beach: Salty’s holds the second annual Mardi Gras party with New Orleans-style food and drinks, free beads and music by DJ Eddie and Symmetry. No cover. 5-11 p.m. Feb. 25. Salty Shamrock, 6186 U.S. 41, Apollo Beach. 813-938-5282.

Mardi Gras Tour: Get some Mardi Gras beads to wear as you roam the ranch feeding alpacas, horses, donkeys, goats, chickens, bunnies, peacocks, turkeys, guineas and more. Donations appreciated. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 26. J&G Animal Rescue Ranch, 14140 Peace Blvd., Spring Hill. 727-967-7103.

Mardi Gras Crawfish Boil: Celebrate Mardi Gras with a five-pound pan of crawfish, sausage, potatoes and corn. Comes with a free beer. $40. 5-7 p.m. Feb. 26. Bayboro Brewing Co., 2390 Fifth Ave. S, St. Petersburg. 727-767-9666.

Mardi Gras Celebration: Learn how to cook up New Orleans-style dishes including short rib-stuffed beignets, duck and andouille gumbo, blackened beef tenderloin with crawfish cream sauce and Trinity risotto and king cake. 18 and older only. $60. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26. Publix Aprons Cooking School of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. 813-926-4465.

Uptown Mardi Gras Block Party: Food, music, friends and voodoo hit the streets for a party with a bounce house, noise makers and live music by Jengle Slap, MaySay and the Bay Area Fiddlers Association. No cover. 1 p.m. Feb. 26. Party Location, 710 Fifth St. N, St. Petersburg.

Dunedin Mardi Gras: Dunedin gives us a giant taste of the Big Easy at this party with live music on four stages and a parade on Douglas Avenue at 7 p.m. No cover. 2-11 p.m. Feb. 26. Pioneer Park, Main Street and Douglas Avenue, Dunedin.

Mardi Gras at Caledonia: Caledonia puts you in the middle of the action for Dunedin’s giant party as they place tables on the street near a main stage and serve up their special Black Bayou Magik Stout made with chicory coffee. No cover. 2 p.m. Feb. 26. Caledonia Brewing, 587 Main St., Dunedin. 727-351-5105.

Planning your weekend?

Subscribe to our free Top 5 things to do newsletter

We’ll deliver ideas every Thursday for going out, staying home or spending time outdoors.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

Mardi Gras Bar Crawl: Join Top Shelf Crawls for a nine-stop pub crawl with a souvenir koozie, beads, drink specials and DJ dancing. Stops include One Night Stand, Crafty Squirrel, Thirsty First, Pour Judgement, Parks and Rec, The Avenue, Tryst, Yard of Ale and 360 First. $12.99-$18.99. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Feb. 26. One Night Stand, 149 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-350-5822.

GloGoBear’s Mardi Gras Party: DJ Neon the GlowGo Bear provides the high-energy dance music for this party for Bears, Daddies and Muscle Bears. $10-$15. 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Feb. 26. Cristoph’s, 2606 N Armenia Ave., Tampa. 813-450-3877.

Mardi Gras at Caddy’s: Mardi Gras gets jazzy with live music by the Porch Dogs, Matt Bellina and Rich Sheldon. Also, face painting, balloon animals and beach games. No cover. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. March 1. Caddy’s on the Beach, 9000 W Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. 727-360-4993.

Mardi Gras Party: Get a string of Mardi Gras beads every time you buy a Bacardi or Grey Goose product. The person with the most beads at the end of the night wins Goose VIP bottle service. No cover. 4 p.m.-midnight March 1. MacDinton’s Irish Pub St. Petersburg, 242 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-201-9783.

Mardi Gras Celebration: Get to the Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar for $5 Hurricanes and $10 shrimp andouille and jambalaya. No cover. 4-9 p.m. March 1. Fenway Hotel, 215 Locklie St., Dunedin. 727-683-5980.

Fat Tuesday Crawfish Boil: Bay area residents can take a trip to the bayou with all-you-can-eat crawfish, mac and cheese, corn, potatoes and sausage. Includes two free drinks, a Mardi Gras cup and beads. $40. 6-9 p.m. March 1. 3 Daughters Brewing, 222 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-495-6002.

Oldsmar Friends of the Arts Mardi Gras Gala: Dress in purple and gold for a Mardi Gras party with dinner, dancing, music, auctions, performances by OPAL Theater and Miss Suda’s Dancers, a costume contest and games. Benefits the Performing Arts of Oldsmar. Purchase tickets through Facebook at OFotA Mardi Gras 2022. $50. 6-9 p.m. March 1. Tented Venue, 400 St. Petersburg Drive E, Oldsmar.

Fat Tuesday Run Club: Dress in festive Mardi Gras colors and beads to run your heart out. Then, return to World of Beer for Abita brews on tap, Cajun-inspired appetizers and a raffle. No cover. 6 p.m. March 1. World of Beer Westchase, 9524 Linebaugh Ave. W, Tampa. 813-852-2337.

Fat Tuesday Bacardi-Gras: Celebrate the Fat Tuesday holy holiday with live music by The Jazz Daddy O’s Trio, New Orleans-inspired food and drinks, burlesque by Miss TigerLily and Ivy Les Vixens, dancing and Bacardi Limited swag giveaways. 21 and older only. Free 8 p.m.-midnight March 1. Big Easy Bar, 1704 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. 813-248-3444.

Mardi Gras on the Rooftop: Get to the rooftop terrace for this party with an all-you-can-eat Cajun boil and dirty rice, live music by Danielle Mohr and complimentary beads. $40. 7-10 p.m. March 4. Fusion Resort, 290 107th Ave., Treasure Island. 727-300-6866.