let the good times roll

Mardis Gras! Galveston opening weekend kicks of with concerts, parades, and bountiful beads

A perennial draw, Mardis Gras! Galveston is one of the oldest continuous celebrations in the continental United States, starting just 10 years after New Orleans. Naturally, the event is one of main highlights of the island calendar year.

Galveston's massive, always popular event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands this year, many who'll pack the island during carnival season for concerts, parades, balcony parties, elegant balls, and of course, beads from Friday, February 2 through Fat Tuesday, February 13.

The fun runs from The Strand to Seawall Boulevard and parts in between; those planning their trip can check out this handy map. To up the ante, the popular “Golden Bead” contest is back; lucky fans who manage to grab a golden bead will be treated exclusive prizes. Read more here.

Here’s what’s happening across the opening three-day weekend, from Friday, February 2 through Sunday, February 4.

Photo courtesy of Mardi Gras! Galveston

Friday – Umbrellas and Hayden Baker

Parades are the soul of Mardis Gras, and few do it better on the island than the Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade. The group is known for their rainbow of meticulously decorated umbrellas that weave through the streets, sometimes breaking into “The Hokey Pokey.”

Mardi Gras! Galveston Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade. Thousands pack the streets Friday for the opening night Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade. Photo courtesy of Mardi Gras! Galveston

Mardi Gras! Galveston umbrellas Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade Show off your best umbrella for fun — and free admission.Photo courtesy of Mardi Gras! Galveston

It’s also one of the few parades people can join free of charge, provided they bring their own decorated umbrella, of course. This year’s parade honors the memory of Mary Pegler, a Galveston night-life entrepreneur and philanthropist who filled many dance floors and raised money for numerous good causes.

Other parades include the Party Gras! Procession, the George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Honoree Parade, and the Mardi Gras! Galveston Parade with Grand Marshal Trey from the Fe.

On the Corona Extra Stage at the Tremont House (2300 Strand), there will be several concerts. In addition to Mid Life Crisis and The Line Up, country star Hayden Baker will take the headline spot at 10 p.m. Baker started out his career doing covers and how-to tutorials on YouTube before being discovered by country superstar Brad Paisely. Since then, he has been a rising star on the country scene.

Hayden Baker performs Friday.Photo via Hayden Baker/Facebook

For those who wants a quieter experience during the day before the party gets rolling, historical sites like Moody Mansion and the Trinity Episcopal Cemetery are running tours while the sun is up.

Saturday – Golf Carts, 5K, and Gin Blossoms

Saturday is the big show! Several more themed parades are set to wow visitors, including the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius. Galveston’s second-oldest krewe, it features a whopping 12 flats, 15 marching bands, and walking units and more. When it comes to the quintessential Mardis Gras parade experience, accept no substitutes.

Mardi Gras! Galveston Mystic Krewe parade float The Mystic Krewe of Aquarius is Galveston’s second-oldest krewe.Photo courtesy of Mardi Gras! Galveston

Earlier in the day is the Jolly Jester Jaunt, a 5k marathon with a Mardis Gras flair. Not only is it a fun way to get some exercise, participants will receive passes to balcony parties, concerts, and drinks afterwards. It’s one of the best ways to get right in the thick of the celebrations.

Or if walking isn’t your speed, how about the Zaniest Golf Cart Parade? Locals outfit their carts with a wild collection of decorations.

Music-wise, the night belongs to the Gin Blossoms. One of the 1990s’ best alt-rock acts, they had major hits with “Hey Jealousy” and “Til I Hear it From You.” Now on the nostalgia circuit but still releasing records, the band’s southwestern sound mixes well with the frontier nature of Texas Mardis Gras.

Photo via Gin Blossoms/Facebook

Sunday – All Things Latin at Fiesta Gras!

Mardis Gras’s roots are in Carnival, which exploded in popularity in Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s only fitting that Mardis Gras! Galveston have a day-long celebration of Latin America, which is the theme for Sunday’s events — dubbed Fiesta Gras!

The afternoon opens with the Univision Houston Parade, a massive collection of various Hispanic floats, bands, and dance troupes. It continues with the Los Locos Vaqueros & Jeeps Parade.

Karina Gonzalez Houston Ballet Photo via Karina Gonzalez/Instagram/Jeff Busby

The Grand Marshal is Houston Ballet principal ballerina Karina Gonzalez. The Venezuela-born dancer has starred in productions like Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Andre Prokovsy’s The Great Gatsby, and Justin Peck's Reflections.

Music-wise, Sunday caps off with the Duelo. The norteño band from Roma mixes traditional Mexican music with a more dance-ready, romantic style that is sure to get people swaying. They’re sure to play their hit “Desde Hoy,” a slow jam with an incredible accordion line that is an instant earworm.

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For more information, schedules, and tickets, visit the official Mardi Gras! Galveston site.

In the spotlight

Houston reels in new rank among 10 best cities for filmmakers in 2026

Photo by Kyle Loftus on Unsplash

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Houston has just snapped up new recognition as the No. 10 best place to live and work as a filmmaker in North America, according to MovieMaker Magazine's annual report, "The Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2026."

The Bayou City has made improvements after ranking 12th in the magazine's 2025 list.

The annual list ranks the best cities in the U.S. and Canada for individuals to live while working in the film industry, based on production spending, tax incentives, cost of living, the prevalence of "local film scenes," and additional factors. The list is divided into two categories: 25 big cities and 10 smaller cities or towns.

The spotlighted cities are the places where the publication believes filmmakers "have the best chance of both succeeding in the famously difficult entertainment industry, and making [their] own art."

For up-and-coming filmmakers that want to live in Texas, MovieMaker says doing it in Houston is "more sustainable than ever" thanks to incentives like the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, which increased its production grant rebate from 22.5 percent to up to 31 percent for qualified in-state spending. The report also said Houston has an "arms-wide-open" approach for filmmakers.

"As the biggest city in Texas, and fourth biggest city in America, Houston has nearly every type of location, from cityscapes to piney woods to rolling hills to nearby farmland," the report said. "It’s close to Galveston Island and the Gulf of Mexico, and car commercials love the absence of billboard advertising."

MovieMaker also highlighted Houston's diversity, its low cost of living compared to the national average, and its local festivals like the Houston Cinema Arts Festival and Houston Latino Film Festival.

"The city has enough film crew for two to three sizable features, and recent shoots have included the thrillers Eleven Days, with Taylor Kitsch, and A Love, from director Courtney Glaude, Tyler Perry Studios’ executive creator of Scripted and Unscripted," the report said. "Houston is also notable for a strong contingent of films with budgets under $1 million."

Elsewhere in Texas, Austin ranked as the No. 5 best place to live and work as a filmmaker in North America. Dallas ranked seventh, while neighboring Fort Worth ranked 12th. San Antonio appeared as No. 14, and El Paso landed 25th on the list.

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