It’s time to break out the beads and let the good times roll!

This year, though, there’s no need for us Texans to travel to New Orleans when there’s plenty of fun to be had at festive celebrations around the Lone Star State. 

Barefoot Mardi Gras, Corpus Christi, Texas

Corpus Christi invites revelers to bring their good times and let them roll on the sand at the city’s annual Barefoot Mardi Gras celebration. What began in 2009 as a backyard party and an excuse to celebrate with friends has grown into a multi-day, citywide celebration featuring a kickoff party, the King and Queen’s Ball, a festival on the beach and an elaborate parade. Attendees can expect plenty of purple, green and gold costumes, flavorful Cajun-style cuisine, live music, artisan vendors and beads galore. This year’s festivities culminate on Feb. 26 with the family-friendly Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade and Festival on Padre Island National Seashore.

Mardi Gras Nocona-Style, Nocona, Texas

Just north of Dallas, the small town of Nocona offers big-time Mardi Gras fun. With a week packed full of celebrations, from the popular Krewe de Barkus Pooch Parade (Feb. 20) and New Orleans-inspired family fun to a fish fry and Mardi Grad costume contest at an Oklahoma casino, Nocona’s Mardi Gras celebration is unlike any other. The week of festivities culminates with a massive family-friendly Mardi Gras parade of bands, floats, dancers, motorcycles, animals and more on Saturday, Feb. 26. 

Mardi Gras! Galveston, Galveston, Texas

Visitors flock to Galveston’s 32-mile sparkling coast every year for one of the nation’s largest Mardi Gras celebrations. Mardi Gras! Galveston (Feb 18-Mar 1) is known for its fun-filled environment packed with dozens of parades, great live music, family-friendly activities and revelry along the beach and in the downtown entertainment district. Galveston-goers can grab their beads and prepare for two weekends of unforgettable fun on the island. Mardi Gras!

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Cover photo courtesy Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau