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Dates & Times
February 20 - February 21, 2026
Location
300 Front Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
Contact
(252) 528-8640
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Get ready for a weekend of high-energy celebration and coastal charm at Beaufort Mardi Gras on the Coast. This beloved annual event transforms downtown Beaufort into a vibrant Mardi Gras experience, with festive décor, live music, dazzling performers, and plenty of opportunities to indulge.
Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, February 20 - A lively Masquerade Ball with inspiration from the 18th-century featuring a red, white and blue theme in honor of America’s 250th birthday.Guests till also enjoyg gourmet bites and live music. Hosted by Beaufort Historic Site.
February 21
Street Carnival, 12-5 p.m. - Features New Orleans-inspired food, drink and 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 Turner Street. 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.
Cajun Cookoff Competition and Tasting, 12-2 p.m. - 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 Cajun 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.
Mardi Gras Parade, 3 p.m. - The crowds fill the parade route on Front Street in anticipation of the parade. 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 dressed in elaborate costumes and perform choreographed routines.
Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, February 20 - A lively Masquerade Ball with inspiration from the 18th-century featuring a red, white and blue theme in honor of America’s 250th birthday.Guests till also enjoyg gourmet bites and live music. Hosted by Beaufort Historic Site.
February 21
Street Carnival, 12-5 p.m. - Features New Orleans-inspired food, drink and 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 Turner Street. 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.
Cajun Cookoff Competition and Tasting, 12-2 p.m. - 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 Cajun 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.
Mardi Gras Parade, 3 p.m. - The crowds fill the parade route on Front Street in anticipation of the parade. 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 dressed in elaborate costumes and perform choreographed routines.
