Beaufort, North Carolina, is bringing the Mardi Gras vibe to the coast
Who says you need Bourbon Street to celebrate Mardi Gras? Beaufort proves otherwise with its delightfully quirky, waterfront take on the Big Easy, complete with beads, masks, parades, and enough Cajun flavor to make you forget you are still in North Carolina.
Beaufort’s Waterfront Mardi Gras Festival takes over town on starting on Friday February 20, 2026, with a full weekend of revelry that explains exactly why Beaufort has been dubbed one of America’s Quirkiest Towns.
Celebrate Mardi Gras in style!
A Weekend Full of Festivities
Get your fill of New Orleans-inspired food—think gumbo, po’boys, king cakes—while enjoying live jazz and street performers.
Masquerade Ball: The Party of the Weekend
The celebration kicks off Friday night, February 20, with the elegant Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, hosted by the Beaufort Historic Site. This ticketed event invites guests to don their finest masks and costumes for an evening of dancing, indulgent bites, and festive flair. It is part history, part party, and completely unforgettable. Tickets and details are available through the Beaufort Historic Site.
Parade Day: Beads, Krewes & Beaufort Quirkiness
Saturday is when Beaufort really lets loose.
At 3 p.m., crowds line Front Street as the Mardi Gras Parade rolls through town, starting at Gordon Street, heading west along Front Street, then turning right onto Orange Street. Expect colorful costumes, over-the-top krewes, and plenty of flying beads and charms.
One group always steals the spotlight, the Sweet Potato Queens. This legendary krewe of local women, ages 40 to 70, turns heads with elaborate costumes and choreographed routines that bring pure Beaufort personality to the parade.
True to the town’s laid-back style, only golf carts, bikes, and walkers are allowed in the parade, keeping things festive and fun rather than frantic.
Street Carnival & Cajun Cravings
Before and after the parade, the Mardi Gras Street Carnival runs from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. along Middle Lane and Turner Street. This free event is packed with New Orleans-inspired food, live music, artists, and local vendors.
Come hungry. Local restaurants dish out Mardi Gras classics like gumbo, jambalaya, smoked sausage, shrimp, po’boys, muffuletta, barbecue, and, of course, king cake. Add live music and waterfront views, and you have an afternoon that feels straight out of Louisiana, just with a coastal Carolina breeze.
Stay at the Beaufort Hotel
Traveling in for the event? The Beaufort Hotel is the official spot for Mardi Gras weekend. Plus, Tripfox Travel Club members can get discounted rates, making it the perfect base for all your Mardi Gras fun.
Mardi Gras, Beaufort-Style
If you want all the energy of Mardi Gras without leaving North Carolina, Beaufort is where you need to be. Get ready for a weekend of parades, food, and fun at the waterfront celebration! From masked balls and bead-filled parades to Cajun feasts by the water, this is one winter weekend that shakes off cabin fever in the most festive way possible.
Grab your beads, bring your appetite, and laissez les bons temps rouler, Beaufort-style!
