What to know about parade route, parking, changes

This article was updated to include additional information.

ASHEVILLE – The Mardi Gras season is in full swing, and Asheville revelers are ready to celebrate.

Mardi Gras, which translates to “Fat Tuesday,” is on March 4. In Christian traditions, it marks the last day of consuming rich, fatty foods before the Lenten fasting period.

On March 2, the Asheville Mardi Gras organization will host its 18th annual family-friendly parade, and local businesses will entertain with festive events.

Here’s what to know to get into the Mardi Gras spirit.:

Mardi Gras pre-parties

Asheville Mardi Gras will host events before Sunday’s parade.

On March 1, meet the 2025 royalty, King Tom Good Heart Marshall and Queen Jill Bielewski, at 6 p.m. at Green Man Brewery’s The Mansion, 27 Buxton Ave.

Beneath the Veil – A Mardi Gras Masquerade will be at 7:30 p.m. at Eulogy, Burial Beer’s music venue, 10 Buxton Ave.

Asheville Mardi Gras theme: Animalia

This year’s parade theme is Animalia, and Asheville Mardi Gras krewes will wear animal-inspired costumes.

Parade-goers are encouraged to follow suit or don any other lively Mardi Gras fashion.

Parade route

On March 2, the parade will step off at 3:05 p.m. at the corner of Short Coxe and Coxe avenues in the South Slope, a downtown brewing district.

The parade will travel north on Coxe Avenue, east on Buxton Avenue, then wind through the district up South Lexington Avenue to Church Street before heading west on Buxton Avenue and continuing north on Coxe Avenue to complete the voyage. View the parade map at ashevillemardigras.org.

The parade will feature krewes ― groups of revelers ― traveling by foot and floats, and live music by the Asheville Second Line Band. Stay alert for throws, like beads, candy and toys, that may be launched into the crowd.

Parade road closures and parking

The Asheville Mardi Gras parade map denotes road closures in the South Slope.

The South Slope offers free street parking; take heed of parking signs. City of Asheville metered spaces are $2.50 per hour, with a two-hour maximum limit, between 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and free on Sunday (parade day).

City garages are free the first hour and $2 per hour thereafter. The daily maximum is $15.

Private lots, like those managed by ParkMobile, require daily payment.

Mardi Gras royalty and post-parade procession

In past years, the royals have hosted a Queen’s Ball.

This year, Asheville Mardi Gras is breaking tradition and introducing a royal procession with King Tom Good Heart Marshall and Queen Jill Bielewski following the parade at 5:30 p.m. beginning at Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, 135 Coxe Ave.

At 7 p.m., join the royals at Antidote at Chemist Spirits, an age 21 and up bar, at 151 Coxe Ave.

The evening will end with a party at Banks Ave. Bar, 32 Banks Ave, open to ages 21 and up, from 8-10 p.m.

For the parade route map, volunteer opportunities, membership information, and more, visit ashevillemardigras.org.

More Mardi Gras events in Asheville

• Hustle Souls and Firecracker Jazz Band Mardi Gras Celebration at 9 p.m. Feb. 28 at Asheville Music Hall and The One Stop downtown. Ages 21 and up. Tickets are $20.88-$26.39. ashevillemusichall.com

• Empire Strikes Brass: 11th Annual Mardi Gras Party at 8 p.m. March 1 at The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. All ages, standing room only. Tickets are available at etix.com or thegreyeagle.com.

• Bacardi-Gras Ball at 5 p.m. March 2 at The Tiki Easy Bar inside Hi-Wire Brewing’s South Slope location, 197 Hilliard Ave. Ages 21 and up. tikieasybar.com

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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram/Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville Mardi Gras Parade rolls out March 2: What to know