Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, includes the practice of eating rich foods and having a grand time. With that being said, you’ve got some options if you’re planning on letting the good times roll this year.
Tucson may not be as wild as Bourbon Street, but there are a few fun events to attend here in town. Also, be aware of the dates and times because one of these events is happening before Tuesday, February 21.
The Parish • The Delta
6453 N. Oracle Rd. • 135 S. Sixth Ave.
Tuesday, February 21
The annual Mardi Gras celebration is happening at The Parish, located at 6453 N. Oracle Rd., but The Delta is also mirroring that same party at 135 S. Sixth Ave. in downtown Tucson.
This year, the restaurants are partnering with Tucson Foodie and will be featuring some of their all-time favorites like a crawfish boil, an alligator roast, Cajun sampler plates, King Cake, and live music by The Muffelettas, In Tha Zone, Fugitive Truckers, The Grams & Krieger Big Band, and Morpholinos.
If you’re eager to try the menu, The Delta is serving up its Carnival Menu early (right now). Read our article, “The Delta brings the ‘Drunken Angel’ & other popular dishes downtown.”
For more information, follow The Parish and The Delta on Facebook.
Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress St.
Tuesday, February 21
Doors open at 5 p.m. and tickets to this event are $10 per person. There’s going to be loads of live music from Dr. Mojo and Zydeco Cannibals & Mysterious babies Traditional Jazz Band, gumbo, jambalaya, muffulettas, King Cake, cupcakes, free beads, and more.
Plus, they’ll have drink specials on Hurricanes, Sazerac, and Abita beers.
For more information, visit dice.com.
Legends Bar & Grill at Omni Tucson National Resort
2727 W. Club Dr.
Saturday, February 18
From 6 – 9 p.m., they’ll be celebrating Mardi Gras early, on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday, with live music, traditional Cajun and Creole grub, plenty of beer and cocktails, and more.
Plus, if you want to preorder a seafood boil you can do so by calling (520) 877-2378.
For more information, follow Omni Tucson National Resort on Facebook.
Tucson Mardi Gras Festival
1102 W. Grant Rd.
Saturday, March 11 – Sunday, March 12
Mardi Gras is officially on Tuesday, February 21 but the Tucson Mardi Gras Festival is happening later on Saturday, March 11 – Sunday, March 12.
The folks behind the festival shared the following on Facebook:
“Due to this early date, the potential for cold weather, and the lack of crawfish available that early in the season, we have moved our event to a more ‘Tucson’ date. So please reserve your comments about our event not being on the actual dates of Mardi Gras next year. We know, we get it… But everyone in Tucson loves getting outside in March, so we moved our event for comfort and logistics.”
So, the Mardi Gras festivities will be open Saturday, March 11 from 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 12 from noon – 6:30 p.m. This celebration is free to the public and there will be authentic Cajun food, specialty drinks, themed live music, parades, a Bourbon Street Balcony Experience, and more.
For more information, visit tucsonmardigras.com.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
