Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, includes the practice of the last night of eating rich foods before fasting for Lent.
Well, you’ve got a few 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 handful of fun events to attend throughout the city.
Take a look at some of the fun happening in 2020, and be aware of the dates because some are happening before Tuesday, February 25.
Friday, February 21
First Annual Mardi Gras Festival at the Slaughterhouse
1102 W. Grant Rd.
This event ought to be a lot of fun.
From 7 p.m. – 12 a.m., the first annual event is going to feature Cajun musicians, boiled crawfish, Cajun food, a “Bourbon Street Balcony Experience,” a mini parade, a New Orleans Mausoleum Tour and more.
Sentinel Peak Brewing Company will also be on site and process will benefit the Hero Support Charity. The event is free , but some attractions are individually priced. …read more.
Friday, February 21 – Saturday, February 22
Mardi Gras at Dillinger Brewing Company
3895 N. Oracle Rd.
Dillinger Brewing Company is throwing a two-day party this year. You can expect plenty of fun like games, jazz music, beads, and drink specials.
On Friday, February 21 from 4 – 10 p.m. they’ll be having a beignet and Stout pairing.
Then from 4 – 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, the brewery will be having a “King Cake Special.” If you buy a King Cake and find the baby you’ll get a beer for a penny. …read more.
Tuesday, February 25
Mardi Gras Carnival at Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress St.
Hotel Congress is throwing a huge celebration with food and drink specials, live music, Capoeira dancers, “Arizona’s largest King Cake,” and more.
Drink specials include Abita Brewing Beer, Hurricanes, Sazeracs, and more. If you’re hungry they’ll be selling Po’ Boys, Jambalaya, Gumbo, and more.
The party starts at 5 p.m. and tickets are $5 per person. …read more.
Fat Tuesday Dining at Kingfisher
2564 E. Grant Rd.
The good times are rollin’ again at Kingfisher during their classic New Orleans-style feast from 5 p.m. – midnight.
Kingfisher owners, Jeff Azersky and Jim Murphy, love bringing that perfect amount of New Orleans style to Tucson in their feast.
This year’s menu has a few a la carte offerings to choose from, like Seafood Gumbo Fish and Shrimp, Crawfish Etouffe, and Deep Fried Cornmeal Crusted Catfish.
Reservations are strongly suggested. …read more.
Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday Party at Monterey Court Studio Galleries & Cafe
505 W. Miracle Mile
The Monterey Court Studio Galleries and Cafe is celebrating this year from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
It’s $5 per person to get in and they’ll be offering food and drink specials. Reservations are recommended. …read more.
9th Annual Mardi Gras Festival at The Parish
6453 N. Oracle Rd.
The Parish cooks up whole alligators on Mardi Gras, and this year isn’t any different. While the gators are different sizes (each weighing between 20-30 pounds), roughly 600 pounds of alligator will be served at the event.
And that’s not all; both the gators and the crawfish (all 500 pounds) are flown in from Louisianna, live. How’s that for fresh and authentic?
Head on over from 2 – 10 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25. Gators will be roasting, there will be a crawfish boil, beer from Abita Brewing will be served, and you can take advantage of drink specials while celebrating in style.
Plus, there’s going to be live music by the River Road Ramblers, Mike Herbert Prison Band, Tiny House of Funk, Brian Dean Trio, Mighty Joel Ford and Michael P., Muffulettas, Bad News Blues Band, and In Tha Zone. …read more.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Z7J-XBcxR/?utm_source=ig_embed
Mardi Gras Party at Westbound
267 S. Avenida del Convento
From 5 – 8 p.m., Westbound is throwing a Fat Tuesday bash.
Emcee Funkle Sam is putting together the party with live music by Backup Brass Band, Tucson High Jazz Band, and DJ Apple and Banana.
They’ll also be serving up Hurricanes on draft, offering face painting, pouring wine samples, and handing out beads. …read more.
Blue Willow Restaurant & Gift Shop
2616 N. Campbell Ave.
All day, Blue Willow Restaurant & Gift Shop will be offering Mardi Gras specials including the essential dishes ordered during the holiday.
Expect some mighty fine beignets, gumbo, jambalaya, and Kings Cake.
For more information on Blue Willow, visit bluewillowtucson.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.
