Between the beads, crawfish, king cakes and hurricane cocktails, Mardi Gras has to be one of the most decadent and festive holidays.
Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a day for indulging prior to the start of Lent, the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter that typically involves fasting or giving up your favorite food or some bad habit. This Christian tradition is particularly popular among Roman Catholics, and it’s especially prevalent in New Orleans, which throws a massive, world-renowned Mardi Gras party every year.
For those who want to get in on the action without leaving town, there are plenty of opportunities across Colorado to celebrate Mardi Gras. Here are some of them:
Steamboat Springs
Though Steamboat is really more of a cowboy-hat-and-boots kind of a town, it does Mardi Gras masks and beads pretty well, too. On March 2, the ski area has free face painting, a parade (costumes are encouraged), street performers and a free concert by Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas. There also will be some Southern dishes on tap at various restaurants throughout the weekend, including gumbo, po’ boys, etouffee and a crawfish boil. Steamboat Ski Resort, 2305 Mount Werner Circle, Steamboat Springs, steamboat.com/things-to-do/events/steamboat-mardi-gras.
Frisco
If you love dogs and you love Mardi Gras, have we got news for you: The town of Frisco is combining both into one epic parade on March 2. There will be dogs in costumes (and, I guess, humans will be there), plus a “yappy hour” with beer, wine, gumbo and beignets. The event benefits Hope for Animals- Clear Creek Rescue, a foster-only rescue organization. Later in the afternoon, there’s a doggy costume contest that might just break your brain with cuteness. Downtown Frisco, 800-424-1554, townoffrisco.com/events/mardi-gras-4paws-3-2-19.
Breckenridge
Breckenridge is celebrating Mardi Gras with a lively parade and a free concert by the Hazel Miller Band on March 5. Good news: You can register your parade float the day of and still be entered to win up to $500 for the most creative float. Main Street, Breckenridge, 970-453-2913, gobreck.com/event/mardi-gras/.
Denver
The organizers of Denver’s Mardi Gras swear you won’t even recognize the Exdo Event Center when you arrive on March 2; you might just think you’re actually on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. This giant party, which has a “seven deadly sins” theme, features live bands and DJs, as well as tarot readers, face painters, burlesque dancers, models and more than 60 performers. Plus, you have a shot at being crowned the king or queen of Mardi Gras if your costume is impressive enough. Denver Mardi Gras, Exdo Event Center,1399 35th St., Denver, 720-507-1376, denvermardigras.com.
Snowmass
Snowmass has a 36-year tradition of throwing fabulous Mardi Gras parties, so you can trust that this year will be no different. The ski area starts the day on March 5 with the “Mother of All Ascensions” uphill race to Gwynn’s High Alpine, followed by entertainment on the Snowmass Mall, an official bead toss, a concert, a kids zone, king cake, s’mores and fireworks over Fanny Hill. If you aren’t too tired from the day before, stick around for a luxurious Catena Zapata Wine Dinner at Viceroy Snowmass on March 6, a four-course wine-paired dinner. Snowmass, various locations, 800-679-3151, gosnowmass.com/event/mardi-gras-celebration/.
Manitou Springs
You don’t need to register for the Manitou Springs Carnivale Parade on March 2. Just show up, and be sure to bring your dog and your kids, as this is a family-friendly event. It’s also super important that you stop at least twice along the parade route to entertain the crowd, so start practicing your best dance moves now. Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, 719-685-5089.
Keystone
Mardi Gras at Keystone is all about gumbo, so bring your appetite. The Keystone Mardi Gras party and River Run Gumbo Cook-Off are set for March 5. For $12 to $15, you can try tons of homemade gumbo recipes, then vote for the best in town. There also will be free live music by Chris Daniels and the Kings. Interested in entering your gumbo to win? Anyone can enter and it’s free to compete. You could be crowned the king or queen of seafood/exotic gumbos, chicken gumbos and sausage gumbos. There’s also a prize for best team spirit, so be sure to warm up those vocal cords and get out your best Mardi Gras costumes. River Run Village, Keystone, 800-919-0038, keystonefestivals.com.
Stoney’s
For the ninth year in a row, Stoney’s Bar and Grill is hosting its annual Mardi Gras crawfish boil on March 2. There will be plenty of food to go around, with 750 pounds of the crustacean ready to boil. And since it’s first-come, first-served, the Stoney’s folks are doing two waves of food: one at 2 p.m. and another at 4 p.m. There will also be jambalaya, gumbo, pralines and king cakes for sale. After you’ve eaten your fill, listen to Tony and the Blue Krewe throughout the afternoon. Stoney’s Bar and Grill, 1111 Lincoln St, Denver, 303-830-6839, stoneysbarandgrill.com.
Mardi Gras Rumpus
There’s a little bit of everything at the Mardi Gras Rumpus hosted by Call to Arms Brewing on March 2, including a crawfish boil, smoked barbecue meats, gumbo, special beer releases and the world’s tiniest Mardi Gras parade. You read that right: a tiny parade, complete with mini-floats that can’t be larger than a Radio Flyer red wagon. Plus, you’ll be entertained by the Mile High Brass Band. Call to Arms Brewing Company, 4526 Tennyson St, Denver, 720-328-8258, calltoarmsbrewing.com.
Dairy Block
Head over to the Dairy Block on March 2 and 3 for an entire weekend of Mardi Gras events, starting with an adults-only Masquerade Bacchanal on Saturday. Then, stick around for the Petite Parade on Sunday, led by Denver’s Tivoli Brass Band and the Handsome Little Devils. (You can even participate by building your own float out of a shoebox.) After the parade, there’s an alley party with live entertainment, performers, a kids mask-making station, and food and beverages. If you want to make a whole weekend out of it, you can stay at The Maven Hotel, which is offering a special Mardi Gras package starting at $219 per night. Dairy Block, 1800 Wazee St., Denver, 720-360-4733, dairyblock.com.
Mythology Distillery
Mythology Distillery in Denver is celebrating Mardi Gras on March 2 with live music by the Royal Street Ramblers and a whole menu of New Orleans-inspired cocktails, including hurricanes, sazeracs and vieux carres. Mythology DIstillery, 3622 Tejon St., Denver, 720-458-0501, mythologydistillery.com.
Diebolt Brewing
You could spend your entire Saturday at Diebolt Brewing Company. It’s starting the day with a crawfish boil, king cakes, new beer and music from Badda Boom Brass Band. Then, later that night, it will be hosting “Mardi Ha-has and Ta-tas,” a variety show with comedians, burlesque dancers, aerialists and more. Diebolt Brewing Company, 3855 Mariposa St., Denver, 720-643-5940, dieboltbrewing.com.
Bayou Bob’s
This is the 33rd celebration of Mardi Gras for Bayou Bob’s, which serves up seafood and Southern comfort food in Denver all year long. The party starts on March 1 and runs through March 5, with hurricanes, beads, music, crawfish and other Cajun dishes. Bayou Bob’s, 1635 Glenarm Place, Denver, 303-573-6828, bayoubobs.com.
Dazzle
In the mood for a little Fat Tuesday music? Head to Dazzle Denver on March 5 for the LowDown Brass Band, a Chicago-based group that knows how to get down. Dazzle, 1512 Curtis St., Denver, 303-839-5100, dazzledenver.com.
Landlocked Ales
Head to Lakewood on March 2 for a crawfish boil at Landlocked Ales. The brewery is doing three seatings, at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. There’ll be festive decor, king cake, beer specials and crawfish straight from Louisiana. Landlocked Ales, 3225 South Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, 303-284-8748, landlockedales.com.
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