Colorado Mardi Gras Guide: Highlighting celebrations across the state
Feb. 27, 2025
Note: Everything highlighted in this guide was either found through suggestions from Colorado residents, directly from organization websites, event platforms or promotional social media posts from organizations/businesses in Colorado. No local publications were consulted or used to create this list.
Colorado might be a long way from New Orleans, but several businesses and organizations across the state will be hosting Mardi Gras celebrations on and before March 4.
Mardi Gras is the final day of Carnivale, which is a season of celebration that begins on Jan. 6 each year. It is followed by Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of the Lent fasting period. While the holiday is rooted in religion, Mardi Gras New Orleans’ official website assures that everyone can celebrate it.
The following list is not exhaustive, but it provides several local opportunities to experience Mardi Gras or find weekend plans in Colorado.
Arvada
Olde Town Arvada will host a Mardi Gras Brass Band March on March 4.
According to the event page on Facebook, the march will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m., beginning at Carly’s Boutique. Guerilla Warfare will provide the music, and several Olde Town Arvada businesses will offer food and drink specials during this time.
More information about this event and the specials can be found here.
On March 1, Marmalade Lounge and Boutique will host Mardi Gras Drag Bingo from 7 to 9 p.m. The event is free, but reservations are required.
Aurora
Stanley Marketplace is hosting a Mardi Gras Masquerade Party on March 4. The free event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.
According to the event’s page, the Mile High Brass Band will play live, and attendees can enjoy activities like fortune-telling and face painting.
Boulder
St. Julien Hotel & Spa will have a Mardi Gras celebration on March 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. According to the event page, it is free to attend and will be held in the hotel’s Great Room Lobby. New Orleans Swing band Voodoo Lily will provide live music.
Food and drink specials will be offered during the event; more information on the prices and dishes available to purchase can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts will have a New Orleans-themed cooking class on March 4. The class will take place from 4:45 to 8 p.m.
According to Eventbrite, the themed class costs $95 for a single ticket and $75 for groups of two or more. When this is published, 10 of each type of ticket are available for purchase.
Attendees will learn to cook four different New Orleans signature dishes. Anyone 18 or under can take the class if someone over the age of 18 accompanies them.
More information on the dishes, dress code and more can also be found on the course’s Eventbrite page.
Colorado Springs
Endymion, an electronic Mardi Gras masquerade party, will take place at Sunshine Studios Live on March 1.
According to the event page, the party begins at 8 p.m. and welcomes attendees of all ages. There will be a food truck as well as a bar for those aged 21 and older to enjoy.
Each ticket costs $21.13, and a table for four with bottle service and some additional Mardi Gras perks costs $616.18.
More information about this event and its ticket options can be found on the event page.
JAKs Brewery and Taproom will host a Mardi Gras party on March 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. According to the event page, JAKs will offer drink pairings and other refreshments.
ViewHouse Colorado Springs will serve a Mardi Gras menu March 2-4; according to their Mardi Gras event page, the festivities will begin on March 2 at 10 a.m. with a brunch buffet.
Those interested in eating at ViewHouse must reserve a table here. More information on their Mardi Gras specials can be found on the event page.
Commerce City
The 3rd Annual Mardi Gras Wagon Parade will take place on March 1 at noon in High Prairie Park.
According to the event page, attendees can watch or decorate a wagon to walk with in the parade. Those interested in being in the parade can sign up here for the decoration contest, and the winner will receive a King Cake. Gumbo will also be served at the event.
Crested Butte
KBUT Community Radio and Marty the Dragon are hosting a Mardi Gras Parade on March 4. According to the event’s Facebook page, it begins at 5 p.m. at “The North Side of 7th & Elk, CB.”
Those interested can sign up to walk in the parade until March 3 using this form. There will be a $500 cash prize for the best parade float.
The parade will be followed by an after-party at the Mallardi Theatre.
More information can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
Denver
The 7th Annual Petite Parade will take place on March 2 from noon to 2 p.m. in Dairy Block Alley.
Attendees can sign up to build miniature floats for the parade, and live music and other forms of Mardi Gras entertainment will be provided. According to the event page, float-related prizes will be awarded.
Denver Elks Lodge #17 will host a Mardi Gras celebration on March 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. According to their Facebook event page, the event will feature live music, a King Cake raffle and bingo.
Call to Arms Brewing Company will host their 8th Annual Mardi Gras Celebration on March 1.
The festivities start with a gumbo and crawfish boil at 1 p.m.
At 4 p.m., the tiny float parade will begin. Prizes will be given out for the top three floats in the form of charity donations.
More information on the float specs and the overall event can be found on the event page.
Dumont
The Dumont School will host a Mardi Gras celebration on March 1 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. According to their event post, attendees can purchase refreshments; all of the money this event raises will go to the Mill Creek Valley Historical Society.
A prize for best costume and drawings for themed prizes will also be given at this event.
Durango
Purgatory Resort will have a Mardi Gras party and parade on March 4 from noon to 2 p.m. According to the event page, the celebration takes place at The Powder House, and attendees must have a pass or ticket to participate.
Estes Park
American Legion Post 119 will have a free Mardi Gras party on March 4 from 5 to 9 p.m. According to the organization’s website, Gumbo and drink specials will be offered, a costume contest will take place and a new band will debut at the venue.
Fort Collins
Purpose Brewing and Cellars will have a Mardi Gras celebration on March 1 from 2 to 7 p.m. According to the event announcement, Jimbeaux’s Cajun Cuisine will cater the celebration, and attendees who order food will receive free King Cake. Oh Like WOW will provide live music, and a dog costume contest will take place, where a Barkus King and Queen of Mardi Gras will be crowned.
More information is available in this announcement post.
Odell Brewing Company will host a Mardi Party on March 1 from noon to 5 p.m.
According to the event page, Guerilla Fanfare will provide live music from 1 to 2:30 p.m., and themed food and drink specials will be offered. Attendees can also take part in a mask craft workshop.
Golden
Mountain Mardi Gras Madness at The Golden Mill will take place on March 1 from 5 to 8 p.m.
According to the event page, the Casey Russell NOLA Trio will perform at this free event, and refreshments will be available.
The Buffalo Rose is hosting a Mountain Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Benefit Concert on March 4 from 7 to 10 p.m. According to the event page, tickets start at $25 and will go to the Golden Civic Foundation.
Doors will open at 6 p.m., and Krewe de Groove will be performing. Tickets can be purchased here.
Keystone
Keystone’s Mardi Gras Party & Gumbo Cook-Off takes place on March 4 from 3 to 5 p.m.
According to the event page, attendees get unlimited gumbo tasting, which costs $15 for adults and $7 for children. Costumes are encouraged.
Bourbon Street Hurricane will be performing and will open the parade at 3:30 p.m.
The full lineup of events can be found on the event page, including the times in which each activity will happen or be available.
Littleton
Hudson Gardens & Event Center is hosting a masquerade-themed murder mystery dinner on March 1.
According to the event page, the dinner is open to anyone over the age of 21. A New Orleans cuisine-focused buffet and festive drinks will be available. Elegant and themed attire is encouraged.
Tickets cost $85 each and can be purchased here.
Longmont
Abbott & Wallace Distilling will host a Mardi Gras celebration on March 1 from 4 to 10 p.m.
According to their Eventbrite page, the celebration is free and open to all ages but requires a reservation.
In addition to the parade, attendees can participate in a costume and float contest, enjoy a New Orleans meal and listen to a live performance featuring the Otone Brass Band.
Doors open at 2 p.m., and food will be served until 8 p.m. Free parking will be available.
Loveland
Loveland Aleworks is hosting a Mardi Gras Party on March 1 at 6 p.m. According to the event page, beads, pizza and King Cake slices will be provided.
Crooked Beech Brewing Company will have a Fat Tuesday celebration on March 4 from 4 to 9 p.m.
According to the event page, Jimbeaux’s food truck will be at the event, and those who buy food will get a free slice of King Cake. Dale Cisek Band will play live from 6 to 9 p.m.
There will also be a dog costume contest, and the winners will be crowned “Barkus King & Queen.”
Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs will have a full-day celebration on March 1.
For attendees, the day begins at 11 a.m. with the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-off tasting in Soda Springs Park. According to the event page, 20 amateur and professional gumbo chefs will be competing, and attendees will get to taste samples of gumbo for $0.75 each.
The Tidal Breeze Hot Five will play from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on this day.
Then, at 1 p.m., a Carnivale Parade will begin and go down Manitou Avenue into Soda Springs Park. Mardi Gras attire is encouraged, and attendees can view the float awards ceremony in Soda Springs Park after the parade finishes.
From 2:30 to 8 p.m., there will be an after-party at the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort. Attendees can enjoy drink specials when Happy Hour begins at 4 p.m. DJ Gabe from the Future and the Ben Guzman Old Time Band will provide live music during scheduled time windows, which can be viewed on the event page. Those interested in attending must RSVP.
More information on these events can be found on the Visit Manitou Springs website or in this recent blog post.
Ouray
Ouray Elks #492 will host a Mardi Gras party on March 1 starting at 5 p.m. According to the event announcement, a Mardi Gras cuisine-focused dinner will be served at 6 p.m., and live music from Alive in the Woods will begin at 7 p.m.
The event costs $30 per person or $50 per couple if tickets are purchased before the event, and those purchasing tickets on the day of the event will pay $35 per person or $60 per couple.
More information on this event can be found on the announcement post.
