Where To Celebrate Mardi Gras In Fort Collins

Mardi Gras celebrations have always been a fun and festive time for me. I love the beads, the vivid colors, loud music, parades, and of course the moon pies.

When you think Mardi Gras you probably think New Orleans, but it was actually started in Mobile, Alabama.

“Mobile is the birthplace of America's original Mardi Gras? That's right, Mardi Gras originated in 1703 right here in our port city. It was revived after the Civil War when citizen Joe Cain, fed up with post-war misery, led an impromptu parade down city streets. We've been doing it ever since and we mark the annual occasion with majestic parades, colorful floats and flying Moon Pies. Mardi Gras celebrations begin two and a half weeks before Fat Tuesday and the Port City comes to life.” (www.mobile.org)

Needless to say in Mobile, Alabama… Mardi Gras is a big deal, and having lived there I decided to see if NOCO can meet the original Mardi Gras festive level.

You CAN’T have a proper Mardi Gras without crawfish, andouille sausage, king cake, beads, and lots of dancing!

So, I searched around town to find the most festive food and events (no parades found).

Let’s Eat!

Mardi Gras Hog Dinner

THURSDAY         5:30PM – 9PM       THE KITCHEN BISTRO

Local food, beer and an old-school meat raffle benefiting Dixon Station, a Poudre Valley Community Farms property and a conservation project of Colorado Open Lands

Family Style Dinner paired with Horse & Dragon Brewing Company beer
Crawfish Boil paired with Fire Captain Irish Red Ale
Citrus Salad paired with Puck Drop Cherry Kettle Sour
Savory King Cake paired with Whistle Blast Honey Brown
Jodar Farms Pork Chop paired with Adventure On IPA
Beignets paired Dragon Fire Imperial Stout
Meat Raffle

Mardi Gras at Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

TUESDAY             4PM – 10PM          JAX FISH HOUSE & OYSTER BAR

LIVE, fresh, flown-in Louisiana Crawfish, boiled in a spicy broth with potatoes, corn and andouille sausage.
King Cake Beignets , Oyster Shooters, Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo
Sazerac, Vieux Carre, Hurricanes...all your favorite NOLA cocktails!
Note: Reservations Encouraged

Mardi Gras at Papa's Table

TUESDAY             4:30PM – 9PM          PAPA'S TABLE

Wellington is also getting in on the fun. Dinner specials will be featuring: Pasta New Orleans (Andouille sausage & shrimp charbroiled and served over spaghetti tossed in a spicy Cajun cream sauce), the chef's Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Creole Shrimp n Grits.

Mo Jeaux’s 11th Annual Fat Tuesday Party

TUESDAY             MAR 5^TH (ALL DAY)       MO JEAUX'S BAR & GRILL

Delicious food & drink specials all day
Food Specials include: Gumbo, New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp, Fried Oysters, Etouffee,
Red Beans & Rice and King Cake
They’ll be tossing out beads, sipping on Hurricanes, and playing Cajun Music all day!

Let’s Dance!

Bas Bleu Mardi Gras Fundraiser

TUESDAY             6PM – 9PM            WINDSONG ESTATES

Featuring authentic Cajun cuisine from NOCO Catering and live zydeco sounds from local band, Equally Challenged. Help Bas Bleu raise funds to continue to bring unique and thought-provoking theatre to Fort Collins! Details here.

Mardi Gras Party

FRIDAY                 7PM – 10PM         GENESIS HEALTH CLUB (FT COLLINS)

Smooth Dance Connection and FC Swing bring all the fun to Genesis Health Club in Fort Collins! From king cake, Mardi Gras beads, doubloons, dance lessons, to lots of dancing! If you have a Mardi Gras mask or costume, wear it!

Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball

FRIDAY                 7PM – 2AM            STARLITE STATION