Each year, more than half a million people gather in the streets of Galveston Island to participate in the  largest Mardi Gras celebration in Texas. For 12 days and 11 nights the island is electrified by the sounds of live music, spectacular parades, elaborate masked balls, and flamboyant costumes. This year, Mardi Gras! Galveston salutes American patriotism with "Mardi Gras! Galveston: Red, White, and Blue," January 28, 2005 thru Fat Tuesday, February 8, 2005. The traditional festival of feasting and merrymaking that precedes the season of Lent, has been publicly observed on Galveston Island as early as 1867 and later revived in 1985 by Galveston-born preservationist and developer George P. Mitchell. This year's celebration marks the 21st consecutive year of Mardi Gras! Galveston since its 1985 revival. Now coordinated by the Galveston Park Board of Trustees in conjunction with 18 participating Krewes, the success of Mardi Gras! Galveston continues to grow as hundreds of thousands of revelers participate in Texas' largest Mardi Gras celebration. The first year that Mardi Gras was celebrated on a grand scale in Galveston was 1871 with the emergence of two rival Mardi Gras societies, or "Krewes" called the Knights of Momus (known only by the initials "K.O.M.") and the Knights of Myth, both of which devised night parades, masked balls, exquisite costumes and elaborate invitations.  The Krewes now number near two dozen, and the large number and variety of parades offered during the celebration are making Galveston's Mardi Gras a notable celebration. If you're not into large crowds gathering on narrow, historic streets, then you might want to pass on this gala celebration. Or skip the parades and attend some of the great Balls and other Mardi Gras events. Overall, more than a half million people will converge on Galveston for this very historic and traditional island celebration.
More than 30 bands will captivate spectators on two grand stages located in the heart of the Bud Light Entertainment District. In addition to live music, the celebration includes several exciting parade processions accompanied by local Krewe members dressed in extravagant costumes, intriguing art exhibits, stimulating sports events, plus an assortment of elaborate masquerade balls to entice the black-tie senses. You can get the full 2005 calendar here. Enjoy Mardi Gras - Galveston Style!