Durham celebrates Mardi Gras in a big way. The main event is always on Fat Tuesday, which is February 21st, 2023. It will be free.
The two places you can expect updates are the Bulltown Stutters’ Facebook page and Durham Mardi Gras’ Facebook page.
In addition, there will be a new, annual family-friendly event the Saturday before Fat Tuesday, at Durham Central Park. Read on for details about events on both dates.
Find more Mardi Gras events in the Triangle.
Mardi Gras at Durham Central Park

The Bulltown Strutters and The Glass Jug Beer Lab invite everyone to celebrate Mardi Gras at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, North Carolina, on Saturday, February 18th, 2023, from 2 to 7 p.m.
Decorate your costume for Fat Tuesday, build a shoebox float, and enjoy a craft beer while listening to live music in the park!
This is the first annual family-friendly celebration, and a great way to celebrate Mardi Gras on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday.
Held under the Durham Central Park Pavilion in the afternoon, this event welcomes local Krewes and first-timers to a Bull City Mardi Gras celebration with music from Bulltown Strutters and Cajammers.
Kids can make a shoebox float, and adults can decorate their hats or costumes.
Inspired by New Orleans neighborhood festivities that crop up spontaneously in the streets on Mardi Gras Day.
Live music will be performed from 2-6pm featuring the Bulltown Strutters and the Cajammers, and The Glass Jug Beer Lab will be serving craft beer and wine for you to enjoy in the park.
Baton Rouge Cuisine, Loretta’s Southern Kitchen, & Funnel Queens will be on-site in case you get hungry from all of the dancing and decorating!
Durham Mardi Gras
We’ll probably see more details as the date arrives, but Bulltown Strutters is keeping everyone up to date about where it will be on Fat Tuesday, February 21st, 2023.
The Durham Mardi Gras Parade is a DIY affair. You don’t have to register your krewe. Just show up. There is no officially organized parade, but…it will happen.
Bulltown Strutters has announced their schedule in a Facebook event:
- 4 p.m.: Gather at Glass Jug, 545 Foster St. for an informal meetup to finalize costumes, do fingernails or makeup, etc.
- 5:45 p.m.: Proceed on sidewalk to the Bull, with instruments, kazoos, etc.
- 6 p.m.: Gather at CCB Plaza, to jam.
- 6:30ish p.m.: After Major the Bull gets Tutu, a second line starts down the sidewalk, stops briefly at Glass Jug, then the Pit, then Blue Note Grill, where Wiley Fosters are playing. Bulltown Strutters play 8:30-9:30 p.m.
Mardi Gras Gear
- Wear a long beaded necklace at your next costume get together. Perfect for a flapper costume, Just tie a knot in the bottom and you are ready to go.
- These 33″ long beaded necklaces come in a party pack of 144 pieces.
- HIGH QUALITY, Each One Is 33 Inches Long with Large 7mm Beads. Not Cheap Tiny Beads
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- DECORATE FOR ANY MARDI GRAS & MASQUERADE PARTY – If you are throwing a masquerade ball, then costume masks are a must because they make your Mardi Gras theme complete. These feather masks will be sure…
- WHAT’S IN THE PACKAGE: Set includes 18 ft long x 3 in wide multi-colored purple garland with premium foil fringe. Thick, hanging tinsel garland strands have a beautiful, fluffy appearance and can be…
- MARDI GRAS GARLAND: Perfect addition to Mardi Gras party supplies to outline a Mardi Gras mask or to complement your Mardi Gras tree decorations. Design a festive venue by adding Mardi Gras streamers…
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More Mardi Gras Events
Check out our list of free and cheap Mardi Gras celebrations in the Triangle, or take a quick look at some events here: