This year Mardi Gras falls on Feb. 9 but many places around Philly are throwing weekend celebrations. Enjoy festivities for Mardi Gras 2016 at any of these local locations.
Mardi Gras 2016 at XFINITY Live!
Don purple, yellow and green attire to celebrate at XFINITY Live! on Saturday, Feb. 6. There will be live music by The Rockets, Hurricane drink specials all night and a bead contest where a winner for the most beads will receive a cash prize.
Saturday, Feb. 6
9 p.m.
XFINITY Live!
1100 Pattison Ave.
(267) 443-6415
Mardi Gras at Reading Terminal Market with chef Bill Beck
This year from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 7 guests can head to Reading Terminal Market for classic New Orleans dishes and a traditional king cake decorating contest.
A $10 donation to the local charity MANNA is asked as an entry free to the competition.
The day will start with dishes from Beck's Cajun Cafe like the Eggs St. Rita, which is poached eggs on top of grilled corn bread, shrimp and andouille scrapple and spinach and Creole Hollandaise sauce. There will also be an oyster bisque, smoky collard greens and ham hocks.
Following the cooking demonstrations, the cake decorating contest will begin at 12:30 p.m.
Contestants will pair off to create their own masterpiece using a special “mystery” kit. The cakes will be judged by local celebrities.
Sunday, Feb. 7
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Reading Terminal Market
1136 Arch St.
(215) 922-2317
Mardi Gras Celebration at SOUTH
On Feb. 9 the restaurant SOUTH will host a New Orleans-inspired dinner. Enjoy a $35 prix-fixe menu with crab beignets, smoked duck gumbo and gulf shrimp. There will be two special Mardi Gras cocktails, as well.
Adding to the theme, SOUTH will also have live Zydeco music, a style that evolved in southwest Louisiana by French Creole speakers and resembles blues music.
Tuesday, Feb. 9
SOUTH
600 N. Broad St.
(215) 600-0220
Mummers Mardi Gras Parade in Manayunk
Manayunk will get its own Mummers Parade on Feb. 20 to celebrate Mardi Gras. String bands will march down the length of Main Street starting at Shurs Lane at 11 a.m.
After the parade hang out at any of the pubs or restaurants along the street.
Saturday, Feb. 20
11 a.m.
Shurs Lane
Manayunk