Mardi Gras in Portland, Oregon

Sign with Mardi Gras throws promoting a Fat Tuesday comedy show at Delta Cafe, in southeast Portland, Oregon's Woodstock neighborhood, in 2026

A holiday Mardi Gras is celebrated annually in the American city of Portland, Oregon. The annual Mardi Gras Parade and Ball is organized by the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus. Mayor Harry Lane, who is credited for starting the Portland Rose Festival, was inspired by annual Mardi Gras celebrations.[1][2]

Events

The annual Portland Mardi Gras Parade and Ball is arranged by the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus, described by Willamette Week as "Portland's community of Louisiana expats".[3][4][5] In 2023, the newspaper's Brianna Wheeler wrote: "Founded in 2010, Mysti Krewe (named for the misty Pacific Northwest atmosphere) has served as a subcommunity for Louisiana transplants and locals who simply love the culture. For 12 years, they have held a Mardi Gras ball and parade, bringing that trademark Carnival energy to the historically Black neighborhood around North Mississippi Avenue each season."[6] The Mysti Krewe of Nimbus bills its ball and parade as the "most authentic Mardi Gras events" in the Pacific Northwest.[7] The group's mission is "to bring Louisiana Mardi Gras culture" to the region, according to KGW.[8] The Mysti Krewe of Nimbus had approximately 50 members in 2012 and 100 members in 2023.[9][10] The group has also participated in the annual 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade.[11]

In addition to the annual parade and ball, the city has seen other Mardi Gras festivities. In 2011, the Gypsy Restaurant and Velvet Lounge hosted a "Fat Tuesday Bayou Bash" with live music, a fortune teller, and a palm reader.[12] The Rose City Blues 2026 Mardi Gras Jamboree was presented by the Portland Blues and Jazz Dance Society. The festival had contests, music, workshops, and an indoor parade in collaboration with Mysti Krewe of Nimbus.[13]

Ball

The Mardi Gras ball has been held at the event space Nova PDX (top, pictured in 2022) and the music venue Wonder Ballroom (bottom, pictured in 2008).

In 2018, Dillon Pilorget of The Oregonian described the ball as "the closest you can get to New Orleans in Portland".[14] In 2024, Willamette Week said the ball "is billed as one of the most authentic celebrations of Louisiana culture outside the Pelican State, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune".[15] Costumes are encouraged, and the ball has served king cake (a food associated with the holiday) and crowned a Mardi Gras king and queen.[15]

The first ball was held in 2011.[9] The 2012 and 2013 balls were held at the event space Nova PDX, formerly known as Bossanova Ballroom. Performers in 2012 included Atomic Gumbo, the Too Loose Cajun/Zydeco Band, and the Transcendental Brass Band.[16] The theme in 2013 was "Such a Night".[9][17][18] The 2014 and 2015 events were held at the music venue Wonder Ballroom.[19][20] In 2015, Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day were the same weekend; the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus called the event the "VooDoo Valentine Mardi Gras Ball".[21][22] The 2016 event was at Nova PDX and the theme was "Life is a Carnival".[23] The 2018 event was at the Tiffany Center and the theme was "Rollin' on the River".[24][14] In 2019, the ball was held at the same venue and the theme was "Tableaux on Pirates Alley". Performers included BrassRoots Movement, Northwest Bones Gang, and the Too Loose Cajun and Zydeco Band.[25][8]

The ball's theme in 2020 was "Magical Mystery Krewe".[26] Approximately 600 people attended the 2023 ball at Wonder Ballroom. The event's theme was "Cirque de Krewe" and music acts included BrassRoots Movement, Kris Deelane and the Hurt, Northside Bone Gang, and TooLoose Cajun Zydeco Band.[27][28][29] The event was at the same venue in 2024 and had Cajun food, costumes, dancing, and king cake.[30] The 2025 ball's theme was "enchanted forest".[3][31] The Too Loose Cajun Zydeco Band was the headliner.[32] The 2026 ball was held at Wonder Ballroom on Valentine's Day and the theme was "Sea of Love".[33][34][35]

Parade

Jazz musicians Mel Brown (left, pictured in 2008) and Reggie Houston (right, pictured in 2006) were the parade's grand marshal in 2022 and 2026, respectively.
Drag performer Poison Waters (pictured performing at Darcelle XV Showplace in 2022) was the grand marshal in 2025.

The parade is usually held along Mississippi Avenue in north Portland and includes bead throwing.[36] It features art and entertainers,[37] and businesses along the route offer Mardi Gras-themed specials.[38] In 2026, Rosemarie Stein of The Oregonian wrote, "This free, family-friendly event welcomes Portlanders of all ages in a celebration of creativity, joy and community. Expect colorful costumes, puppets, dance troupes, marching bands, circus performers, and krewes bringing their own signature flair to the streets."[39]

Hundreds of people attended the 2015 parade.[40] The parade route was from Albina to Fremont in 2017.[41] The 2019 event had seven marching bands, two dance groups, and three floats.[42] A post-parade celebration in 2020 was held at Mississippi Studios and featured the Too Loose Cajun Zydeco Band.[7] The 2021 event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[36]

Jazz drummer Mel Brown was the parade's grand marshal in 2022.[43][44] Hundreds of people attended the 2023 parade,[45] which had bead tossing, dancing, jugglers, and music.[46][47] In 2025, drag performer Poison Waters was the parade's grand marshal.[38][31] Jazz musician Reggie Houston was the grand marshal of the 2026 parade.[37][48][49]

Food and themed establishments

Many local restaurants have offered special menus in conjunction with Mardi Gras.[50] In 2016, the defunct Tapalaya hosted its third annual Lundi Gras Breakside Brewery Dinner in collaboration with Breakside Brewery. The restaurant Bowery Bagels, as well as the defunct Acadia, Irving Street Kitchen,[16] and Miss Delta,[12][51] have also served specials.[52] Other restaurants that hosted Mardi Gras celebrations included Brasserie Montmartre, EastBurn, and Interurban.[53] In 2022, Screen Door served gumbo, jambalaya, cornbread, coleslaw, collard greens, and fruit crisps.[54] In 2025, the restaurant served Louisiana crawfish boil, gumbo with chicken and andouille, crawfish étouffée, and king cake.[3] Other bakeries and restaurants that have served king cake include Delta Cafe, Dos Hermanos Bakery, Eat: An Oyster Bar,[55] Helen Bernhard Bakery, La Provence and Petite Provence, the defunct NOLA Doughnuts (2015–2023),[36] and St. Honoré Boulangerie.[56][57]

Portland had a bar called Voodoo Lounge, which "featured a Mardi Gras theme, as if every day were Fat Tuesday", according to The Oregonian.[58]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hallman Jr, Tom (2020-07-30). "Portland's Rose Festival queen is crowned in a celebration of 'the beauty within each of us'". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-08-18. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  2. ↑ Hallman Jr, Tom (2021-06-18). "2021 Queen of Rosaria joins mother among Portland Rose Festival royalty". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2022-04-17. Retrieved 2026-02-15. Portland Mayor Harry Lane is credited with starting the festival... He wanted a rose carnival patterned after annual Mardi Gras celebrations.
  3. 1 2 3 "Fat Tuesday Is Coming: Ways to Celebrate Portland's Mardi Gras". Willamette Week. 26 February 2025. ISSN 2640-5857. Wikidata Q141104655.
  4. ↑ "Kerr Bikes & Boats: Explore Portland With Surreys, Adaptive Bikes, And More!". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
  5. ↑ "What is a New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewe doing in Portland, Oregon?". The Oregonian. 2014-12-02. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
  6. ↑ "Mysti Krewe of Nimbus Brings NOLA Vibes to the Rose City Every Mardi Gras". Willamette Week. 19 July 2023. ISSN 2640-5857. Wikidata Q141104657.
  7. 1 2 Bergeron, Judy (2020-02-26). "Parading in Portland: Northwest krewe does scaled-down Mardi Gras celebration". The Advocate. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  8. 1 2 "8 things to do in Portland this weekend: March 1-3". KGW. February 26, 2019. Archived from the original on March 2, 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 "Portland's Mysti Krewe of Nimbus reimagines Mardi Gras for Louisiana expats". The Oregonian. 15 February 2012. ISSN 8750-1317. Wikidata Q141104661.
  10. ↑ Stein, Rosemarie (2023-02-15). "'La Sylphide,' Mardi Gras Parade, and Immersive Realities talk: 11 things to do this week". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  11. ↑ Green, Aimee. "82nd Avenue of Roses Parade, 2026". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
  12. 1 2 "Mardi Gras 2011: Portland, Hillsboro women make masks for Fat Tuesday". The Oregonian. 2011-03-05. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  13. ↑ "From Lunar New Year to the Portland Timbers home opener: 8 things to do this weekend". KGW.
  14. 1 2 Pilorget, Dillon (2018-02-07). "8 things to do in Portland in the coming week". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-08-23. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  15. 1 2 "What to Do in Portland (Feb. 7–13, 2024)". Willamette Week. 2024-02-07. Archived from the original on 2025-05-15. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  16. 1 2 "Mardi Gras, Portland Style". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  17. ↑ Larry Bingham, The Oregonian (2012-02-15). "Second annual Portland Mardi Gras Ball to be held Saturday at Bossanova Ballroom". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
  18. ↑ "The music of Mardi Gras day, courtesy of Reggie Houston and Steve Kerin". The Oregonian. 1 February 2013. ISSN 8750-1317. Wikidata Q141104665.
  19. ↑ Hale, Jamie (2015-02-04). "Mardi Gras 2015 in Portland: Parties, a parade and Fat Tuesday dinner". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
  20. ↑ "Go for Saturday, Feb. 14: Portland Mardi Gras Ball, Cover Your Hearts, Live Wire! Radio". The Columbian. 2026-07-30. ISSN 1043-4151. OCLC 15644994. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
  21. ↑ "Valentine's Day Events: From romance to speed dating". KGW.
  22. ↑ Hale, Jamie (2015-01-28). "14 Valentine's Day events around Portland: Cruises, concerts, a mud run and more". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  23. ↑ "Mysti Krewe of Nimbus Mardi Gras Ball". Southeast Examiner. Archived from the original on 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  24. ↑ Graves, Mark (2018-02-12). "Portland's 8th Annual Mardi Gras Ball (photos)". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2018-04-25. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  25. ↑ "Short List". Portland Tribune. 2019-02-27. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  26. ↑ Stein, Rosemarie (2020-02-19). "23 things to do around Portland this week: Polar Plunge, Mardi Gras Ball, and Lyle Lovett". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-07-22. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  27. ↑ "Portland's 12th annual Mardi Gras Ball packs the Wonder Ballroom". The Oregonian. 19 February 2023. ISSN 8750-1317. Wikidata Q141104670.
  28. ↑ Graves, Mark. "Portland Mardi Gras at the Wonder Ballroom 2023". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2023-02-20. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  29. ↑ "Portland readies for Louisiana-style Mardi Gras Ball, parade". KOIN. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  30. ↑ Gebel, Meira (2024-02-08). "Portland weekend events: Mardi Gras, Ilana Glazer and a new cocktail bar". Axios Portland. Archived from the original on 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
  31. 1 2 "What to Do in Portland (Feb. 26–March 4, 2025)". Willamette Week. 25 February 2025. ISSN 2640-5857. Wikidata Q141104820.
  32. ↑ Stein, Rosemarie (2025-02-26). "Monster Jam, Mardi Gras Ball and 'Hamilton': 15 things to do this week". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
  33. ↑ Mardi Gras Ball, Portland Night Market among events to attend this weekend, KOIN, 13 February 2026, Wikidata Q141104809
  34. ↑ Dive into the “Sea of Love” at Portland’s Mardi Gras Ball & Parade, KOIN, 8 January 2026, Wikidata Q141104679
  35. ↑ From Love & Basketball to Portland’s Winter Light Festival: 8 things to do this weekend, KGW, 13 February 2026, Wikidata Q141104813
  36. 1 2 3 "Where to find a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras king cake in Portland". The Oregonian. 9 February 2021. ISSN 8750-1317. Wikidata Q141104698.
  37. 1 2 "What to Do in Portland (Feb. 11–17, 2026)". Willamette Week. 10 February 2026. ISSN 2640-5857. Wikidata Q141104816.
  38. 1 2 "Poison Waters named grand marshal for Portland's 2025 Mardi Gras Parade". The Oregonian. 5 February 2025. ISSN 8750-1317. Wikidata Q141104701.
  39. ↑ "Valentine's Day events, 'Sleeping Beauty,' International Auto Show: 12 things to do this week". The Oregonian. 11 February 2026. ISSN 8750-1317. Wikidata Q141104818.
  40. ↑ Hale, Jamie (2015-02-18). "Mardi Gras parade packs hundreds in the streets of North Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
  41. ↑ "Mardi Gras marches on the Mississippi in North Portland". KATU. 2017-03-01. Archived from the original on 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
  42. ↑ "A Mardi Gras Parade, Chowder Challenge and 9 Other Things to Do and See in Portland Feb. 27-March 5". Willamette Week. 26 February 2019. ISSN 2640-5857. Wikidata Q141104835.
  43. ↑ Nakamura, Beth. "Legendary jazz drummer Mel Brown". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  44. ↑ "Mel Brown, the 'Gentleman of Jazz,' will be grand marshal of Portland's 2022 Mardi Gras parade". The Oregonian. 27 February 2022. ISSN 8750-1317. Wikidata Q141104705.
  45. ↑ "Portland Mardi Gras parade dances down Mississippi Ave". The Oregonian. 2023-02-22. Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  46. ↑ "Portland celebrates Mardi Gras with parade, feasting, more". KATU. 2023-02-22. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
  47. ↑ Meagher, Sean. "Portland Mardi Gras Parade 2023". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
  48. ↑ Portland ready to ‘let the good times roll’ for Mardi Gras, KOIN, 13 February 2026, Wikidata Q141104715
  49. ↑ "Portlanders celebrate Mardi Gras on Mississippi Avenue". KGW.
  50. ↑ "Eat like a Cajun with a Fat Tuesday feast". The Oregonian. 2012-02-21. Archived from the original on 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  51. ↑ "Stout Month Returns, Acadia Celebrates Mardi Gras, and More Portland Food Events". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
  52. ↑ "How to Celebrate Fat Tuesday, Portland-Style". Portland Monthly. 5 February 2016. ISSN 1546-2765. Wikidata Q141104711.
  53. ↑ DeJesus, Erin (2012-02-21). "Fat Tuesday: Where to Celebrate Mardi Gras in Portland". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  54. ↑ "Where to Celebrate Mardi Gras at the Last Minute". Portland Monthly. 1 March 2022. ISSN 1546-2765. Wikidata Q141104719.
  55. ↑ Walsh, Chad (2016-02-05). "See How Portland Does Mardi Gras at These 13 Restaurants, Mapped". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2021-11-28. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  56. ↑ "Where to buy king cake for Epiphany, Mardi Gras celebrations in Portland". The Oregonian. 3 January 2025. ISSN 8750-1317. Wikidata Q141104723.
  57. ↑ "What is king cake and why is it eaten for Epiphany and Mardi Gras?". The Oregonian. 8 January 2025. ISSN 8750-1317. Wikidata Q141104726.
  58. ↑ "Tight jeans, strong drinks and disco queens: A visual history of Portland nightclubs". The Oregonian. 25 May 2017. ISSN 8750-1317. Wikidata Q141104729.

External media

This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.