Just because we don’t live in New Orleans doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate Mardi Gras. Believe it or not, there are many places around and near Indianapolis where you can enjoy this exciting and family-friendly celebration.
If you’re not familiar with the event, Mardi Gras is the last day of the Carnival season as it always falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Mardi Gras translates to Fat Tuesday in French, and it nods to the custom of using up all of the fats in the home before Lent in preparation for fasting. In the United States, the principal Carnival celebration is in New Orleans Louisiana. The 10 days leading up to Mardi Gras are filled with citywide revelry and elaborate parades, with the distribution of colorful beads and the eating of King Cake as iconic parts of the celebration.
Celebrate Mardi Gras in Indianapolis
Celebrate Mardi Gras right here in Indianapolis! Make it a family affair and attend one of several Mardi Gras festivals and celebrations. Or, go all out at night without the kids as Mardi Gras is an excellent time to get into party mode! Mardi Gras is also a great time to EAT. Sample authentic Cajun and Creole food like they do in New Orleans!
21+ Mardi Gras Celebrations | #IndyWithoutKids
- Broad Ripple turns into Bourbon Street for the biggest Mardi Gras party on February 22nd! The official Mardi Gras Bar Crawl kicks off at 3 pm at Brothers Bar & Grill. Enjoy beads, a masquerade mask, a stadium cup, no cover at participating bars, and discounted food and drink specials.
- Party like it’s 1399 at Karneval! The Athenaeum celebration is modeled after Karneval in Cologne, a sister city to Indianapolis! On March 1st, party in the Basile Theatre with German-inspired drinks and horse d’oeuvres, live music, jesters, and festivities.
- Speedway is hosting Mardi Gras on Main! on March 1st. The Main Street Restaurants & Bars will offer Mardi Gras-themed drinks & food. Toss some beads and bake a King Cake!
- On March 4th, the Jazz Kitchen will host its annual Mardi Gras Party featuring the New Orleans-style Pork n Beans Brass Band and DJ bphresh spinning a Mardi Gras set. Enjoy crab cakes, jambalaya, etoufée, king cake, and other New Orleans fare. Sample delicious Mardi Gras-themed cocktails and hit the dance floor to celebrate all night long.
Family-Friendly Mardi Gras Celebrations
- Enter the Gumbo Cook-Off at Goodness Gracious Kitchen & Cupboard. The tasty showdown takes place on February 28th from 7-9 pm. Enter, taste, and vote on the best gumbo in town at this Creole Celebration!
- Go on a hunt for the city’s best King Cake! Eaten during Mardi Gras season, these ring or crown-shaped pastries are topped with icing, sugar, sprinkles, and the colors purple, green, and gold. Hidden inside each King Cake is a small baby figurine! The kids will love eating the cake and looking for the baby! We’ve got a list of bakeries to aid you in your search.
- Throw a Mardi Gras party at home! Make or buy some masquerade masks, colored bead necklaces, and feathers. Perhaps watch a family-friendly Mardi Gras parade on TV. Introduce the kids to jazz and New Orleans food. Talk about Lent and perhaps giving up a bad habit!
- Try cooking Creole or Cajun food at home! Tailor spice levels and ingredients to your liking by cooking at home. With the Yats Chili Cheese Etouffee Recipe, you can eat like a king without leaving the house!
Authentic Food for the Whole Family
Indianaplis has some great offerings of Cajun and Creole fare. Almost all are family-friendly! My kids love Juicy Seafood and picking out what to put into the boil. We all wear our bibs and gloves. It’s quite an experience! Visit a local restaurant this Mardi Gras to get into the spirit of the season.
YATS
The chili cheese etouffee with crawfish is a must! Yats is super casual and kid-friendly with several locations in Central Indiana.
The Jazz Kitchen
A cozy music club with Cajun/Creole-accented fare.
The Quarter in Broad Ripple
Try the delicious shrimp po boys and gumbo!
Juicy Seafood
The original Cajun-style seafood boil. My kids love the bibs! Find a location near you.
Chef Borel’s Kitchen
Fuses the delicious taste of New Orleans French, west African, Caribbean, Spanish, and Native American cuisine.
Crab99
If you love Cajun food and seafood boils, this place is for you.
Trap Got Sol & Jerk Junkies
They’ve married soul food with jerk food. Try the jerk ribs.
Popeyes
Everything from the Cajun poutine to the rice and beans is served with Creole seasonings.
Chef Dan’s Food Truck
If you happen upon this food truck, try the jambalaya and Cajun fries.
Looking for more restaurants to try in the Indianapolis area? Check out our restaurant guide. Or, find out where Kids Eat Free on certain days of the week! If you are trying to taste some great Cajun food and want to party for Mardi Gras without the kids, book a babysitter and enjoy a night out!
Here are other winter date night recommendations in Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Brownsburg, Noblesville, Greenfield, Plainfield, Greenwood, and Indianapolis.
Do you celebrate Mardi Gras? What are some of your family’s traditions and favorite things to do? Share comments and photos with us below, or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!
