Go Oak Cliff will once again bring the revelry of Mardi Gras to the streets of Oak Cliff with their annual Mardi Gras Oak Cliff celebration, February 14th and 15th.
The two-day celebration features the OCarnivale Masquerade Ball and the Mardi Gras Oak Cliff parade, complete with marching bands, floats, classic cars, and more. Also hosted in Oak Cliff this weekend is the Dash for the Beads, a spirited 5K that includes a costume contest and post-race party at Kidd Springs Park.
The OCarnivale Masquerade Ball is on Valentine’s Day. Enjoy dinner from the King of the Alligator Cafe, Ivan Pugh, as part of the price of admission. The buffet includes plenty of Cajun and Creole favorites. Dance under the neon of the historic Kessler Theater, located at 1230 W Davis Street. Proceeds from the ball benefit the Mardi Gras Oak Cliff parade. Go Oak Cliff expects to sell out before Saturday morning, so no tickets will be available at the door. Purchase tickets here.
The annual Mardi Gras Oak Cliff Parade is on Sunday, February 15th. Enjoy marching bands, festive floats, and infamous entries like the Sheriff’s Posse and the World Famous Free Wheelie-ing Elvi, all while catching beads. This family-friendly parade rolls at 4 o’clock sharp down West Davis from Windomere Avenue to the Bishop Arts District. A map of the route can be found online.
Parking is always a hot commodity in Oak Cliff. Methodist Dallas Medical Center has agreed to open the parking lot at the southwest corner of Colorado and Bishop for parade attendees. Then it’s just a short walk up to the route and the heart of the action. Click here for parade route map.
Just a few tips as you head out on Sunday:
Open container laws are in full effect
This is a family-friendly event
Help us keep Oak Cliff clean by not littering
If you choose to park in the neighborhoods, please be courteous and don’t block our neighbors’ driveways
Want a place to watch the parade while you enjoy an adult beverage? Check out these watch parties:
Nova (1417 W Davis St.)
PhD (1300 W Davis St.) features live music by The Cliff!, Cajun food, and huge hurricanes
Oddfellows (316 W 7th St.) featuring beignets, jambalaya hurricanes, and custom beads
Eno’s Pizza Tavern (407 N Bishop Ave.)
For a post-parade celebration, head over to the Local Oak for a live performance from Big Chief, Four Corners brew, and swamp dogs.
photos provided by Elliott Munoz
