Kids & Kritters Mardi Gras Parade — Pensacola Beach 2027

Mardi Gras season on the Gulf Coast kicks off with one of the most delightful parades you'll find anywhere: the Kids and Kritters Parade on Pensacola Beach, happening January 23, 2027. Children and their beloved pets are invited to register and march in this free, colorful celebration right along one of America's most beautiful stretches of emerald coastline.

The parade moves along Via de Luna Drive with costumed kids, festive floats, and pets dressed for the occasion — it's a dose of pure, unscripted joy that draws families from across the Panhandle. Spectators line the route to cheer on the tiny participants and their four-legged friends, with the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico as a backdrop. After the parade disbands at Gulfside Pavilion, the celebration continues with live music and a festive awards ceremony.

For families staying in Destin or Miramar Beach, Pensacola Beach is a beautiful 45-minute drive west along the Gulf Coast — absolutely worth it for this one-of-a-kind experience. Pair the parade with lunch on the beach and an afternoon swim for a perfect winter day on the Gulf.