Mardi Gras fun returns to downtown Asheville Sunday, February 15, 2026. There will be route and traffic impacts as our community comes together to Let the Good Times Roll!
Times and Routes
12:00 p.m. Line up and float assembly begins on Southside Avenue between Biltmore and Short Coxe Avenue
3:05 p.m. Traditional Step Off
The parade will enter the south end of Coxe Ave. at the intersection with Southside Ave. The route takes the parade north on Coxe Ave. and wraps along the streets of Buxton Ave. and Banks Ave. before exiting back onto the north end of Coxe Ave. to disassemble.
Street Closures
Streets along the parade route will formally close to vehicle traffic at 12:00 p.m. Sunday and reopen once clean-up is complete, about 6:00 p.m.
Closures will include:
- Southside Ave. between Biltmore and Short Coxe Ave.
- Coxe Ave. between Hilliard Ave. and Southside Ave.
- Collier Ave. between Banks Ave. and Millard Ave.
- S. Church & S. Lexington between Banks Ave. and Southside Ave.
- Banks Ave.
- Buxton Ave.
- Millard Ave.
Parking
All on-street parking along the parade route will be closed on Sunday, Fen. 15. Towing will be enforced. The City’s NO PARKING signs will go up along the route on Friday as advance notice of the Sunday closure.
Those who park in private lots within the area of closure should plan accordingly. Drivers, local business owners, workers, and residents going to private parking lots will be allowed access until the roads close but should keep in mind they will not be able to exit the area until after the parade cleanup is complete.
Planning ahead for parking is strongly recommended. City parking garages within easy walking distance are the Biltmore Avenue/Aloft Hotel parking garage at 60 S. Lexington Ave. and the Sears Alley parking garage at 11 Sears Alley. Find real-time availability in our City parking garages.
Transit
We do not anticipate any impacts to ART services as a result of parade closures.