Asheville city officials have announced the date, time, and route for the annual South Slope Mardi Gras parade. The event is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, 2026, in the South Slope brewery district of downtown Asheville.
Key Event Details
The Mardi Gras parade will begin at 3:05 p.m. The family-friendly event will feature beads, brass bands, floats, dancers, drummers, and krewes. The theme is "Life Is a Carnival." Lineup and float assembly will begin at noon on Southside Avenue between Biltmore Avenue and Short Coxe Avenue.
Federal Alley is the primary gathering spot for krewes and marchers between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to see the costumes up close before the "step off."
An after-party, "The Queen’s Ball," will take place at Wicked Weed Funkatorium from 5:30-9:30 p.m. The official program is scheduled to begin around 6 p.m. and is free to the public.
Parade Route
The parade will start at the intersection of Southside Avenue and Coxe Avenue. From there, it will proceed north on Coxe Avenue, loop around via Buxton Avenue and Banks Avenue, and conclude at the northern end of Coxe Avenue.
Street Closures
Several streets will be closed from noon to approximately 6 p.m. These closures include:
Southside Avenue (Biltmore Ave. to Short Coxe Ave.)
Coxe Avenue (Hilliard Ave. to Southside Ave.)
Collier Avenue (Banks Ave. to Millard Ave.)
S. Church Street & S. Lexington Avenue (Banks Ave. to Southside Ave.)
Banks Avenue
Buxton Avenue
Millard Avenue
On-street parking along the parade route will be prohibited, and towing will be enforced. NO PARKING signs will be posted starting Friday.
Parking and Access
Attendees are encouraged to use city parking garages such as the Biltmore Avenue/Aloft garage at 60 S. Lexington Ave. or the Sears Alley garage at 11 Sears Alley. Real-time parking availability can be checked online. Access to private lots will be permitted until the noon closure, but exiting may be delayed until after the street cleanup is complete. Asheville Rides Transit services will remain unaffected.
City officials advise attendees to plan ahead due to the anticipated street closures during the annual event, which draws crowds to the South Slope.