Family Gras kicks off Mardi Gras in Metairie for 2024

Carnival season is here and there is no biggest celebration to kick things off in Jefferson Parish than Family Gras. This year Family Gras will be held on Friday, February 2nd - Sunday, February 4th. Located in Mardi Gras Plaza, right on the parade route in Metairie, Family Gras provides 3 days of good music, food and family-friendly fun followed by the Krewes of Excalibur, Mad Hatters and Atlas parades.

This year's lineup includes performances by Amanda Shaw, Zebra, Cheap Trick, Amy Grant, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tyler Hubbard from Florida Georgia Line and more.

Family Gras is a completely FREE event that features the spectacle of Mardi Gras parades, cuisine, local art, a kids' court, and outdoor concerts by national artists as well as your Louisiana favorites.

Photo byFamily Gras

Family Gras which was established in 2007 features a wide variety of musical talent that the entire family can enjoy. Past performers include Leann Rimes, the Beach Boys, Brett Eldredge, Cyndi Lauper, Martina McBride, Ann Wilson, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Marshall Tucker Band, The Pointer Sisters, Zac Brown Band, Lauren Aliana and more.

Terrie Birkel, Chief Operating Officer/Vice President of Marketing Jefferson Convention and Visitors Bureau said, "Family Gras is a celebration of all things Mardi Gras… Local Culture, Parades, Music, Food, and People! A family-friendly destination, Jefferson Parish invites families to the annual Family Gras event to experience a variety of activities and musical entertainment, satisfying the young and young at heart. From the pageantry of the parades, live concerts, and art vendors, to the kid's court, Family Gras has kept the good times rolling for the entire family since 2007.”

Photo byFamily Gras

While at Family Gras you can shop at the art market for items such as Louisiana photography, hair accessories, hand-crafted jewelry and more. The Kids' Court has various activities for children ages 12 and younger, such as face painting, hand-wax art, and interactive games.

Feed your appetite with a delicious dish from one of the many food vendors who will be serving up shrimp po-boys, chicken and andouille gumbo, crawfish mac-n-cheese, Louisiana style meat pies, California sushi, spicy tuna tacos, crab and tuna wonton nachos and more.

Admission to Family Gras is FREE but 3-day VIP passes are available now for purchase on Ticketmaster at Family Gras 2024