Mardi Gras in Portland, Oregon

A holiday Mardi Gras is celebrated annually in the American city of Portland, Oregon. The annual Mardi Gras Parade and Ball is organized by the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus. Mayor Harry Lane, who is credited for starting the Portland Rose Festival, was inspired by annual Mardi Gras celebrations.[1][2]

Events

The annual Portland Mardi Gras Parade and Ball is arranged by the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus, described by Willamette Week as "Portland's community of Louisiana expats".[3] In 2023, the newspaper's Brianna Wheeler wrote: "Founded in 2010, Mysti Krewe (named for the misty Pacific Northwest atmosphere) has served as a subcommunity for Louisiana transplants and locals who simply love the culture. For 12 years, they have held a Mardi Gras ball and parade, bringing that trademark Carnival energy to the historically Black neighborhood around North Mississippi Avenue each season."[4] The group had approximately 50 members in 2012.[5]

In 2011, the Gypsy Restaurant and Velvet Lounge hosted a "Fat Tuesday Bayou Bash" with live music, a fortune teller, and a palm reader.[6]

Ball

The first ball was held in 2011.[5] In 2024, Willamette Week said the ball "is billed as one of the most authentic celebrations of Louisiana culture outside the Pelican State, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune".[7] Costumes are encouraged, and the ball has served king cake (a food associated with the holiday) and crowned a Mardi Gras king and queen.[7]

The 2012 and 2013 balls were held at Bossanova Ballroom; the theme in 2013 was "Such a Night".[5][8] The 2016 event was at the same venue and the theme was "Life is a Carnival".[9] Approximately 600 people attended the 2023 ball at Wonder Ballroom. The event's theme was "Cirque de Krewe" and music acts included BrassRoots Movement, Kris Deelane and the Hurt, Northside Bone Gang, and TooLoose Cajun Zydeco Band.[10][11] The 2025 ball's theme was "enchanted forest".[3][12] The 2026 ball was held at Wonder Ballroom on Valentine's Day and the theme was "Sea of Love".[13][14][15]

Parade

Jazz musicians Mel Brown (left, pictured in 2008) and Reggie Houston (right, pictured in 2006) were the parade's grand marshal in 2022 and 2026, respectively.

The parade is usually held along Mississippi Avenue in north Portland and includes bead throwing.[16] It features art and entertainers,[17] and businesses along the route offer Mardi Gras-themed specials.[18] In 2026, Rosemarie Stein of The Oregonian wrote, "This free, family-friendly event welcomes Portlanders of all ages in a celebration of creativity, joy and community. Expect colorful costumes, puppets, dance troupes, marching bands, circus performers, and krewes bringing their own signature flair to the streets."[19]

The 2019 event had seven marching bands, two dance groups, and three floats.[20] The 2021 event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] Jazz drummer Mel Brown was the parade's grand marshal in 2022.[21][22] Hundreds of people attended the 2023 parade.[23] In 2025, drag performer Poison Waters was the parade's grand marshal.[18][12] Jazz musician Reggie Houston is the grand marshal of the 2026 parade.[17][24]

Food

Many local restaurants have offered special menus in conjunction with Mardi Gras.[25] In 2016, the defunct Tapalaya hosted its third annual Lundi Gras Breakside Brewery Dinner in collaboration with Breakside Brewery. The restaurants Bowery Bagels and Miss Delta, as well as the defunct Acadia and Irving Street Kitchen,[6] have also served specials.[26] Other restaurants that have hosted Mardi Gras celebrations included EastBurn, as well as the defunct Brasserie Montmartre and Interurban.[27] In 2022, Screen Door served gumbo, jambalaya, cornbread, coleslaw, collard greens, and fruit crisps.[28] In 2025, the restaurant served Louisiana crawfish boil, gumbo with chicken and andouille, crawfish étouffée, and king cake.[3] Other bakeries and restaurants that have served king cake include Delta Cafe, Dos Hermanos Bakery, Eat: An Oyster Bar,[29] Helen Bernhard Bakery, La Provence and Petite Provence, the defunct NOLA Doughnuts (2015–2023),[16] and St. Honoré Boulangerie.[30][31]

Themed establishments

Portland had a bar called Voodoo Lounge, which "featured a Mardi Gras theme, as if every day were Fat Tuesday", according to The Oregonian.[32]

References

  1. ^ Hallman Jr, Tom (2020-07-30). "Portland's Rose Festival queen is crowned in a celebration of 'the beauty within each of us'". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-08-18. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  2. ^ Hallman Jr, Tom (2021-06-18). "2021 Queen of Rosaria joins mother among Portland Rose Festival royalty". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2022-04-17. Retrieved 2026-02-15. Portland Mayor Harry Lane is credited with starting the festival... He wanted a rose carnival patterned after annual Mardi Gras celebrations.
  3. ^ a b c "Fat Tuesday Is Coming: Ways to Celebrate Portland's Mardi Gras". Willamette Week. 2025-02-26. Archived from the original on 2025-11-09. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  4. ^ "Mysti Krewe of Nimbus Brings NOLA Vibes to the Rose City Every Mardi Gras". Willamette Week. 2023-07-19. Archived from the original on 2025-11-13. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  5. ^ a b c House, Kelly (2012-02-16). "Portland's Mysti Krewe of Nimbus reimagines Mardi Gras for Louisiana expats". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  6. ^ a b "Mardi Gras 2011: Portland, Hillsboro women make masks for Fat Tuesday". The Oregonian. 2011-03-05. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  7. ^ a b "What to Do in Portland (Feb. 7–13, 2024)". Willamette Week. 2024-02-07. Archived from the original on 2025-05-15. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  8. ^ White, Ryan (2013-02-01). "The music of Mardi Gras day, courtesy of Reggie Houston and Steve Kerin". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  9. ^ "Mysti Krewe of Nimbus Mardi Gras Ball". Southeast Examiner. Archived from the original on 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  10. ^ Graves, Mark (2023-02-19). "Portland's 12th annual Mardi Gras Ball packs the Wonder Ballroom". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-02-12. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  11. ^ Graves, Mark. "Portland Mardi Gras at the Wonder Ballroom 2023". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2023-02-20. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  12. ^ a b "What to Do in Portland (Feb. 26–March 4, 2025)". Willamette Week. 2025-02-26. Archived from the original on 2025-04-03. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  13. ^ Pettigrew, Jashayla. "Mardi Gras Ball, Portland Night Market among events to attend this weekend". KOIN.
  14. ^ "Dive into the "Sea of Love" at Portland's Mardi Gras Ball & Parade". KOIN. Archived from the original on 2026-01-08. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  15. ^ "From Love & Basketball to Portland's Winter Light Festival: 8 things to do this weekend". KGW. 2026-02-13. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  16. ^ a b c Swindler, Samantha (2021-02-09). "Where to find a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras king cake in Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2021-02-14. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  17. ^ a b "What to Do in Portland (Feb. 11–17, 2026)". Willamette Week. 2026-02-11. Archived from the original on 2026-02-11. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  18. ^ a b Profenna, Chiara (2025-02-05). "Poison Waters named grand marshal for Portland's 2025 Mardi Gras Parade". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-02-09. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  19. ^ Stein, Rosemarie (2026-02-11). "Valentine's Day events, 'Sleeping Beauty,' International Auto Show: 12 things to do this week". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2026-02-12. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  20. ^ "A Mardi Gras Parade, Chowder Challenge and 9 Other Things to Do and See in Portland Feb. 27-March 5". Willamette Week. 2019-02-27. Archived from the original on 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  21. ^ Nakamura, Beth. "Legendary jazz drummer Mel Brown". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  22. ^ Hallman Jr, Tom (2022-02-27). "Mel Brown, the 'Gentleman of Jazz,' will be grand marshal of Portland's 2022 Mardi Gras parade". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2023-02-28. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  23. ^ "Portland Mardi Gras parade dances down Mississippi Ave". The Oregonian. 2023-02-22. Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  24. ^ "Portland ready to 'let the good times roll' for Mardi Gras". KOIN.
  25. ^ "Eat like a Cajun with a Fat Tuesday feast". The Oregonian. 2012-02-21. Archived from the original on 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  26. ^ "How to Celebrate Fat Tuesday, Portland-Style". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  27. ^ DeJesus, Erin (2012-02-21). "Fat Tuesday: Where to Celebrate Mardi Gras in Portland". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  28. ^ "The Best Portland Area Spots to Celebrate Mardi Gras". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2022-03-22. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  29. ^ Walsh, Chad (2016-02-05). "See How Portland Does Mardi Gras at These 13 Restaurants, Mapped". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2021-11-28. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  30. ^ Profenna, Chiara (2025-01-03). "Where to buy king cake for Epiphany, Mardi Gras celebrations in Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-08-29. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  31. ^ Profenna, Chiara (2025-01-08). "What is king cake and why is it eaten for Epiphany and Mardi Gras?". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2026-01-06. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  32. ^ Butler, Grant (2017-05-25). "Tight jeans, strong drinks and disco queens: A visual history of Portland nightclubs". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
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