Funeral Industry Networking Event (FINE) - Mardi Gras Party
Fri, Feb 06
|Island ETC
Gate entry is managed by Mardi Gras Galveston, not the SETFDA. Mardi Gras Galveston Entry tickets are available at https://www.mardigrasgalveston.com/tickets/ or at the gate. Free entry is available with a DECORATED umbrella per person. We have some available at the First Baptist Church parking lot.
Time & Location
Feb 06, 2026, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Island ETC, 2317 Mechanic St, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
About the event
Come join us at the Island East-End Theater Company for a night of fun at Mardi Gras Galveston! Texas's largest Mardi Gras! We kick the evening off with THE FAB5 Block Party at 5:00 PM, followed by the George P. Mitchell and Newe Krewe Award Presentations at 5:30 PM. Congratulations to our past president, Jay Carnes, for his receipt of the George P. Mitchell award this year! There are 3 parades on opening night, at 7:30, 8:30, and 10:00 PM. More details about the parades are below and on the schedule page. Free Parking availability and information is below.
Free Parking at First Baptist Church Galveston (see below)
Food Provided
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
King Cake
Cash Bar
Drink tickets are available for pre-purchase online alongside your admission ticket.
You can also purchase drink tickets at the event from our check-in desk. (Cash & Card accepted)
Private Restrooms
Private Viewing of all 3 Parades for the evening
Option to walk in the Umbrella Parade with your Umbrella or purchase to ride in the Umbrella Parade on one of Jay Carnes's Floats. (See details below for purchase information)
Access to watch the concerts on the Strand separately (see who's playing when below and on the Mardi Gras Galveston website)
Access to food and drink vendors throughout Mardi Gras Galveston
Free Parking for the SETFDA Party will be at First Baptist Church Galveston, 822 23rd St, Galveston, TX 77550, a 10-minute walk from our venue.
Head straight down 23rd. Street
Entry Gate at 23rd & Mechanic (Show your umbrella per person for free entry show/purchase tickets otherwise)
Turn Left
Island East End Theater Company is halfway down the block and on the left.
Gate entry is managed by Mardi Gras Galveston, not the SETFDA. Free entry is possible with a DECORATED umbrella per person, where you can then join the Umbrella Brigade Parade at 8:30. We will have umbrellas available at the First Baptist Church parking lot. Tickets for entry are also available for purchase at https://www.mardigrasgalveston.com/tickets/ or at the gate. Early bird pricing and bundle discounts are available from Mardi Gras Galveston, so take a look and see what they have to offer! Spend the weekend in Galveston celebrating Mardi Gras after the SETFDA Party!
AB Sea Sales and Rentals also has a Mardi Gras Galveston Vacation Special! You can rent one of their beachfront condos near all of the Mardi Gras attractions. Details can be found on the flyer below.
THE FAB5 Block Party - 5:00 PM
Watch the George P. Mitchell Honoree & special guests arrive to the Tremont House with live music by legendary Beatles cover band, THE FAB 5, kicking off the Friday night celebration.
George P. Mitchell and Newe Krewe Award Presentations - 5:30 PM - Congratulations, Jay Carnes!
The George P. Mitchell Award was established to honor Mitchell and other individuals, corporations, foundations and groups vital to Mardi Gras’ rebirth and preservation. The Newe Krewe Award was established in 2024 and honors the new, exciting krewes that have sprung up since 2011. Each year the recipients are honored with a ceremony in front of The Tremont House and names are added to a plaque that hangs in the lobby of The Tremont House then the Salute to George P. Mitchell Parade honoring him and the award recipients begins, marking the start of Mardi Gras! Galveston festivities.
This year, our very own past president, Jay Carnes, will receive this award!
George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Honoree Parade - 7:30 PM
Following the George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Presentation, this is the first parade to Kick Off Mardi Gras Galveston 2025! This parade is packed with marching bands, dancing squads & tons of energy. Also rolling in this party parade is Carne’s Fleet of Bumpin’ Busses, The Union Fire Truck & various local Floats throwing Beads & other Mardi Gras treats! Get ready to shake it!
Parade Route: Starts at 25th & Mechanic Street, circles around Mechanic & Strand Street, stretching from 25th to 20th
The Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade - 8:30 PM
The Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade has been breaking World Records for having the most decorated umbrellas in a single parade since 2011. Returning in 2019 with an impressive 1,980 participants, paraders danced along on their route, stopping to perform the “Hokey Pokey” under the iconic Mardi Gras Arch next to The Tremont Hotel. Over the years, fans from all around Texas have traveled to Mardi Gras! Galveston to claim a spot in the Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade. This lively, bedazzled parade continues to gain momentum and an even bigger turn-out is predicted for 2025.
In memory of Mary Pregler
Parade Route
Da Krewe du Roux’s Gumbeaux Gras Parade - 10:00 PM
NEW to 2026! Newe Krewe award winner, “Da Krewe du Roux”, will present their very own parade complete with festive floats throwing beads and trinkets, including their signature hand decorated flip flops! Da Krewe du Roux is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the local El Mina Shriners and Ronald McDonald House of Galveston.
Parade Route:
Entertainment Line Up
Steph Cash Band
5:15 PM
Corona Extra Stage
Brandon McDermott Band
7:30 PM
Corona Extra Stage
DJ Shayan
8:00 PM
Electric Mardi Gras!
DJ Bruce Waine
10:00 PM
Electric Mardi Gras!
Mardi Gras! Street Circus
Rotating acts throughout the evening
22nd Street Stage
Tickets
SETFDA Party Admission
Ticket includes admission to the SETFDA Event only. For admission to Mardi Gras Galveston, you must purchase tickets from mardigrasgalveston.com, or at the gate on the day of.
$35.00
Beer
$5.00
Mixed Drink
$10.00
Total
$0.00