Mardi Gras parade set to roll Feb.7, spring events open registration
By Toni Miles
Thousands are expected to line the streets of downtown Long Beach for this year’s CALB Mardi Gras Parade, scheduled for Saturday, February 7, at 6 p.m.
Let the good times roll – and the Carnival Association of Long Beach’s (CALB’s) Team McMahon-Seal is rolling things out in preparation for their annual CALB Mardi Gras Parade.
This year’s parade is set to take place on Saturday, February 7, in downtown Long Beach at 6 p.m. The parade is open to the public and free to attend.
Roads along the parade route will shut down at 5:30 p.m. on parade day. Floats will gather at the Long Beach High School stadium at the staging area before the parade begins, then the procession will head south on Cleveland Avenue, turn west down Railroad Street, turn south on Jeff Davis Avenue, turn east at the intersection of Jeff Davis and Highway 90 to run along the Long Beach Harbor, then turn north back up Cleveland Avenue, with a final turn west on 1st Street, ending at the Town Green.
Those who plan to attend are advised to bring a bag to collect their parade throws. Parade-goers are also encouraged to stake out a spot on the parade route early for the best view.
The night before the annual parade takes place, the CALB Mardi Gras Ball will be held – Friday, February 6 – featuring this year’s Royal Court, including Queen Rosalie and King Scott LXIV.
Other events planned for this spring are getting a jump start on registration.
A Jeep rolls through to receive a blessing at last year’s Blessing of the Jeeps event. This year’s event is set to take place at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church on Saturday, April 11.
6th Annual Blessing of the Jeeps
Registration for the 6th Annual Blessing of the Jeeps 2026 is officially open. The popular celebration draws thousands of Jeep enthusiasts to the City of Long Beach each year, where the festivities and blessing of the Jeeps take place on the grounds of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.
This year’s Blessing of the Jeeps is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church located at 702 Beach Boulevard in Long Beach.
To register or purchase tickets for this year’s Blessing of the Jeeps, head over to the Blessing of the Jeeps-MS Facebook page. T-shirts and badges are also available now for purchase.
Blessing of the Jeeps is a non-profit fundraising event that benefits Saint Thomas’s Lifeteen group and has historically been a day filled with blessings and camaraderie for Jeep owners and fans alike, enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life. After a day of music, food and activities entered around the off-road vehicles, Jeeps line up to receive a blessing for a safe Jeeping season.
18th Annual Jeepin’ the Coast
Ready! Set! Roll! This is the official theme of Jeepin’ the Coast, an annual event that rolled out eighteen years ago in the Friendly City – a popular, ever-growing event that draws thousands to the Coast each year.
The 18th Annual Jeepin’ the Coast celebration is set to take place May 27 through May 31 this year in Long Beach. The deadline to register for this year’s JTC event is April 30. For more information, visit JeepinTheCoast.com.
