Craving some Big Easy vibes? From zydeco to hurricanes to King Cake, here are some New Orleans carnival season staples right here in town
by Addie Ladner and Lily Kane
You don’t have to head to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras in full color. From brass bands and masquerade parties to king cake and local Cajun fare, the Triangle is full of ways to mark Fat Tuesday in true carnival style. Bars, restaurants and event spaces across Raleigh are leaning into the season with live music, themed menus and all-day celebrations. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly outing or a late-night party, these 10 events offer plenty of ways to let the good times roll in and around Raleigh in 2026.
Celebrate with King Cake from Union Special
Legend has it that in medieval Europe, bakers tucked a fava bean into Epiphany cakes to crown a “king” for the day — and stick them with the tab for the next round of drinks. French settlers later brought the king cake tradition to North America, with the earliest mentions appearing in the 17th century in what’s now Nova Scotia. By the 20th century, the colorful, ring-shaped king cake had become a Mardi Gras mainstay in the U.S. This Carnival season, Union Special is bringing the tradition to Raleigh and is offering king cakes for sale through Feb. 17. Their version features a cinnamon-swirled cake and cream cheese icing.
Order online or in-store daily until sold out.$25; 2409 Crabtree Boulevard #102; unionspecialbread.com
Head to Sports and Social for Mardi Gras Live!
For a full-on, New Orleans-style celebration, head to Mardi Gras Live! at Sports and Social. This roaring party will feature live music, a Creole-themed menu, and classic hurricane cocktails. Get decked out in beads and masks and win festive prizes. Feeling competitive? Sign up in advance to enter the king cake-eating contest.
Feb. 14 | 12 – 4 p.m.; Free with registration; 301 Fenton Gateway Drive; sportsandsocial.com
Indulge in a Festive Meal at Rougarou
For a classic Cajun meal with local roots, bring your celebration to Rougarou Cajun Kitchen in Chapel Hill. The Cajun-focused spot will be celebrating Fat Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., making it an easy daytime stop for anyone looking to mark the holiday with something hearty and flavorful. Rougarou is also selling king cakes for $30 during the Carnival season; orders must be placed at least 48 hours in advance — so plan ahead if you want to keep the tradition going at home.
Feb. 17 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; 108 Henderson Street; 108henderson.com
Toast the Holiday with Malört at Slim’s Dive Bar
Looking for revelry in the heart of Raleigh? Longtime staple Slim’s Dive Bar is hosting a three-stage Fat Tuesday blowout, starting with a beads-and-booze hang at 5 p.m. Live music follows at 9 p.m. and runs through midnight, but the party keeps rolling until 2 a.m. Fuel the festivities with all-night specials on tequila, Tecate, and Malört.
Feb. 17 | 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.; Free; 227 S. Wilmington Street; slimsdivebar.com
Dance All Night at Pour House Music Hall
Head to the Pour House, an innovative record shop by day that turns into a live music venue and bar at night, for more evening festivities. The party starts at 8 p.m. with high-energy sounds from Chip Robinson’s Sextetto, a Raleigh-based ensemble. Local favorite Boom Unit Brass Band is also performing, making it a perfect way to dance into the night after a day of Carnival celebrations.
Feb. 17 | 8 p.m.; $12; 224 S. Blount Street; pourhouseraleigh.com
Head to Durham to Hear Bulltown Strutters at Motorco
Durham-based brass band the Bulltown Strutters have brought the music of New Orleans to the Bull City for more than 15 years with their mix of old-school jazz and new-school funk. This Mardi Gras, you can find them at Motorco Music Hall, performing alongside Cajun dance band Shamu Garcon. Along with the music and dancing, enjoy Motorco’s hurricanes on tap, as well as specials on gumbo and vegan red beans and rice. Come in costume, or as you are — all are welcome at this party.
Feb. 17 | 6 p.m.; Free; 723 Rigsbee Ave; motorcomusic.com
Celebrate at The Goat
The Goat, Brier Creek’s restaurant, social hub and event space, is offering Mardi Gras fun for the whole family this year. Guests can expect tarot card readers, jugglers, live jazz music, cocktails and a bracelet-making station spread throughout the event. The wide-ranging entertainment creates a festive, all-ages environment meant to appeal to both kids and adults.
Feb 17 | 6 – 8 p.m.; free; 5600 Primary Drive; lcgoat.com
Bring the Laughs to The Big Easy’s Stand-Up Comedy Night
Let the good times roll for one more night at The Big Easy’s Mardi Gras-themed stand-up comedy night. The evening features sets from comedians Keith Hamlin, Jack Crissey, Victoria Said It and Artsy Musa, along with festive beads, giveaways and plenty of drinks. Round out the celebration by digging into some New Orleans classics off The Big Easy’s menu, including po’ boys, beignets, and muffaletta.
Feb. 18 | 7 p.m.; $5; 222 Fayetteville Street; eventbrite.com
Make a Dinner Reservation at One of These Restaurants
Hummingbird
Hummingbird is the type of place that serves Creole-inspired fare all year like fried chicken livers, and sweet potato gnocchi. Serving both dinner and brunch, you can enjoy some of New Orleans favorites, even after Mardi Gras season, whether you order online or make a reservation to visit this establishment. Wednesday-Saturday from 5 – 10 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Road; hummingbirdraleigh.com
The Big Easy
At The Big Easy, you’ll enjoy traditional dishes you would normally find in New Orleans, all year round, not just on Mardi Gras. This establishment will guarantee an authentic dining experience. On Fat Tuesday,The Big Easy will host the band MikeMickXer, have bead giveaways and special deals on New Orleans drinks, including $7 hurricanes and $4 Abita purple haze. They’ll also be serving traditional gumbo and jambalaya from their menu.
222 Fayetteville Street; bigeasync.com
St. Roch
Just west on Wilmington Street, St. Roch is a restaurant that strives to serve “cliché-free” New Orleans cuisine. Owned by chef Sunny Gerhart, a native of New Orleans, it serves traditional dishes such as crawfish hushpuppies, crispy frog legs, smoked boudin, and other Big Easy delicacies.
223 W. Wilmington Street; strochraleigh.com
Stanbury
Blount Street’s neighborhood restaurant always shows up on Fat Tuesday with extra tables and music set up outside, making room for a traditional crawfish boil and big vats of jambalaya. Guests are invited to either dine outside or inside where they’ll have a special Creole-inspired menu. In year’s past, they’ve served up crab au gratin, deep-fried Louisiana frog legs, po’boys, crawfish étouffée, and bananas foster. 938 North Blount St.; stanburyraleigh.com
Stage a Cajun Style Festival at Home
Mardi Gras season is more than just parties, music, and Creole-inspired dishes, but also cocktail recipes if you’re feeling adventurous. With help from some local research, here’s the history and how you can prepare classic New Orleans cocktails right at home.
If you’re in the mood for an appetizer, then Vivian Howard’s recipe for shrimp cocktail might be the best dish you can serve before the main course. Howard guarantees this appetizer is fun, interactive, and can be easily made in a day if you have company.
While you can certainly dine at St. Roch, Sunny Gerhart has shared his authentic recipes for Pimento Cheese, Gumbo and Oyster Po’ Boys to make at home. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, give his petite brioche King Cakes a try for dessert as well.
Indulge in Other Locally Made Beignets and King Cake
It would be a disservice if you didn’t take advantage of the other bakeries in the area that offer festive Mardi Gras confections this time of year. Order a traditional King Cake from Lucettegrace during the week of Mardi Gras, or indulge in delicious beignets and coffee from Mr. A’s Beignets food truck. Another place you can find King Cakes is at the Triangle-based French bakery La Farm and Great Harvest Bread Company
This article was originally published on February 8, 2023 on waltermagazine.com and updated on February 09, 2026.
