Asheville Mardi Gras Parade Returns This Sunday

The Asheville Mardi Gras Parade returns to the South Slope this Sunday, February 23, 2020! The parade begins at 3:00 pm.

It’s the 13th official parade, so the theme is “Superstition” — of course! March participants are welcome to riff on this theme or go in a completely different direction because, after all, the parade is all about individuality!

Lineup and float assembly will take place in surface parking lots along Federal Alley. The parade will assemble on Federal Alley between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm. The parade will then step off at its traditional time of 3:05 PM and head east on Hilliard Ave before turning south on Coxe Ave. The parade will then continue east on Banks Ave, turn briefly south on Church St., then west on Buxton Ave. and back to Federal Alley to finish up. See the parade route map below.

Advertisement

Along with this colorful winter celebration come some traffic and parking impacts.

Street closures

Roads in the area will be closed at noon on parade day at the following points: Coxe between Hilliard and Buxton; Collier between Banks and Buxton and Federal Alley. Drivers going to private parking lots which they are permitted to use along with local business owners, floats and residents will be allowed into the parade route until the parade begins.

No cars will be permitted to leave until after the parade concludes, around 5 PM. All cars should be removed from road closure zone before noon on the day of the parade, or else they will not be able to leave until the parade’s conclusion.

Parking

All off-street parking along the parade route will be closed on Sunday — towing enforced. The city’s bright yellow NO PARKING signs will go up along the streets on Friday as advance notice of the Sunday closure.

Those who park in private lots along the parade route should plan accordingly.

Planning ahead for parking is strongly recommended. Parking garages within easy walking distance are the Biltmore Avenue/Aloft Hotel parking garage at 60 S. Lexington Ave. and the Coxe Avenue parking garage at 40 Coxe Ave. Additionally, free parking is available at McCormick Field, who has asked that no costuming or float decorating take place on the premises.

For more options, download the Asheville App to your cellphone for its Find Parking feature, which gives real-time information on parking space availability at all downtown city and county parking garages.

Note for attendees

Several South Slope establishments are planning special events before and after. With this year’s theme being “Superstition” it’s sure to be a lot of fun!

There is a request for no spectators on Hilliard Avenue. There will be no beads or throws within that section.

Once the parade concludes, you can party your way to the Funkatorium for the 13th annual Queens Ball. Find more information at https://www.facebook.com/Avlmardigras.

ART buses not affected by parade

Regular public transit services are not expected to be impacted by the parade.

Additional Info

Please visit www.ashevillemardigras.org for additional details and to follow along with new updates.