Asheville Mardi Gras Parade returns Sunday!

The Asheville Mardi Gras Parade returns to the South Slope this Sunday, February 27

 This year’s theme: The Great Comeback Carnival

Times and Routes:
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Line up and float assembly at Rabbit Rabbit (75 Coxe Ave.)
3:05 p.m.                     Traditional Step Off
The parade will enter onto Coxe Ave. above Hilliard Ave. 

The route takes the parade south on Coxe Ave and wraps along the streets of Banks Ave. and Buxton Ave. before returning to Rabbit Rabbit to disassemble. 

 
Join the Fun!
Several South Slope establishments are planning special events before and after. With this year’s theme being The Great Comeback Carnival it’s sure to be a lot of fun!

Public viewing of the parade is encouraged south of Hilliard. 

Parade participants are also encouraged to hold onto those beads until they’re south of Hilliard. 

Street Closures:
Streets along the parade route will formally close to vehicle traffic at 12:00 p.m. Sunday and reopen once clean-up is complete, about 6:00 p.m.

Closures will include:

        Coxe Ave., between Hilliard Ave. and Buxton Ave. 
        Collier Ave.,  Lexington Ave. and Church St. between Banks Ave. and Buxton Ave.
        Coxe Ave between Sawyer St and Hilliard Ave. will be closed for parade step off from 3:05 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Drivers, local business owners, floats and residents going to private permitted parking lots will be allowed access until the parade begins.

Parking:
All off-street parking along the parade route will be closed on Sunday. Towing will be enforced.  The City’s bright yellow NO PARKING signs will go up along the route 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.

ART  Impacts:
Due events on and around Coxe Ave. some ART routes and stops will be impacted.  

Routes Impacted:  

N5
S5
W6
Stops Impacted: 

Stop #658 Coxe Ave at Hilliard
Stop #600 Hilliard Ave at Coxe Ave
Stop #601 Hilliard at Lexington Ave
Stop #657 Hilliard At Lexington Ave
Detours will be in place at 3:05pm until 3:30pm on Sunday Feb. 27

Please check the Service Alerts page  to stay informed on any additional service changes.