ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Mardi Gras will return to downtown Asheville on Sunday, Feb. 15, with a parade and related street closures.
Key details include:
- Event: Mardi Gras Parade
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026
- Location: Downtown Asheville
Parade schedule
- Noon: Lineup and float assembly begin
- 3:05 p.m.: Parade steps off
- Around 6 p.m.: Streets reopen following cleanup
Parade route
- Starts at Southside Avenue and Coxe Avenue
- Travels north on Coxe Avenue
- Loops around Buxton Avenue and Banks Avenue
- Returns to Coxe Avenue to exit
Street and parking closures
- Streets along the parade route will close at noon and reopen after cleanup
- All on-street parking along the route will be closed Sunday
- Towing will be enforced
Affected streets include
- Southside Avenue between Biltmore Avenue and Short Coxe Avenue
- Coxe Avenue between Hilliard Avenue and Southside Avenue
- Collier Avenue between Banks Avenue and Millard Avenue
- South Church Street and South Lexington Avenue between Banks Avenue and Southside Avenue
- Banks Avenue
- Buxton Avenue
- Millard Avenue
Parking options
- Biltmore Avenue/Aloft Garage: 60 S. Lexington Ave.
- Sears Alley Garage: 11 Sears Alley
Officials recommend checking real-time garage availability before arriving downtown.
Transit
- Asheville Rides Transit bus service is not expected to be impacted.
City officials encourage residents, workers and visitors to plan ahead for closures while attending the celebration.