Mardi Gras on Main Street · Early January
The King’sParade
The River City opens Mardi Gras season its own way. Floats roll up Main Street to the riverfront, and two neighbors are crowned River King and Moss Queen. Free, joyous, and all Moss Point.
What it is
The first parade of the season.
Every January, as Mardi Gras season opens along the Gulf, the King’s Parade rolls up Main Street to the downtown riverfront with floats, music, and the whole River City lining the route. It is the Coast’s first day parade of the new season, and it belongs to Moss Point.
Moss Point Main Street puts it on, and there is nothing complicated about it: neighbors, floats, and music, out on the street together to start the year.
The crown of the River City
The River King and the Moss Queen.
Each year the parade crowns two citizens as the River King and the Moss Queen, chosen for their dedication to Moss Point. They lead the parade, and when it ends, City Hall lights up in Mardi Gras colors.
From the parade
Royalty, brass, and beads.
On the day
What to expect.
Floats and music
A rolling procession of color and sound up Main Street to the water.
The royal court
The River King and Moss Queen lead the River City into Carnival.
Throws and beads
Purple, green, and gold, the whole family lining the route.
City Hall lit up
The celebration closes with City Hall glowing in Mardi Gras colors.
“We’re an authentic, joyous community, celebrating family and community.”Sue Wright, Moss Point Main Street, to WLOX
The River City opens Carnival its own way.
Be part of itHow it started
Why January?
Mardi Gras season does not start on Fat Tuesday. It starts the first week of January, when the king cakes come out and krewes wake up all along the Gulf. The King’s Parade was made for that first weekend, rolling in the daylight right up Main Street to the river.
The first parade rolled in January 2024 and crowned the very first River King and Moss Queen. It has rolled every January since, opening Mardi Gras the River City way.
Plan your day
Line the route.
- Up Main Street to the riverfrontThrough downtown Moss Point.
- Early JanuaryThe 2026 parade rolled Saturday, January 3. Watch our channels for this year’s date.
- Free to watchLine the route anywhere along Main Street.
- Want to ride?Parade entries are welcome. Reach out to enter a float or group.
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