What to know about Soulard Mardi Gras this weekend: parade timing, access points, and road closures

Grand Parade set for Saturday morning in Soulard and Downtown South

Soulard’s Mardi Gras season reaches its biggest weekend with the Bud Light Grand Parade scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2026, starting at 11 a.m. The parade route runs from near Busch Stadium through Downtown South and into Soulard, ending at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Organizers list the parade as free to watch from public streets along the route.

Festival entry points and rideshare locations

Organizers are directing pedestrians into the festival footprint through designated entry points. For Saturday’s Grand Parade, published entry points include 13th & Russell, 9th & Ann, and Lafayette & Tucker. Rideshare drop-off and pickup locations are also outlined in advance, including areas near 13th & Russell, 10th & Marion, Broadway & Geyer, and 7th & Marion.

• Parade start time: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 14, 2026

• Route: Near Busch Stadium → Downtown South → Soulard → Anheuser-Busch Brewery

• Designated festival entry points: 13th & Russell; 9th & Ann; Lafayette & Tucker

Street and ramp closures expected; plan arrival times

City officials have published extensive road-closure information for Saturday tied to crowd management and public safety. Closures include major streets in and around Soulard as well as specific highway ramp shutdowns during the morning-to-afternoon window. Drivers heading into the neighborhood should expect limited access, posted no-parking zones, and blocked cross-traffic along the parade route.

Organizers also note that the parade route closes to cross-over pedestrian traffic at 10 a.m., with limited crossing locations identified at Russell and Lafayette. The practical takeaway: attendees who need to cross Broadway to reach a ticketed tent area east of the route are advised to arrive and get into position before 10 a.m.

Rules on what can be brought into the event area

Event rules for the festival area include restrictions intended to reduce safety risks and speed entry. Organizers’ posted guidance states that bottles, cans, backpacks, and coolers are not permitted.

Attendees should expect item restrictions at entry points and plan to travel light to reduce delays.

Ticketed tents, plus an after-party option downtown

While street viewing is free, multiple ticketed venues operate along the route on Saturday, including an all-day Bud Light Party Tent at Soulard Market Park (8th and Lafayette) with hours listed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a Blues Alumni Experience tent operating from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Organizers note these events are rain or shine and that ticket purchases are final.

For those continuing into the evening, Ballpark Village has promoted an “After Pardi” on February 14 with afternoon and evening drink specials and stated trolley transportation to and from Soulard.

With large crowds expected, officials are urging basic precautions: travel in groups, set a meet-up point, keep valuables out of sight, and avoid impaired driving.