Family Gras returns to Metairie on February 6 and 7, 2026, offering a free music festival alongside parade viewing on Veterans Memorial Boulevard. The event features performances by classic rock acts and tributes, with family-friendly activities and food options. Gates open Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m.
The Family Gras festival, held across from Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie, integrates live music with the Excalibur parade on Friday, February 6, and the Magical Krewe of MadHatters parade on Saturday, February 7. This annual event celebrates Mardi Gras with a vibrant lineup of performers, pausing for the parades to pass through.
On Friday, the music starts at 4 p.m. with Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone, the original singer of the 1960s British pop band, which still includes other founding members. Country artist Karen Waldrup, a finalist on NBC’s “The Voice,” joins the bill, alongside the Tom Petty tribute band Heartbreakers Jukebox.
Saturday’s festivities begin at 11 a.m., headlined by 1990s alt-rock group Gin Blossoms and Nashville’s Lady A, formerly known as Lady Antebellum. Additional acts include The Rocketmen, an Elton John tribute band; Uncle Kracker, the turntablist Matthew Shafer from Kid Rock’s circle; and local family group The Imagination Movers. Bands perform throughout the day, with breaks for parade processions.
Beyond music, Family Gras provides a kids’ area with face painting, games, and activities, plus an art market featuring vendors selling Carnival costume accessories. Ten food vendors offer barbecue, tacos, Cajun, and Creole dishes. The event is free to attend, though VIP passes provide front-of-stage viewing, backstage access, and limited food and drinks. Veterans Memorial Boulevard closes to traffic during festival hours. For details, visit familygras.com.
This setup allows families to enjoy parades and entertainment in a convenient, car-free zone, enhancing the Mardi Gras experience in Jefferson Parish.
