Get ready to groove, Little Rock! The 15th SoMardi Gras Parade, Street Festival, and Beard Contest, presented by Rock Town Distillery, is set to transform the streets of SoMa into a disco fever dream on Saturday, March 1, 2025. The festivities will run from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the New Orleans-style parade rolling at noon, rain or shine. The event is free and open to the public – all are welcome.
Disco Inferno: Parade and Festival Highlights
- The Parade: Kicking off at noon, the SoMardi Gras Parade will dazzle with floats, costumes, and a sea of disco-themed creativity.
- The Beard and Mustache Contest: At 1:00 p.m., directly following the parade, the Beard Contest will return to crown the best beards and mustaches in Arkansas.
- Small Businesses: SoMa’s 30+ locally owned restaurants and shops will offer Mardi Gras specials and activities.
- Street Festival: From 12th to 17th Street on Main, enjoy live music, dozens of street vendors, and food trucks.
- Kid Zone: The whole family will enjoy the Kid Zone, featuring a science-based bead-making sponsored by Science en Vivo, and other family-friendly activities to entertain and engage.
Pre-Party Fundraiser for the SoMa Postcard Mural
Kick off the celebration early at the SoMardi Gras Pre-Party, happening on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m.This ticketed event serves as a fundraiser for the planned SoMa Postcard Mural, a vibrant testament to the neighborhood’s welcoming, eclectic spirit. The mural is set to be installed in 2025 if fully funded. More details regarding the pre-party will be announced in upcoming weeks.
Got Beads?
If you have extra Mardi Gras beads to donate for the parade, please email Events@SoMaLittleRock.com.
https://www.somalittlerock.com/somardigras.
Produced & Presented by SoMa 501
SoMa 501 (formerly Southside Main Street Project, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing economic development, public relations, historic integrity and quality of life for the citizens of the SoMa district in Little Rock.
