Celebrating Mardi Gras with Kids in Champaign-Urbana

How to celebrate Mardi Gras in style with kids

Enjoy a family-friendly Mardi Gras celebration in Champaign-Urbana

We might not have parade floats or a French Quarter in Champaign-Urbana, but we can still celebrate Mardi Gras in style! In 2026, the celebration of Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday” falls on Feb. 17.

How to create Mardi Gras fun for your family

Beads: You need plenty of beads to toss to little ones. (Just keep the tossin’ tame.) The traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold date from the late 1800’s; they were used in New Orleans in parades put on by some of the same social clubs (or krewes) that are still active there today.

Dollar Stores (Champaign/Urbana/Savoy): A great source of cheap decorations for any party or event, including beads.

King Cake: This Mardi Gras delicacy is a simple cake, but delicious in its simplicity; try a recipe here. The King Cake is made round to represent a crown. (Oh, and it also has a tiny little plastic baby baked inside, so there’s that.) Decorate with green, yellow, and purple icing or sprinkles, stuff a tiny plastic baby inside, and voilà — King Cake.

If you can’t find a tiny plastic baby, you can also use a bean, a pecan half, or a coin. The coin makes us a little nervous; we’re all tiny baby or bust in our King Cake. Just make sure you don’t swallow the baby!

The person who finds the baby, bean, or coin is the “King” of the celebration. We make this paper jester hat before we serve our King Cake, and whoever finds the baby gets to wear the hat. Tradition dictates that the “King” must also host the next party, but good luck with that if your King is also your minor child.

There are several local options for purchasing King Cakes. Our recommendation: call ahead to order or reserve your King Cake at all of these establishments.

• Rick’s Bakery, Urbana
• Central Illinois Bakehouse (sold at Pekara and Martinelli’s Market in Champaign)
• RegCakes, Urbana, for gluten-free King Cake

Want more sustenance for your celebration? Piato Catering puts together quite the spread featuring Andouille Jambalaya with Rice, Chicken Gumbo and Muffuletta Sandwich with Ham, Salami, Provolone and Olive Spread (vegetarian option available, too). Order by Friday, Feb. 13 and pickup Feb. 17; delivery available for an additional fee.

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Celebrate: You’ve stocked up on beads. You’ve located a tiny plastic baby and baked/bought/put copious multicolored sprinkles on a King Cake. Now grab some pots for drums, add a whistle if you can find it, and make your own impromptu parade around the house. No one to catch all the beads you want to throw? Line up an audience of plush toys to take in your revelry. Bonus: No tears when the beads accidentally whack Old Nutty the Panda in the face!

Carnaval! at Krannert Center – tickets required

Patrons are invited to bring Mardi Gras masks and dress up to dance and play casino games while enjoying the José Gobbo Quintet and Bloco Gavilão in the Lobby beginning at 6 p.m. on Feb. 17. There will be a family crafts section with face painting and an opportunity for children to make their own shakers and play with the band. At 7:30, all will head to the Great Hall for an unforgettable concert. Dancing will follow in the lobby. Get tickets here.

Mardi Gras Events in Champaign-Urbana

Are there local and family-friendly Mardi Gras celebrations we’ve missed? Email us and let us know!

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