New Safety Measures for Galveston Mardi Gras 2025: Parking Restrictions and Security Enhancements

Galveston is setting tighter safety rules for its Mardi Gras party, which will occur from February 21 to March 4, 2025. In light of recent security concerns, officials are focused on crowd management, traffic control, and public safety throughout the two-weekend festival.

On parade days, motorized cars, like golf carts, are not allowed on Seawall Boulevard.Cars parked on the Seawall must stay there all day Saturday until the night show ends. Stricter parking rules and higher fines will be implemented. From February 17 to 20, illegal overnight parking fines will increase from $50 to $250.

Starting February 20, some main roads downtown will close, creating areas where only pedestrians can walk. These changes will affect the stretch from Harborside Drive to Mechanic Street and between 20th and 25th Streets.

The same rules will be implemented during the second weekend, starting February 27.

The city encourages people to report suspicious behavior by saying, "If you see something, say something."

Glass bottles, drones, and fireworks are not allowed; breaking this rule can result in fines. More police officers will be sent out to help control groups and ensure rules are followed.

Island Transit services will not operate on February 22 and March 1, essential event days.

These safety changes come after growing security worries at significant events nationwide. Organizers are being extra careful after the sad New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, where 14 people died on Bourbon Street.

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If you're attending the festival, please visit the official Mardi Gras Galveston website for ticket information, music times, and parade routes. Due to new travel limits, visitors should find other ways to travel, arrange parking early, and follow the new safety rules.

By taking these steps, Galveston wants to make Mardi Gras safer and more fun for everyone.

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