Aaron Neville Highlights Mardi Gras Celebration In Panama City Beach, FL

Panama City Beach Mardi Gras & Music Festival 2018 Dates, Bands & Details

New Orleans legend Aaron Neville won’t be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras in 2018. At least for the second weekend of it.

Instead, he’ll be down the coast a bit in Panama City Beach, FL.

Panama City Beach has a two-day event with parades, costume contests, fireworks and live music, Feb. 9 – 10 (Fat Tuesday is Feb. 13). Neville will be performing at the Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater on Saturday from 1:30-3:45 p.m.

Bands start at noon that day and go until 6:45 p.m., followed by fireworks. On Friday, the music goes from 6:30-7:30 from Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band.

The event also features the return of the popular Krewe of Dominique Youx parade, an annual favorite.

“Mardi Gras is always one of the most festive weekends of the year at Panama City Beach,” said President and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach Dan Rowe. “With an all-star lineup of New Orleans musicians performing this year, this event is another wonderful opportunity to invite families back to the beach and make new memories.”

Here’s the complete schedule of events for the Panama City Beach Mardi Gras & Music Festival.

Friday, Feb. 9

4:00 – 6:30 p.m. Float Tours
4:00 – 6:30 p.m. Kids’ Fun Zone
4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Festival Village
5:00 – 5:20 p.m. Opening Remarks and Kids’ Costume Contest
5:20 – 6:00 p.m. Kids’ Parade
5:45 – 6:15 p.m. Second Line Parade
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Live Entertainment featuring Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band
7:30 p.m. Fireworks

Saturday, Feb. 10

7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Mardi Gras 5K
11:00 – 5:00 p.m. Kids’ Fun Zone
11:00 – 7:00 p.m. Festival Village
12:00 – 1:15 p.m. Live Entertainment featuring The Dirty Dozen Brass Band at the Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater.
1:30 – 3:45 p.m. Live Entertainment featuring Aaron Neville at the Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater.
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Live Entertainment featuring Waylon Thibodeaux “Louisiana Rocking Fiddler” at Celebration Stag
4:15 – 5:45 p.m. Krewe of Dominique Youx Mardi Gras at the Beach Main Parade
5:45 – 6:45 p.m. Live Entertainment featuring Vince Cance & the Valliants at Celebration Stage
7:00 p.m. Fireworks

Link: visitpanamacitybeach.com