10 Mardi Gras Events in Chicago You Won’t Want to Miss

Elena Smentkowski Staff Writer February 4, 2026 With Valentine’s Day happenings dominating your feed, you might’ve forgot that “Fat Tuesday” is also coming up this month on February 17 ! Luckily for Chicagoans, there’s no need to head all the way to New Orleans to enjoy the Mardi Gras 2026 festivities. Here’s a look at some of the best events in Chicago where you can definitely laissez les bons temps rouler! Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-Off and Fat Tuesday Party at Cody’s Public House ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The spirit of New Orleans is alive in Lake View this Mardis Gras at Cody’s Public House. The beloved watering hole is celebrating with two full days of fun this month. First up is a Nola-style Gumbo cook-off on Sunday, February 15. Seasoned cooks and amateurs are welcome to bring their creations, with cash prizes on the table. Drink specials like $10 Hurricanes and Sazeracs will be flowing all day. On Fat Tuesday, February 17, head to Cody’s for the ultimate Mardis Gras party and free Nola-style buffet. Expect gumbo, jambalaya, rice, cornbread, and other cajun eats, plus $10 hurricanes and other drink specials all night. Cody’s Public House – 1658 W. Barry Ave. February 15, 2026 – February 17, 2026 Fat Tuesday Bash at Easy Bar -------------------------------- Easy Bar and New Belgium Brewing are throwing the ultimate Mardi Gras bash this Fat Tuesday. It all kicks off on February 17 with a half-price happy hour from 4 – 6 p.m. From there, guests will enjoy $4 beers, seltzers, and ciders all night long, plus $5.50 domestic bottles and cans. Revelers can also snag a free slice of King Cake from local legend Scafuri Bakery while supplies last! Easy Bar – 1944 W. Division St. February 17, 2026 Fat Tuesday Hurricanes and Late-Night Dance Party at Estelle’s ------------------------------------------------------------------ What better way to celebrate Mardi Gras than discount hurricanes and an all night dance party? Enjoy all that and more at Estelle’s this Fat Tuesday. Guests will enjoy live DJ tunes, along with $6 hurricane shots and $10 hurricane cocktails. Be sure to get there early for a half-price happy hour from 4 – 6 p.m. and grab a set of free festive beads to get in the spirit! Estelle’s – 2013 W North Ave February 17, 2026 Fat Tuesday Frozen Hurricanes at Central Park Bar ----------------------------------------------------- The good times are rolling at Central Park Bar this Fat Tuesday, with a $6 frozen hurricane special all night long! Revelers can also stop by early for a half price happy hour from 4 – 7 p.m. Central Park Bar – 2924 N Central Park Ave. February 17, 2026 Ina Mae Tavern Mardi Gras Pop-Up: Fat Tuesday Celebration --------------------------------------------------------- Ina Mae’s is your one-stop spot for all things Mardi Gras this season! The Wicker Park Southern staple is celebrating the holiday all month long, including an extra special [Fat Tuesday pop-up](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ina-mae-tavern-mardi-gras-pop-up-fat-tuesday-celebration-all-day-tickets-1981238365284?aff=ebdssbdestsearch) on February 17. Stop by starting at noon for a festive food menu, all-day drink specials, and a late night burlesque show. Ina Mae’s Tavern – 1415 N Wood St. February 17, 2026 Wicker Park Mardi Gras Bar Crawl -------------------------------- The ultimate all-night [Mardi Gras bar crawl](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-official-mardi-gras-bar-crawl-chicago-wicker-park-tickets-1970620151922?aff=ebdssbdestsearch) is going down this weekend in Chicago from 4 p.m. Saturday until 1 a.m. Sunday! Grab your friends and come together for a crawl of some of Wicker Park’s favorite hot spots including Bangers and Lace, Black Hole Bar, Swig, InnJoy, and others. Various locations February 7, 2026 – February 8, 2026 Annual Mardi Gras Party at Blue Bayou ------------------------------------- Blue Bayou is bringing the Big Easy to Chicago this month! Throw Valentine’s Day out the window and head to the beloved Lakeview spot for an all-out [Mardi Gras bash](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-at-blue-bayou-tickets-1981882366509?aff=ebdssbdestsearch) on February 14. Guests will enjoy New Orleans–style brass band music, burlesque performances on their Big Easy Rooftop, and of course hurricanes and generous beer pours all n ight! Blue Bayou is also giving away a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2027 to one lucky winner. Blue Bayou – 3734 N Southport Ave. February 14, 2026 Packzi making class at Bettie’s ------------------------------- This Fat Tuesday, you can learn how to make your own authentic paczki with Bettie’s cooking classes! In this 2 hour [paczki-making class](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/homemade-packzi-donut-baking-workshop-tickets-1978306490969?aff=ebdssbdestsearch) , head chef Kristin Hoffman will guide attendees through the process of making, frying, and filling their own paczki to take home. Bettie’s Chicago – 853 N Larrabee St. February 17, 2026 2:30 p.m. Fat Tuesday Free Music Bingo and Live Music at aliveOne ------------------------------------------------------- aliveOne in Lincoln Park is bringing the Mardi Gras energy this Fat Tuesday with a full night of music, games, and drink specials. Guests can sip $6 Abita Purple Haze beers and half-off everything (excluding shots) from 5 – 7 p.m. There will also be free music bingo and free live tunes all night. aliveOne – 2683 N Halsted St February 17, 2026 Fat Tuesday Late-Night Dance Party at The Owl --------------------------------------------- The Owl is Logan Square’s favorite 4 a.m. bar and this Mardi Gras the celebration is going all night long. The festivities start with a half-price happy hours from 5 – 7 p.m. and from there it’s $5 draft beers and a DJ dance party til close. The Owl – 2521 N Milwaukee Ave. February 10, 2026 Source: https://secretchicago.com/chicago-mardi-gras-things-to-do-2026/