Celebrating 30 years
Carnivale Parade
Saturday, February 18, 2023
2023 Carnivale Parade
It’s tradition in Manitou Springs to march down Manitou Avenue and celebrate Mardi Gras in true fun and funky color that Manitou is known for! So grab your beads and costume-up with us!
Our theme for 2023 is Manitou Time Machine
The more the merrier, so bring your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends, everyone! Always free to join in, RSVP REQUIRED, CLICK HERE TO JOIN PARADE!
- Sat. Feb. 18 @ 1 pm
- Memorial Park, Manitou Springs
- Free to all
be a parade volunteer
Get in touch today
We need help herding Mardi Gras revelers! If you have a big voice and personality we need you. Fill out a volunteer application below.
Make your trip as easy as possible!
Cavnivale parade detour & Event Parking
Pike Ride bikes are available! Ride a bike into town this year and don’t worry about parking!
Grab a bus! The #3 Metro Bus will be running all day and drops off at Memorial Park.
The #33 Free shuttle for Manitou Springs will stop running from 12pm until 2pm on February 18th, 2023 due to the parade.
Parking will be available for a fee at Hiawatha Gardens located in Memorial Park.
The Manitou Springs High School & Middle School will be offering parking from their SkillsUSA club. The SkillsUSA Club is a construction class at the High School and the money raised will go to support the clubs travel to construction competitions. $10 to park!
VOTING OPEN for Carnivale Court!
Now through February 3rd, cast your votes for 2023 Carnivale Court in the following categories:
•King
•Queen
•Duke
•Maid
•Jester
*All winners will carry a carnivale letter and lead the parade!!
Carnivale Parade FAQ's
Themes change every year, but the rules don’t. See below for some standard Carnivale practices.
Some things never change. We’ve never had any motorized vehicles in the parade, and we’ll stick to that.
Yes! Your four-legged family members are welcome (or two legged ones, for that matter!) Please consider that this can be a very busy and crowded day in Manitou Springs and not all of our beloved pets like big crowds, so if it’s best to leave them at home-please do. If they’re coming with you, just make sure they’ve got a leash and stay safe.
The Parade starts at Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave, and continues all the way Westbound down Manitou Ave to Soda Springs Park, 1070 Manitou Ave. You can watch from anywhere along the route!
The letters lead the parade after the King & Queen and are the centerpiece of the parade. We wish we could offer letters to everyone that wants to be a carrier, but our voted-in Carnivale Court will carry in addition to other “Manitou Royalty”. We’ll have puppets that need carried, though! So please email jenna@manitouchamber.com if you’re interested in donning one of the historic puppet characters.
It’s a parade, after all. Yeah, we know. Unfortunately, we can’t toss things like candy, beads, or other fun stuff. That’s a rule. Handing out flyers is also a no-no. (That’s about the environment). If you want to walk over to hand beads or candy to someone in the crowd, that’s ok. Just please keep the tossing to yourself!
Yes! Always free for everyone. Come down and watch- or join in the fun!
The Best, time and again
Very entertaining!…I loved it!! – Danielle C.
Gotta be there
We had a GREAT time! Can’t wait till next year!!!! – Nancy T.
2023 Carnivale Sponsors
Thanks to our Zulu Krewe Sponsors!
Thanks to our Bacchus Krewe Sponsors!
