- Saturday, March 1, 2025: Mardi Gras Pub Crawl (1–3ish pm)
- Sunday, March 2, 2025: Scrap Exchange Daytime Mardi Gras (2-4pm)
- Tuesday, March 4, 2025: Mardi Gras Day Activities
Who says you have to go to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras? Durham has celebrated for years in our own way. On this page you can find this year’s activities. Come join us!
New Orleans, the Bull City, the Bulltown Strutters and Mardi Gras Spirit
The day in May of 2010 when a half dozen Durhamites gathered to learn “When the Saints Go Marching In” marked the beginning of the band that later became the Bulltown Strutters. Some had not touched their horns since high school, others came from performing other styles of music. What nobody realized was how we could spark the musical joy of a New Orleans Mardi Gras by playing that one song. The Triangle region of North Carolina soon embraced our community brass band because we brought a party spirit every time we played. And like it or not, that spirit was the spirit of Mardi Gras. Not the drunken chaos that happens on Bourbon Street, but the family-friendly joy that emphasizes creativity, gathering in your neighborhood, hopefully led in an impromptu second line parade down the street by a brass band.
And so, every year, we look forward to our favorite holiday, Mardi Gras Day. We have become the unofficial source of information about how Durham celebrates Mardi Gras. Here is a mostly chronological list of events. Please help us keep this list accurate and refreshed – send us details of what you or your group is doing and we’ll post it here.
Laissez les Bull temps rouler!
Saturday Afternoon: March 1: Mardi Gras Pub Crawl
On the Saturday afternoon before Mardi Gras, we will gather at the Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St., Durham) for lunch around noon, and gather around 1pm to start a sidewalk stroll through downtown. We tentatively plan to visit Urban Axes, Motorco, Pour, Glass Jug, Durham Hotel and Pinhook, end at around 3pm.
Some places we will stop and play a song or two and others we will stop in for a refreshment. Here is the route in google maps. If you want to join us late, look for updates on our Facebook page.
Daytime Mardi Gras Celebration with Bulltown Strutters
Sunday March 2, 2025 at the Scrap Exchange, 2050 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC, 2-5pm
Celebrate Mardi Gras early at this FREE all-ages, Sunday afternoon event.
At The Scrap Exchange – come party New Orleans style – rain, snow, or sun.
Free crafting booths for kids & adults – shoe box floats & costuming + the Scrap Exchange.
Live music & dancing. Second line parades (weather permitting)!
Glass Jug Beer trailer with wine, beer and new this year – Hurricanes! Food trucks.
Come as you are, or form a Krewe of friends, family or workplace, pick a theme and come dressed up.
2:15 pm: Second Line Parade
2:30-3:30: Bulltown Strutters Perform
3:40 pm: Second Line Parade
Sponsored by Glass Jug Beer Lab and the Bulltown Strutters/
SEEKING GROUPS who want to gather as a krewe – a traditional social group in New Orleans which picks a theme for their costumes, and walks the streets spreading good cheer, sometimes with lagniappes and throws, not just beads. Could be your neighbors, family, school classroom, church, workplace, etc.
Give us your details at the “Contact Us” tab so we can reserve you a booth space.
Mardi Gras Day – Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Bling up for downtown’s festive gathering at CCB plaza on Mardi Gras night!
5:30pm Meet in your festive attire at the Bull, CCB Plaza, 201 Corcoran Street, Durham 27701
6:00 All musicians are welcome for a jam led by the Bulltown Strutters
6:30 Sidewalk Stroll with music from CCB Plaza to Geer Street. Live updates on our facebook event page.
7:00 The Cajammers, long time friends of the Bulltown Strutters, will be playing at Blue Note Grill including a dance lesson and lots of traditional cajun waltzes and two-steps
8:00 Bulltown Strutters perform at Motorco, 723 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham 27701
