News

Downtown Asheville streets to close for Mardi Gras parade

Photo: Contributed/City of Asheville


ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Mardi Gras will return to downtown Asheville on Sunday, Feb. 15, with a parade and related street closures.

Key details include:

  • Event: Mardi Gras Parade
  • Date: Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026
  • Location: Downtown Asheville

Parade schedule

  • Noon: Lineup and float assembly begin
  • 3:05 p.m.: Parade steps off
  • Around 6 p.m.: Streets reopen following cleanup

Parade route

  • Starts at Southside Avenue and Coxe Avenue
  • Travels north on Coxe Avenue
  • Loops around Buxton Avenue and Banks Avenue
  • Returns to Coxe Avenue to exit

Street and parking closures

  • Streets along the parade route will close at noon and reopen after cleanup
  • All on-street parking along the route will be closed Sunday
  • Towing will be enforced

Affected streets include

  • Southside Avenue between Biltmore Avenue and Short Coxe Avenue
  • Coxe Avenue between Hilliard Avenue and Southside Avenue
  • Collier Avenue between Banks Avenue and Millard Avenue
  • South Church Street and South Lexington Avenue between Banks Avenue and Southside Avenue
  • Banks Avenue
  • Buxton Avenue
  • Millard Avenue

Parking options

  • Biltmore Avenue/Aloft Garage: 60 S. Lexington Ave.
  • Sears Alley Garage: 11 Sears Alley

Officials recommend checking real-time garage availability before arriving downtown.

Transit

  • Asheville Rides Transit bus service is not expected to be impacted.

City officials encourage residents, workers and visitors to plan ahead for closures while attending the celebration.

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