It’s almost time for Mardi Gras and several Charleston businesses are gearing up for the celebration. Multiple businesses with host parties, while some are offering King Cakes to mark the occasion. You can learn more below.
King Cakes are a traditional pastry associated with Mardi Gras. These cakes are usually oval-shaped to symbolize a crown and are made of a rich, brioche-like dough twisted and filled with various sweet fillings like cinnamon, chocolate, and cream cheese. The surface of the cake is often adorned with colorful icing or sugar in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple (symbolizing justice), green (faith), and gold (power).
A unique aspect of the King Cake tradition is the small figurine, often a baby, hidden inside the cake. The person who finds the figurine in their slice is said to have good luck and is traditionally responsible for providing the King Cake for the next year's celebration or hosting the next Mardi Gras party. The King Cake season begins on January 6th, known as King's Day or the Epiphany, and continues until Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.
King Cakes
AP Flour
- King cakes available to pre-order through February 7th
- Go to www.apflour.com/mardi-gras to order
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit
- Callie’s will offer King Cake Biscuits from Friday, February 9th through Tuesday, February 13th. The special includes two shortcakes topped with vanilla buttercream, purple, gold, and green sprinkles, and one baby.
- calliesbiscuits.com
Cinnaholic
- Offering King Cakes that are shareable and customizable
- Serves eight to ten people
- cinnaholic.com
Glazed Gourmet
- King Cake orders are now open
- Pick ups and deliveries are available only on February 13th
- Deliveries will be made from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 pm
- Click here to order
Marid Gras Celebrations
20th Annual Mardi Crawl on Shem Creek
- The Lowcountry Parrothead Club will host the 20th Annual Mardi Crawl on Shem Creek on Saturday, February 24th
- Proceeds will benefit SC Alzheimer's Association, Pet Helpers, Carolina Children's Charity, HALOS, Fisher House, Ronald McDonald House, and Toys for Tots
- From January 16th through February 10th, registration will be $45. Online registration will close on February 10th, but registration will be available the day of the event for $30 and will include everything except the t-shirt
- To register, go to LowcountryParrotheadClub.
org.
Charleston Pour House
- On Tuesday, February 13th, the music venue presents: Maybank Mardis Gras feat. Mike Quinn and Friends playing The Meters on the Main Stage and Wards 9th Brass Band on the Deck Stage
- Ward's 9th Brass Band play starting at 6 pm
- Mike Quinn and Friends play the Meters at 9 pm
- Click here for more info
Hotel Bennett
- Hosting Princess Tea with special guest, New Orleans Princess on February 11th
- Experience Camellia’s (inside Hotel Bennett) renowned Afternoon Tea service with a touch of Mardi Gras flair and princess magic
- Seating times: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Adults $75.00; Children under 12 $45.00
- For reservations, click here.
Tavern & Table
- On Tuesday, February 13th, Tavern & Table will host a party on Fat Tuesday
- They'll have a special Hurricane cocktail to celebrate Mardi Gras
