Asheville Reporter

Animalia fun is set to return to downtown Asheville on Sunday, March 2, 2025, as the community gathers for the Mardi Gras Parade. The event will bring both festivities and some traffic disruptions.

The parade activities will begin at 10:00 a.m. with line-up and float assembly on Southside Avenue between Biltmore and Short Coxe Avenue. The traditional step-off is scheduled for 3:05 p.m., starting at the intersection of Southside and Coxe Avenue. The parade route will proceed north on Coxe Avenue, continue along Buxton Avenue and Banks Avenue, before exiting onto Federal Alley for disassembly.

Street closures will commence at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday and are expected to last until approximately 6:00 p.m., following cleanup efforts. Affected streets include:

- Southside Ave. between Biltmore and Short Coxe Ave.

- Coxe Ave. between Banks Ave. and Southside Ave.

- Collier Ave. between Banks Ave. and Millard Ave.

- S. Church & S. Lexington between Banks Ave. and Southside Ave.

- Banks Ave.

- Buxton Ave.

- Millard Ave.

Coxe Avenue between Hilliard Avenue and Banks Avenue will be restricted to local traffic only.

On-street parking along the parade route will be unavailable on Sunday, with towing enforced for violators. "The City’s bright yellow NO PARKING signs will go up along the route on Friday as advance notice of the Sunday closure." Those using private lots within closed areas should plan accordingly, as roads won't reopen until after cleanup is completed.

For those attending, planning ahead for parking is advised, with nearby options including the Biltmore Avenue/Aloft Hotel parking garage at 60 S. Lexington Ave., and the Coxe Avenue parking garage at 40 Coxe Ave.

"We do not anticipate any impacts to ART services as a result of parade closures this year."