Welcome to the Northland Mardi Gras in beautiful Ladysmith, WI! The Northland Mardi Gras is an annual 4-day event hosted by the Northland Community Club! The event takes place the 3rd full weekend in July! Admission to the Northland Mardi Gras festival grounds is free!
In addition to our signature event, the Northland Community Club hosts and participates in a number of other fun events in the Ladysmith area throughout the year including our annual Haunted House, Winter Magic and Park Cleanup events! To learn more about the Northland Community Club, what we do and how to join, please visit the Membership page!
3rd Full Weekend in July
A Northern Wisconsin tradition, The Northland Mardi Gras is always held the 3rd full weekend in July! July must start on a Friday or earlier in order to count the 3rd full weekend. The 2025 Northland Mardi Gras will be July 17-20, 2025!
Venetian Night Parade and Fireworks
One unique aspect of the Northland Mardi Gras is the Venetian Night Parade which takes place on the scenic Flambeau River during Friday and Saturday nights! Themed floats take to the river as a dazzling fireworks display takes place overhead!
Carnival Rides, Games and Food
What's a community festival without the carnival rides, games and food? You'll find it all at the Northland Mardi Gras where we have a midway full of fun games and rides for all ages and a variety of food booths to satisfy any taste!
4 Days of Local Entertainment
The Northland Mardi Gras is packed full of entertainment for little ones and adults alike! From live music, an arts and crafts fair, sporting tournaments, special shows like magicians, lumberjacks or water skiers, the Northland Mardi Gras has you covered! Visit the Entertainment page for more info!
Schedule of Events:
08:00 am: Mardi Gras Open Golf Tournament - Mickey's on the Flambeau-Tee-A-Way Golf and Supper Club
08:15 am: Race Start Time for "Blue Hills Running Club" Mardi Gras 5K-10K Walk Run and Kids 400M Dash 12 and under. 8:15 am kids race 8:30am 5K race. Offering preregistration, t-shirts provided. $20 ages 13 and up. $10 ages 12 and under. Hosted by Blue Hills Running Club. Ladysmith High School - [email protected] for more info.
08:00 am - 11:00 am: Firefighters Pancake Feed - Ladysmith Fire Hall
08:00 am - 12:00 pm: Rusk County Farmer's Market - Lake Ave and E. 2nd Parking Lot Downtown Ladysmith
09:00 am - 02:00 pm: Mardi Gras Arts and Craft Fair - SFB Parking Lot - Downtown Ladysmith
10:00 am - 01:00 pm: Car Show - Worden Ave - Downtown Ladysmith
10:30 am: Citizen's Water Fights - Ladysmith Fire Hall
12:00 pm: Christman Amusements Opens - Memorial Park
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm: Sensory Hour (smaller crowds, reduced noise-music at games, rides and main stage)
12:00 pm - TCPBA Power Boat Association Races - Flambeau River-Memorial Park
12:00 pm - 02:00 pm: Music by "Joe's Music"-Festival Midway - Memorial Park
12:30 pm - 04:30 pm: Rusk County Historical Society Museum Open - Fairgrounds
01:00 pm: Beer Garden Opens-$3.00 Gate Admission Fee - Memorial Park
01:00 pm - 04:00 pm: Bingo - Armstrong Pavilion-Memorial Park - Proceeds go to the Hawkins Lions Club
03:00 pm - 04:00 pm: Parade Float Tour - Memorial Park Beach
01:30 pm - 04:30 pm: Veteran's Memorial Pavilion Stage presents "Milkman Daddy"-Memorial Park
05:00 pm - 08:00 pm: Free Kartoon Caricatures by Pete and Dian Wagner - Memorial Park
05:15 pm - 08:15 pm: Veteran's Memorial Pavilion Stage presents "GUNDO"-Memorial Park
09:00 pm: Veteran's Memorial Pavilion Stage Presents "Blacktop Mojo"-Memorial Park
10:00 pm: Venetian Night Parade and Fireworks Show - Flambeau River-Memorial Park
12:00 am: Closing Down of Beer Garden and Festival Grounds
