Celebrating Manitou Springs 33rd Annual Carnivale Parade
Manitou Springs Carnivale, presented by Manitou Springs ManiKrewe, is celebrating its 33rd year of fun and festivities. Carnivale is a free, community-powered event that transforms the streets of Manitou Springs into a shared space for expression, participation, and connection.
Guided by this year’s theme, All You Need Is Love, the parade brings together artists, families, musicians, dancers, and builders to create an inclusive, interactive experience for all ages. It is a tradition rooted in collaboration, volunteerism, and the belief that art belongs to everyone — accessible, joyful, and alive.
Carnivale is a celebration of shared humanity — powered by love, sustained by community, and brought to life through art.
Peace. Love. And Giant Puppets!
Important! Press Release And Parking Notice for Carnivale 2026.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Ettinger-Harwell
Phone: 719-231-7202
Email: manitoucarnivale@gmail.com
Come on Out for the Manitou Springs Carnivale Parade!
Mardi Gras in Manitou is a family-friendly art event.
Manitou Springs, CO, February 11, 2026—It’s time to gather up your family and friends, come on out and get in the Mardi Gras spirit at the 33rd Annual Manitou Springs Carnivale parade! Saturday, February 14, love is in the air and our theme, “All You Need is Love” will guide the parade this year.
King Jason Wells and Queen Jenna Wells will lead the event, with the Manitou Springs Drum Circle behind, setting the tone and raising energy levels. Musicians, artists, krewes and GIANT PUPPETS march down Manitou Avenue, bringing beads, fun throws and an interactive art happening. The parade begins at 1pm at the 600 block of Manitou Avenue and ends at the Soda Springs Park Pavilion.
Pro tip: Manitou Avenue closes at Old Man’s Trail and Manitou Avenue at noon. Come early, park in one of the lots downtown, enjoy breakfast at one of Manitou’s great restaurants, and THEN, check out the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cookoff (a Visit Manitou Springs event) at the Soda Springs Pavilion. Gumbo by both amateur and professional chef can be sampled and you can vote for your favorite.
If You Go: Parking Options
- There are four downtown parking lots, as well as the Dillon Mobility Hub, and parking along the Creekwalk on Manitou Avenue
- Free parking is also available at the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort at the back of the property
- Free offsite parking is available at the Shriner’s parking lot (6 South 33rd St., COS)
- A free Rocky Mountain Ride shuttle will be looping around to the Shriner’s parking lot, as well as the Dillon Mobility Hub and Buffalo Lodge
- Check real-time parking availability and costs before heading into town: ManitouSpringsGov.com/parking
Alternative Transportation Options – Ditch the Car! - Use code “CARNIVALE2026” in the PikeRide app for 1 FREE ride (up to 20 minutes). Bike racks are located throughout Manitou Springs With temps in the 50s, it’s the perfect day to ride and keep it eco-friendly! More info: https://www.pikeride.org/
- Or, park at Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort and ride your bike in!
Bus & Shuttle Services: - #33 Free Manitou Shuttle – Will run during the parade and will do loops between Beckers Lane and Old Man’s Trail
- Visit https://coloradosprings.gov/mountain…/page/manitou-shuttle for maps and details of the listed bus/shuttle routes. For parking and transportation info, visit ManitouSpringsGov.com
Once again: Rocky Mountain Ride will pick up and drop off at the Shriner’s parking lot, Fields Park, the Dillon Mobility Hub, Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort and along the Creekwalk parking spaces from 10am to 3pm.
Thank you to our Rex level sponsors, the historic Manitou Springs Penny Arcade, Franklin D. Azar, and Renewal by Andersen!
For information on the parade, shuttles, etc., visit our Facebook page: manitou.carnivale, our website: manitouspringscarnivale.org or email manitoucarnivale@gmail.com. Manitou Springs Carnivale is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Upcoming Events
2026 Sponsorship Levels
