We have the need… the need for beads. Tuesday, Feb. 21, is Fat Tuesday, or as the french say, Mardi Gras. Well known in the US as a major event in New Orleans, it’s a celebration of indulgence on the eve of Lent, featuring fabulous food + flying jewelry.

Don’t sweat it if you can’t make it down to the bayou — you can celebrate right here, 680 miles away from the French Quarter. These Soda City spots have plenty of Big Easy flair to spare, with traditional desserts, tunes, and much more.

All that jazz + more 🎷

13th annual Mardi Gras Columbia Festival + Parade, City Roots Farm, 1005 Airport Blvd. | Saturday, Feb. 18 | Parade at 11 a.m., festival from 12-7 p.m. | Admission is $5 for adults + free for children 12 and under | Hosted by Krewe de Columbi-Ya-Ya and held in Cola’s historic Rosewood neighborhood, the 13th annual event is the go-to party to celebrate Mardi Gras in the Soda City. This year will feature 12 live bands on three stages + beer from the bayou-based brewery, Abita.
Phat Tuesday Official Mardi Gras Celebration, The Bistreaux by Fleur de Licious,2700 Broad River Rd. | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | Enjoy "Phat Tuesday" fun under one giant tent with live music, food, and of course, beads.
Live in the Lobby Jazz: Nola to Cola, Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | Longtime Wynton Marsalis bandmate and world-renowned alto-saxophonist, Wess Warmdaddy Anderson, brings Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday to life with the swinging, funky sounds on New Orleans.

Where to get your King Cake 👑

King cake is a buttery pastry covered in icing and topped with purple, yellow, and green sprinkles. Here are several places you can grab yours across the Midlands.

The Blended Bakery, 5076 Sunset Blvd. A, Lexington | $36
Luzianna Purchase, 7011 St. Andrews Rd. C2, Irmo | $37.50
Lowes Foods, various locations | $20.99 (Gambino's Original King Cake)
Sweet Peas, 412 Mcnulty St. Suite B, Blythewood | $45
Tiffany's of Columbia, 9704 Two Notch Rd. | 37.99 (medium) 46.99 (large)

Pro tip: Want to create even more local flavor this Mardi Gras? Use Gorget Distillerty’s SilveRum or Black Cherry Rum to concoct a potent Hurricane, topped with the traditional orange slices, cherry + fresh fruit from Rosewood Market. Now you have a Soda City Storm.