Mardi Gras 2020

Texas' biggest Mardi Gras party krewes up exciting 2020 concert lineup

A lawsuit between squabbling islanders recently threatened what’s considered one of the largest and oldest Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States, but in the end, the party will go on.

Mardi Gras Galveston returns for its 109th celebration February 14-25, with parades, beads, booze, and a stacked lineup of musical performers.

Texas rock bands Blue October and Bowling for Soup are among this year's headliners. Other entertainment highlights include La Leyenda and Bidi Bidi Banda, set to head a Latin-flavored Fiesta Gras celebration on February 16 that will feature two parades, a balcony party, and shopping and dining options.

Blue October will perform live at 6 pm on Saturday, February 15, in downtown Galveston’s Saengerfest Park on the Corona Stage during the kickoff weekend of Mardi Gras Galveston. Bowling for Soup will play at 10:30 pm on Friday, February 21, on the Corona Stage during the final weekend.

Serving as the grand marshal of the new Bumpin’ Bus Parade is Houston hip-hop legend and Galveston Island spokesperson Bun B on February 22. He'll make an appearance just before the biggest parade of them all, the Knights of Momus parade.

“This is by far our best band lineup of the last 10 years,” said Yaga’s Entertainment president Mike Dean, who is in his 10th year organizing the festival for the city of Galveston. “Concerts are part of what make the Mardi Gras experience different in Texas, and we are excited to bring in these great local bands and homegrown Texas talent.”

More than 25 concerts will take place during Galveston’s two-week event, alongside 23 parades, 20 official balcony parties (and many more unofficial ones), and several elegant balls. Daily admission to the Mardi Gras entertainment district includes access to all concerts, as well as entrance into the Electric Mardi Gras event on Friday and Saturday of both weekends, with numerous DJs and laser light shows.

According to a statement, Mardi Gras, the traditional festival of feasting and merrymaking that precedes the season of Lent, was first publicly observed on Galveston Island in 1867. Following a sabbatical imposed in 1941 by war and challenging times, Mardi Gras Galveston was revived in 1985 by Galveston-born preservationist and developer George P. Mitchell. The 11-day event is expected to draw more than 300,000 attendees; it's the largest celebration of its kind in Texas and the third largest in the nation.

Admission for all music-related events is $22 at the gate, with discounted prices available in advance online at www.mardigrasgalveston.com.

North Texas rock act Bowling for Soup will perform as a headliner on February 21.

Courtesy Mardi Gras! Galveston

North Texas rock act Bowling for Soup will perform as a headliner on February 21.

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Bus News

Greyhound bus finds new location to replace downtown Dallas terminal

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There's a new location for the Greyhound bus terminal, which had been in downtown Dallas for nearly 70 years: Flix North America, the parent company of FlixBus and Greyhound, will be relocating service to a new intercity bus terminal in northwest Dallas in late September 2025.

According to a release, the facility will be located in the 9700 block of Harry Hines Boulevard, directly across from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Bachman Station, and will serve as the company’s primary hub for travel in and out of the Dallas–Fort Worth region.

The existing Greyhound terminal in downtown Dallas will remain operational until the new terminal opens, to ensure uninterrupted service for passengers throughout the process.

The relocation was made possible through collaboration with the City of Dallas and underscores Flix’s long-term commitment to integrate intercity bus service into a broader national transportation network that connects travelers with public transit and other modes to make long-distance travel more accessible, seamless, and affordable across Texas and beyond.

“Intercity buses are one of the most affordable and dependable ways to travel long distance, and we want to make them as easy to access as possible,” said Kai Boysan, CEO of Flix North America. “This new terminal offers better connectivity for DFW-area travelers and reflects our commitment to multimodal solutions—linking our services with public transit and other transportation modes to create a more seamless and convenient travel experience. It’s an important step in our mission to make long-distance travel more affordable, equitable, and efficient across Texas and the nation.”

Greyhound bus station in downtown Dallas. Getty Images

Flix SE acquired Greyhound in 2021, from FirstGroup, who kept the real estate, including the Dallas terminal, then sold it off — a process that left public transportation in peril in some areas.

The Bachman Station is home to DART Rail stops for both the Green Line and the Orange Line DART. By locating across from a major multimodal hub with DART rail and bus service, the new facility will enable connections to DFW Airport, Dallas Love Field, downtown Dallas, Fair Park, and Deep Ellum. The terminal also allows for connections for FlixBus and Greyhound riders to suburbs such as Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Las Colinas, Richardson, and Plano.

The same block along Harry Hines already has the Dallas Police Department Northwest Patrol headquarters as well as a city of Dallas Water Utilities building and a Greyhound Bus maintenance facility.

Dallas City Council member Omar Narvaez said that "the new Greyhound/FlixBus terminal in Northwest Dallas represents a win for multimodal connectivity and smart urban planning. Its location—steps from the DART Bachman Station and with immediate access to I-35 and Northwest Highway—creates a powerful synergy that will benefit travelers throughout the region. I want to thank our city’s engineering and permitting teams for their dedication and collaboration in helping this project move forward efficiently."

The relocation of Greyhound’s legacy terminal to the new facility is the latest milestone in the brand’s transformation under Flix ownership. Since acquiring Greyhound in 2021, Flix has introduced a modernized fleet, a data-driven technology platform, and a regionally empowered operating model—driving measurable improvements in reliability, efficiency, and customer experience.

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