06:00pm to 10:00pm

Free

Oahu - Honolulu, Hawaii

Nuuanu Avenue and Honolulu's Culture & Arts District

(808) 398-7990

Celebrate Fat Tuesday on Nuuanu Avenue with a whirl of percussion, samba and smiles. Parades with floats, samba dancers and Brazilian percussion groups will march through the crowds at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The event showcases authentic Carnaval culture with food, music and dance from New Orleans, Brazil, Cuba and beyond (don’t miss Du Vin’s King Cake, or Murphy’s Alligator Chili).

The three Nuuanu stages are at Pauahi St. outside ARTS at Marks, at Hotel St. outside Louis Pohl Gallery, and near King St. outside Tea@1024.

Headline entertainers include rising star Dj Sabo from New York (Brazilian Beats) and hardline N’Awlins funk from Delta Skelta with DeShannon Higa and David Choy making a righteous horn section.

There’s a craft fair along Hotel Street, with tattoos, jewelry, gourmet bread and beads galore. Nearly all the art galleries stay open, too, and you don’t want to miss FREE MALASADAS from Leonards Bakery.

Lots of after parties to choose from at Epic, Indigo, Next Door, and, of course, the drinks will keep flowing at O’Tooles, Murphys and JJ Dolans. There’s even a pre-party option: Du Vin hosts the Alliance Francaise dinner and wine tasting early that evening. Sign up at www.afhawaii.org.

And don’t forget to dress up! Costume contestants join the float parade at 9 p.m. then strut to the King Street stage for great prizes. Wear a mask, too.

www.myspace.com/nuuanuavenue