Mobile Carnival Museum

The Mobile Carnival Museum is housed in the historic Bernstein-Bush mansion on Government Street in downtown Mobile, Alabama — six blocks from the Convention Center and two blocks from the Civic Center. Opened in 2005 by the Mobile Carnival Association, the museum chronicles more than 300 years of Carnival and Mardi Gras traditions through 14 gallery rooms, a pictorial hallway, a theater, a den, and a gift shop, all set within a registered historic building featuring original pine floors, detailed crown molding, and exquisite chandeliers. The venue offers private event rental for both daytime and evening functions. The centerpiece event space, The Den, accommodates up to 200 guests for receptions and 150 for seated dinners, with a retractable chandelier awning and vendor load-in access. A rear grassy area can accommodate tents for expanded party size, and Franklin Street can be closed and tented with City approval for larger gatherings. Rental packages include full museum access, on-site tables and chairs, an event coordinator, a security guard from the Mobile Police Department, and normal janitorial services. Museum displays remain open to guests during events, and docent-guided tours are available upon request.