Mardi Gras festivities aren’t even close to getting cranked up in Mobile, and winter has already put a dent in them.

With the port city already experiencing freezing temperatures and a round of heavy rain on the way, the city has postponed the ceremonial lighting of its Mardi Gras tree and canceled the monthly downtown art walk that was to take place Friday.

The lighting of the tree in Mardi Gras Park has been rescheduled from Thursday, Jan. 9, to Thursday Jan. 16. The event will start at 6 p.m. and will feature music by the Excelsior Band, the Jukebox Brass Band and the Blowhouse Brass Band. Food trucks also will be on hand, according to information provided by the city.

The large tree is the city’s take on a tradition of repurposing Christmas trees for Carnival season with beads and other seasonal tokens.

According to a city statement issued Wednesday, the next art walk will take place Friday, March 14.

Forecasters say much of the state will experience a winter storm starting late Thursday, with substantial snowfall possible in north Alabama Friday and a mix of snow and sleet in the central portion of the state. While snow isn’t in the forecast for Mobile, rain is expected Friday, with temperatures sinking into the 30s again that evening.