Know Before You Go: Celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Mardi Gras marks the culmination of Carnival season, which begins every year on January 6, the 12th day after Christmas, and concludes on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, also known as Shrove Tuesday. As such, the exact date for Mardi Gras varies annually. However, while Mardi Gras itself is technically just a single day, the entire Carnival season is a longer festive period featuring colorful parades, elaborate costumes, and lively celebrations.

Mardi Gras is a final exuberant celebration preceding the reflective and solemn Lenten season, during which many Christians observe fasting and restraint. While there are other Mardi Gras celebrations around the world, such as Venice, Rio de Janeiro, and Trinidad and Tobago, New Orleans' iteration is arguably the most iconic. Mardi Gras in New Orleans stands out thanks to its grand parades, elaborate costumes, and spirited revelry that distinguish it as one of the largest and most captivating Mardi Gras celebrations worldwide.

In New Orleans, most hotels are located downtown, and since the city is relatively compact, it’s easy to get to key attractions. Staying in the French Quarter will likely be lively, busy, and noisy during Mardi Gras. Book accommodation as early as possible, even a year in advance or more.

Of course, staying in downtown is also convenient as it's close to (and even home to) some of the best things to do in New Orleans. Immerse yourself in the city's rich culinary scene on a food walking tour in the French Quarter, check out the free-to-enter French Market, indulge in some local shopping on Royal Street, and at night, treat yourself to traditional jazz at Preservation Hall, a historic venue dedicated to preserving New Orleans jazz traditions.

There are a couple of traditions you can participate in that will help make you feel even more part of the celebrations during Mardi Gras. Parades are the most famous Mardi Gras events; attending them is free. Around 80 parades occur in New Orleans throughout Carnival season, and they generally happen with increased frequency and size as Fat Tuesday approaches.

Krewes (see more on these special social organizations below) organize the parades, and they vary in size and theme. At the parades, the krewes toss plastic trinkets (throws), usually brightly-colored plastic beads, to the crowds. Some krewes have unique throws, such as hand-decorated shoes or coconuts, and are highly coveted.

Keep an eye on local shops selling King Cake, too, a confection typically only eaten during Carnival. This sweet pastry with colorful decorations is often braided or twisted, but even more unique is a hidden charm inside, usually a small toy. Whoever finds it in their slice is considered lucky and gets to be the "king" or "queen" of the festivities.

Wearing costumes, especially on Mardi Gras day, is also customary.

Krewes are semi-secret social clubs, and each one organizes their own parades and costumed balls throughout Carnival. Some krewes are over 100 years old.

Several super krewes in New Orleans produce the largest parades, featuring many enormous, decorative floats pulled by tractors. Super krewes typically have over 1,000 members and parades with 500 or more riders. Their members pay dues to be on the floats and pay for their throws. There are also dozens of smaller krewes, many of which put on walking parades at various locations around the city.

Did you know?: The Mistick Krewe of Comus is the oldest surviving krewe in New Orleans, founded in 1856.

There’s a parade for everyone during Mardi Gras. Dog lovers should head to Krewe of Barkus, a parade of costumed dogs. If you like science fiction, go to Chewbacchus (named after the Wookie in Star Wars), a celebration of all things sci-fi and fantasy with a special focus on the Star Wars universe.

The Krewe of Tit Rex puts on one of the most charming parades, as their members make miniature, shoebox-sized floats, pulling them along on strings. Krewe du Vieux is an adult, satirical parade not recommended for children.

The Orpheus, Bacchus, and Endymion parades feature the most elaborate and extravagant floats. Zulu, Rex, and Muses are also among the larger and best-attended parades. Zulu is a historic African American krewe, and Muses is a more recent addition to Carnival, with its membership exclusively for women. The Zulu and Rex parades take place on Mardi Gras Day.

There’s an overwhelming amount of events, so pick and choose your favorites. A solid strategy is to attend some of the larger parades put on by the super krewes and then attend some smaller or niche parades.

Although there are plenty of events from Twelfth Night onwards, Mardi Gras kicks into high gear on the Thursday before Fat Tuesday. On Thursday night, the Krewe of Muses has its parade, followed on Friday night when the Krewe of Morpheus rolls. These larger parades often have celebrity guests as their king or queen.

On Saturday, catch the Endymion Parade, one of the most popular and busiest parades in New Orleans. Sunday and Monday have the noteworthy Bacchus and Orpheus parades. Monday is also known as Lundi Gras, where a series of Shrove Monday events occur at Woldenberg Park. The full parade schedule can be found here.

A classic Mardi Gras Day entails getting up early to see Zulu at 8am and Rex at 11am. From there, pick your own adventure. For rowdy excess, Bourbon Street is the obvious destination, but the entire French Quarter is awash with costumes, colorful walking parades, and music in some form on every corner.

There’s a vivid sense of shared experience during Mardi Gras; just walking around is all part of the fun. Dress up, keep an open mind, and enjoy the euphoric atmosphere. Remember that Carnival season is a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourself.

The accessibility of Mardi Gras events will vary depending on the activities, the location, and how comfortable you are navigating through crowds.

The parades are the biggest draw and the most significant part of Mardi Gras, which means more people and more noise. While the parades often occur on public streets, it's a good idea to check with local organizers about accessible viewing areas and ramps or if there are any accommodations for individuals with mobility challenges.

Like any city in America, New Orleans has made strides to make it more accessible. However, be aware that sidewalks may be uneven, and the design of older buildings might pose challenges. If you're taking public transportation, know that The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has designated stops with accessibility features.

• How early should I get to a Mardi Gras parade? Early if you want a good spot along the parade route. In prime locations, it's common for parade-goers to arrive four hours ahead of the main event. Hydrate, wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes, and enjoy the community spirit. Insider tip: Most large parades roll from uptown towards downtown along St. Charles Avenue, although the Endymion Parade moves through Mid City along Orleans Avenue.
• What should I wear for Mardi Gras? Dressing up is absolutely encouraged, and don't forget your Mardi Gras beads. When it comes to what to wear for Mardi Gras, be as inventive and expressive as you possibly can. There is no such thing as overdoing it. Locals will appreciate any effort made to dress up—the more elaborate your costume is, the better.
• How many people attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans each year? Around 1 million visitors pass through New Orleans each Mardi Gras season.
• Can I drink on the street at Mardi Gras? Drinking on the street from plastic containers is perfectly legal in New Orleans. Urinating in public is harshly punished, so find a bathroom or port-a-potty instead.
• Are there family-friendly Mardi Gras activities? Yes, many activities are family-friendly during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. However, if you're attending a parade, avoid viewpoints in the French Quarter, especially on Bourbon Street, where festivities can veer more adult-oriented.