While Mardi Gras is on the calendar for February 17. But, if you’ve been to New Orleans anywhere around that time, you know that Mardi Gras is a seemingly month-long celebration. 

Having been to New Orleans when I was younger, I’ve always wanted to go back—especially now that I can go into the bars! Bourbon Street is loaded with delicious delicacies, mesmerizing music, and sights unlike you’ve ever seen before.

If you’re interested in going to New Orleans for this year’s Mardi Gras, we have absolutely everything you need to know about visiting NOLA.

Whether you’re interested in eating beignets after watching The Princess in the Frog or want to see a wedding parade, New Orleans has a little something for everyone.

So pack your bags, and let’s take a trip down to Louisiana! 

What is Mardi Gras?

On New Orleans’ tourist website, they aptly state that Mardi Gras is an event that lasts from January 6th all the way to March 4th—and most likely beyond that date! January 6th, called Twelfth Night, begins the festivities of the year with king cake, the famous bead-tossing, and a multitude of parades. 

Locals and visitors alike are sure to see something out of the ordinary during Carnival season. 

Mardi Gras, meaning Fat Tuesday in French, is the time to celebrate before Christian Lent. It is always 47 days before Easter, hence the reason the time of Carnival can vary. 

The festivities began in the 1700s in the form of balls where whoever found the bean in the king cake would host the next one. 

The Rex parade in 1872 introduced the official colors of Mardi Gras to the New Orleans’ traditions: purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. During this time, New Orleans used the excitement of Mardi Gras to promote tourism during the Reconstruction. 

Why Does the City of New Orleans Celebrate Mardi Gras?

To mark the beginning of Lent and prepare for the fasting period of Easter, European Christians started traditionally celebrating Mardi Gras.

It’s a time to eat tons of rich foods and take part in the joys of music and art. Fun fact: the first organized Mardi Gras in the U.S. wasn’t in New Orleans. It was actually in Mobile, Alabama!

How Much Does Mardi Gras Cost? Can I Ride on a Float While I’m There?

While the parades and general events are free to attend, things like attending balls, getting stands for parades, and going to Mardi Gras World will cost you some money. 

As far as riding on a float, this is typically reserved for members of krewes. And because it is an organization, their membership fees go toward a costume and a position on the float. 

This can cost anywhere from hundreds to over a thousand dollars. However, if you have a special arrangement or connection, that can be your ticket to riding a Mardi Gras float.

What is Considered Traditional Food for Mardi Gras?

If you look up anything about Mardi Gras, you won’t get far without reading something about King Cake, the official food of Mardi Gras. 

This traditional dessert is shaped like a ring and is eaten for breakfast. Baked within the cake is a plastic baby. Tradition says that whoever finds the baby has to buy the next king cake. Along with King Cake, you can also expect to see red beans and rice, shrimp po’boys, and jambalaya. 

How Do I Navigate New Orleans During Mardi Gras?

The best way to get around on Mardi Gras is by foot. There are streetcars that run during Carnival, but their routes are limited due to the parades.

What’s the Parade Schedule?

As is to be expected, the parade schedule is really long due to how many events and krewes there are. 

So, New Orleans has compiled all of them at this link here for you to look at. You can also click on each one to learn a bit more about the krewe!

What are the bucket list things I should definitely do when I visit during Mardi Gras?

Locals have come through to tell us about all the things you must see while in The Big Easy. So, make sure you add these to your itinerary when planning your trip through ALLMYNE!

1. Cheer on the marching bands
2. Hang at Krewe du Vieux and partake in their adults-only traditions
3. Wake up with the North Side Skull and Bone Gang
4. Get your hands on the most treasured throws: a Muses shoe, a Zulu coconut, and/or a plunger from Tucks
5. Buy a ticket and dance at the Endymion Extravaganza
6. Try at least three different king cakes
7. See a Mardi Gras Indian on Mardi Gras day
8. Watch the Bourbon Street Awards
9. Shake the paw of the king of the Mystic Krewe of Barkus
10. Check out a micro-krewe like ‘tit Rex
11. Join in the fun with the 610 Stompers
12. Toss beads from a Bourbon Street balcony
13. Catch a doubloon from King Rex
14. Volunteer to sort beads at the Arc of Greater New Orleans, a non-profit that supports intellectual and developmental disorders
15. Watch the Greasing of the Poles

When is the Best Time for Me to Go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras?

Any time throughout the Mardi Gras season is a blast when you’re in New Orleans, but the biggest parties and parades happen one week before the day of Mardi Gras. 

Every single night there is a marathon of parades; and because it’s a free event, hotels and flights book fast. Be sure to plan your trip early!

What Are Tips from Locals on How to Enjoy Mardi Gras Like a Professional?

Straight from the mouth of a local, here are the tips you need to enjoy Mardi Gras to its fullest.

1. If you want to celebrate with the locals, come kick off the season on January 6th for Twelfth Night. These tend to be less crowded and are just as fun.
2. Download a parade tracker! This will help you see routes ahead of time and prepare you for the best spot to see it.
3. Traveling by car, bus, taxi, or streetcar is a waste because of how much Mardi Gras parades take up the streets. So, be prepared to walk a lot or even try renting a bike!
4. Wear. A. Costume! Whether it’s a full outfit or just a mask, hat, or wig, you’ll fit in a lot better if you get into the spirit.
5. Outside of the French Quarter, keep it rated G. There will be kids around, and you should be respectful of that.

Is Mardi Gras Only for Adults?

Not at all! People recommend that you take your children to the Uptown section, which is between Napoleon and Jackson Avenues. At its heart, Mardi Gras is meant to be a celebration for families. Here are some other tips for you:

1. To watch the parades, set up on St. Charles Avenue and avoid the French Quarter and Canal Street where all the hard-core partiers go. 
2. Make sure you have a plan in mind if you get separated from your child for whatever reason. Locals recommend writing your last name and phone number on your child’s arm and giving a designated location to meet in case of a separation. Also, make sure they understand that floats should be treated like cars. Don’t get too close to one to catch beads.
3. Come prepared with snacks, water, and other child essentials so you can enjoy the parade for as long as it goes.
4. Costumed-kids get more throws, so don’t hesitate to dress up your children! Even Mardi Gras color-themed outfits will do the trick.
5. Check out the historical Carnival exhibit on Jackson Square or the Mardi Gras World to get some history on what Mardi Gras is all about. They’ll learn to appreciate the history of the Mardi Gras Indians who wear elaborate suits on Mardi Gras Day.

What is the Dress Code for Mardi Gras?

There really isn’t one, but costumes and purple/green/gold attire are welcomed!

What are “Krewes”?

Krewes are non-profit organizations that celebrate Mardi Gras through parades and/or balls. Through fund-raising and payments of dues, they are able to be active members in the world of charity work. 

Each one has its own history and traditions, and there’s usually a captain who leads the group. Krewes also usually have a royal court with a king, queen, maids, and dukes. 

Each Krewe has a parade with a different theme each year revolving around history, stories, legends, mythology, the news, entertainment, and much much more. 

The throws of their parades are usually a symbol of the parade’s theme. 

There are dozens of different krewes, but here are some of the most famous:

1. Krewe of Rex: A royal krewe and global symbol of New Orleans, the Krewe of Rex is an all-male krewe who is responsible for the Mardi Gras official flag, colors, and anthem. Their throw is the doubloon, and they celebrated their 150th anniversary in 2022. As the King of Carnival, Rex wears a jeweled crown, and his floats are led by his captain and lieutenants on horseback. The krewe was created to impress the Russian Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff who was visiting New Orleans in 1872. The Queen of the Carnival is a debutante that comes from the Krewe of Rex, and the balls they throw are invite-only!
2. Krewe of Zulu: This is a royal krewe named after the African tribe. Their first King, William Story, parodied King Rex by wearing a lard can as a crown and ruling with a banana stalk scepter in 1909. The characters of the krewe include Mr. Big Stuff, Witch Doctor, Soulful Warriors, and Province Prince. Despite the lavish parade floats of today, their origins were quite controversial, as white men dressed in blackface. Today, however, the group is a krewe of black men who kept the traditions going through the trials of the 1960s. Their throw is the famous Zulu coconut. There was even a “coconut bill” passed in 1988 to keep the krewe from being liable if someone was injured with one of their throws. Fun fact: in 1949, Louis Armstrong ruled as the king! 
3. Krewe of Endymion: One of the super-krewes, the Krewe of Endymion is the largest krewe in Mardi Gras history and is named after the Olympian god of fertility and eternal youth. With 15 million+ throws, you’re sure to get your hands on one during Mardi Gras. Every year they have celebrity grand marshals who hold a concert in the Louisiana Superdome after the parade. Some of the past grand marshals are Dolly Parton and the Beach Boys!
4. Krewe of Orpheus: Another super-krewe, this krewe was founded by Sonny Borey, Harry Connick, Sr., and Harry Connick, Jr. Its first parade had 700 members, and its name of Orpheus symbolizes the musicality of its founders. They were the first super-krewe to allow both male and female riders. Their Leviathan float was the first to ever use fiber optic lighting, and they always have celebrities appear on the float, like Whoopi Goldberg, Stevie Wonder, and Glenn Close! Their parades are on every Lundi Gras, and they throw custom-made tambourines.
5. Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus: With over 150 sub-krewes and 900 members, the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus is a dream come true for all Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror nerds. All of their contraptions use no engines, so they are meant to be pushed, pulled, or pedaled. Their throws include bean bags, stuffed animals, and frisbees.

What Are Some Mardi Gras Traditions?

Mardi Gras celebrations are deeply rooted in culture and traditions. These traditions include:

• New Orleans King Cake (check out the section on traditional food to learn more about this!)
• Mardi Gras Balls
• The Mardi Gras Indians: Also known as the Black Masking Indians, the Mardi Gras Indians are a historic subculture of New Orleans with over 40 tribes throughout the city. They are characterized by their intricate suits of rhinestones, feathers, sequins, and beaded designs. In the 1800s, Native Americans gave refuge and a sense of community to runaway slaves. Their culture is influenced by the friendships forged between the enslaved Africans and the Native Americans. When the African Americans were banned from Mardi Gras Krewes, they created their own festival: Carnival. 
• Flambeaux: Starting in 1857, this tradition involves wrapping wooden torches in rags and lighting them to guide parade routes during the night. The original carriers of Flambeaux were enslaved Africans and free African Americans, reflecting racial segregation and discrimination. Today, people can expect to see flambeaux carriers dancing with and twirling the flamed torches. 
• The North Side Skull & Bone Gang: In the early hours of Mardi Gras Day, the North Side Skull and Bone Gang leave the Backstreet Cultural Museum and wake up the neighborhood, spreading a message of peace. The gang views itself as the “literal meaning of carnival, the shedding of flesh,” and its roots are traced to African spirituality. The only time they can be seen is at 5 a.m. at the Museum on Mardi Gras morning.

What’s with the Beads?

Beads are thrown to people who come watch the parades! It’s exciting to see how many you can collect.

What is Creole? Is That the Same as Cajuns?

Though there was no racial designation to start with the difference between these two groups of people, it is now commonly understood that Creoles are Black or of mixed race and Cajuns are white. 

Creoles are from New Orleans, and Cajuns are in the rural parts of Southern Louisiana. Both subsets of Louisianan culture have their own types of cooking, traditions, and languages.

Is There Voodoo in New Orleans? Should I Be Afraid?

Yes. Voodoo is a pillar of New Orleans’s cultural foundation. You will find palm readers, voodoo festivals, shops, and so forth while in New Orleans. 

However, it is widely regarded as something similar to superstition. So, take that information as you will. Just know that you’re more likely to see a unicorn than have a person successfully “cast a spell on you” in New Orleans.

What’s the Difference Between Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras?

Lundi Gras, or Fat Monday in French, is the day right before Mardi Gras.

Krewes like Proteus and Orpheus have their parades on that day alongside festive lunches. Some traditions include:

• The Red Beans Parade: This parade honors the culinary tradition of red beans and rice. The paraders’ outfits are made out of red beans, and they meet the “Dead Beans” in the Tremé neighborhood. From there, both sets of beans go to the Backstreet Cultural Museum.
• Zulu Lundi Gras Festival: This is the moment that people can get to know the Krewe of Zulu through their waterfront event at Woldenberg Park. They have food, music, and crafts.
• Fat Monday Luncheon: In 1949, a local Louisianan crowned his visiting guest as the Queen of the luncheon at Brennan’s restaurant. The group eventually moved to Arnaud’s, but ever since then two queens—one from out of town and one local—are crowned every year. It’s the oldest tradition in Louisiana for the LGBTQ+ community, and it even includes some humorous titles given to other attendees.

What Are Throws?

While some may read the word “throws” and think of decorative pillows, in the world of Mardi Gras “throws” are anything thrown from a float during a parade. This could be anything from shoes and coconuts to toys and aluminum coins. It is said that the first items tossed from a float were in 1871 when a person, dressed up as Santa Claus, threw gifts to the crowd.

Why is Bourbon Street so Famous?

One of the oldest streets in North America, Bourbon Street was created in 1721 by Adrian de Pauger—before the creation of bourbon, the liquor! Back then, this street was in the colony of New France, hence the reason the Creole language has bits of French laced into it. One of the French royals of that time was the House of Bourbon, which is how the liquor was named!

While Bourbon Street is part of the French Quarter, the architecture is a lot more Spanish than French due to the destruction of French buildings during the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788. In the late 19th century, the Red Light District on Basin Street started to bleed over into the French Quarter. This transitioned Bourbon Street from a residential area to an entertainment-focused area.

Bourbon Street is also the central space for the LGBTQ+ community of New Orleans. Today, the “Lavender Line” on St. Ann and Bourbon is one of the most lively spots for the gay community in the whole country.

Make the Most of Your Mardis Gras Trip with ALLMYNE

With just about all of your questions answered on the magnificence of Carnival season in New Orleans, when are you planning to visit? I for one can’t wait to go back! Ever been to New Orleans before? Share your stories with us by tagging us on Instagram. 

And, don’t forget that ALLMYNE is here to meet all your travel needs and help ensure an awesome trip. I know I’ll be making a virtual journal of my trip—and all other future trips—through the app to preserve my memories forever.

Download the ALLMYNE app from the APPLE STORE or GOOGLE PLAY to seamlessly plan, capture, and share your travel journey with a global community of fellow explorers. Upgrade to our PRO subscriber level for even more perks, including audio recording in your journal, AI-powered location suggestions tailored to your interests, unlimited trip locations, and unlimited storage for all your travel memories. Download the ALLMYNE app now – the ultimate travel companion to enhance every step of your journey!