If you want to attend New Orlean's biggest Mardi Gras party, the Krewe of Endymion parade is the parade to see. Since 1967, this all-male super-krewe has put on the city's biggest spectacle, with over 3,100 participants and 37 floats. The first ball was held in 1857 by the Mistick Krewe of Comus. Comus hosted the first parade, followed by Rex in 1872, which debuted the king of Mardi Gras. The Rex parade gave Mardi Gras the official colors of purple to represent justice, green to represent faith, and gold to represent power. The three colors were to represent the “king.” Click on the Mardi Gras krewes below for further information about the krewe and to see their usual route for each parade. Please note: Events and activities are subject to change without notice. Stay tuned to the site for further info. Stay tuned to Facebook or Instagram for any last-minute weather updates to the schedule. Parades commemorating Mardi Gras officially began in 1838. By 1857, they’d attracted so much drunkenness and violence that city officials wanted to ban them. The Cowbellion de Rakin Society proposed forming a private club that would stage its own parade as an orderly alternative. Today, more than 70 krewes parade through New Orleans on Mardi Find out where to watch the Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans from different perspectives, such as Lee Circle, balconies, grandstands, and Canal Street. Learn the pros and cons of each spot, the best time to visit, and the parades to expect. Day Parades . 1. Rex. For 146 of the city’s 300 years Rex has been around setting standards for the carnival and enriching Mardi Gras as it is imitated across the continent. This is the classic Mardi Gras parade at its best done by a krewe that does things right. Rex always uses original design to carry across a usually literary theme. Click on the Mardi Gras krewes below for further information about the krewe and to see their usual route for each parade. Please note: Events and activities are subject to change without notice. Stay tuned to the site for further info. The Best 2025 Mardi Gras Parades What is a Krewe? Mardi Gras in New Orleans revolves around the Krewes — the organizations that create the parades and events that define the season. There are hundreds of Krewes in New Orleans, each with its own history, traditions, themes, parade types, and signature “throws.” The New Orleans City Council passed new Mardi Gras parade rules in early 2014. Be sure you know them before you head out to the parades to avoid tickets, and to avoid bringing a bunch of stuff that you'll just have to move later. The new rules are as follows: Best Places to Watch Mardi Gras Parades in New Orleans Hey there, folks! Toxigon here, your friendly neighborhood blogger, and today we're diving into the vibrant world of Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. If you're planning to catch the action in 2025, you're in for a treat. But with so many spots Just moved to Louisiana this past April from the west coast and have never been to any Mardi Gras events before. Any recommendations on events and/or parades to attend? There’s so much going on, just want to see a classic New Orleans celebration! On Mardi Gras Children’s Day (February 19), kids can make their own Mardi Gras souvenirs, learn about Carnival history, and attend a parade that includes children of Mardi Gras krewe members Click on the Mardi Gras krewes below for further information about the krewe and to see their usual route for each parade. Please note: Events and activities are subject to change without notice. Stay tuned to the site for further info. Lundi Gras, the day before Mardi Gras, is a celebration in its own right. The Krewe of Red Beans (krewe costumes are made from the city’s iconic legume) marches through the Marigny and Bywater The Best Family-Friendly Hotels for Mardi Gras. Thanks to the constant disruptions from the parades, the traffic in New Orleans can slow to a halt during Mardi Gras, so it’s ideal to stay somewhere that you can walk to the parades and other attractions. New Orleans Suites Hotels with Kitchenettes The 2025 New Orleans Carnival season starts on Saturday, Jan. 6, and concludes on Mardi Gras, Tuesday, March 4.
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