Q: How do I become a Mardi Gras vendor? If you would like to sell Mardi Gras souvenirs or pre-packaged food you'll need a permit from the city of New Orleans. Prices range from $500 to $2,000 depending on whether you'll be walking or have a fixed location. Learn more about permit details. While you can buy tickets to some Mardi Gras Balls and for great seats in viewing stands around the city, most Mardi Gras events and all parades are free. That’s why it’s called “The greatest free show on Earth.” Are there LGBT events during Mardi Gras? It wouldn’t be Mardi Gras in New Orleans without the LGBT community. Insider Tips for Mardi Gras 2025 Do I need Mardi Gras Tickets? No need to buy Mardis Gras tickets! The parades and celebrations are completely free. If you’d prefer to watch from the stands, you can purchase tickets to reserve a seat, but it’s not necessary — you can enjoy every parade without spending a dime. Seats are mainly recommended New Orleans is cranking up the volume for Mardi Gras 2025, and there’s excitement in the air for what is often hailed as the greatest free show on earth. This iconic festival, culminating on Tuesday, March 4, is deeply rooted in Christian and Roman Catholic traditions but has evolved into a secular celebration. 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: If you've landed in New Orleans and someone tries to sell you a "ticket to Mardi Gras," turn around and walk in the opposite direction — quickly. There are no tickets to Mardi Gras. Every parade is a highly public affair, put on by social clubs that spend the whole year preparing for a single day. Where to Stay for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Book your Mardi Gras trip well in advance to make sure you have accommodations. With so much happening, staying near the action can make your Mardi Gras trip much easier. Uptown: Ideal for being close to parade routes while enjoying a quieter neighborhood vibe, great for families. With our Mardi Gras VIP Bourbon Street Balcony Tickets, you can get a full Mardi Gras experience from your coveted spot on one of our two fabulous balconies overlooking the Carnival craziness on Bourbon St. Mardi Gras VIP Tickets include: All you can eat New Orleans cuisine buffet; All you can drink premium open bar; Private bathrooms The Blake Hotel New Orleans is located on the corner of St. Charles Avenue and Poydras where all of the Uptown New Orleans Mardi Gras parades pass. Our property has a huge balcony on the second floor with a great view of the parades. We also will have viewing stands in front of the hotel to be on the street and up close to all the action. Our spacious rooms offer a place you can call home 7. Come face-to-face with a Mardi Gras Indian on Mardi Gras day. Tracing their roots back to a time when Native Americans helped shield runaway slaves, the Mardi Gras Masking Indians can be found parading down the streets on Mardi Gras day in their spectacular hand-sewn suits. Let someone else do the planning for you with this hassle-free 12-day tour of America’s South, including New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Everything is sorted — return flights from London, hotel accommodation, city tours, museum entrance fees, a walking tour and live jazz brunch in the French Quarter, plus tickets for a guaranteed spot to 📍 New Orleans, Louisiana. Ahh, Mardi Gras. Even if you’ve never stepped foot in Louisiana, you’re probably well aware of this extravagant festival. Every year, an approximate 1.5 million people celebrate Carnival Season in The Big Easy, pumping an already vibrant city with an intense level of vibrancy emanating from excited tourists.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |