Mardi Gras in New Orleans is famous around the world for its unparalleled street parties, wild celebrations, and across the board revelry, and the parades are an indispensable part of the city's rich and distinctive culture. 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. 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. This means that the weekend when the major New Orleans Mardi Gras parades will be taking place is on the last weekend of February, which is, more specifically, from Feb. 28 through March 2. Here is a refined list of the best Mardi Gras 2025 parades so you don’t miss out on the best time of the year! 1) Rio Carnival 2025: Brazil’s Biggest Carnival When someone mentions “Carnival,” Rio de Janeiro – the self-proclaimed “ Carnival Capital of the World “- instantly pops into your head! Krewe of Bacchus – February 10, 2024. Next up, it's the Krewe of Bacchus, one of the biggest and most famous parades of the season.This one's got massive floats, tons of celebrities, and some of the best throws (that's Mardi Gras speak for stuff they toss from the floats). Known as the "King of Carnival," Rex is responsible for the official Mardi Gras colors — purple, green and gold — and is one of the most prestigious krewes in New Orleans. The Krewe of Zulu marched in Mardi Gras as early as 1901 and offers one of the most sought-after Mardi Gras throws — the Zulu coconut or the “Golden Nugget.” The New Orleans is famous for many events and festivals throughout the year, but Mardi Gras is at the top of many lists of why people love the Crescent City. Our next Mardi Gras day will be on March 4, 202 5, but the fun starts way before then! The 2025 Carnival Season -- marked by a weekslong pre-Lenten bash and complete with colorful parades, shimmery beads tossed from floats and streets lined with costumed revelers -- is reaching its conclusion on the Gulf Coast. Bacchus (Sunday before Mardi Gras): Famous for its theatrical themes and larger-than-life parade features. Orpheus (Monday before Mardi Gras): Known for creative floats and sought-after throws like four-foot stuffed dragons and custom-decorated tambourines. Mardi Gras is not just for humans; New Orleans hosts a "Krewe of Barkus" parade, where dogs don costumes and join the fun. The largest Mardi Gras float ever built was over 330 feet long and carried more than 200 riders. Mardi Gras in Popular Culture. Mardi Gras has made its mark in popular culture, appearing in movies, music, and literature. Reporting for TODAY, NBC’s Kaylee Hartung shares a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic floats in Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans and the family behind its historic legacy. (Sponsored by New 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.” Algiers Mardi Gras Parade and Festival. The Algiers Mardi Gras Parade and Festival will be back on Saturday, February 1 at New Orleans Federal City in Algiers. Entertainment will include Brass-A-Holics, Amanda Shaw, The U.S. Marine Reserve Jazz Band and more. The parade starts at 9 a.m. and the Festival begins at 10 a.m. New Orleans, Louisiana, is famous for Mardi Gras. Parades are a large component of the celebration. These parades feature floats. Individuals on the floats toss beads and other things to the audience. Individuals dress in costume and wear masks. Music is also a component of the celebration. It is a celebration where people get to have fun Mardi Gras is a colorful mix of cultural experiences that unite people in amazing ways. It happens in New Orleans and other Gulf Coast cities. These activities make memories that last a lifetime for everyone involved. Traditional Parade Customs. Mardi gras parades are the core of the carnival. They feature floats with detailed designs moving 10. What is the most famous Mardi Gras parade? The Rex Parade is one of the most famous and historic Mardi Gras parades, featuring the King of Carnival. Conclusion. Mardi Gras is more than just a day of parades and parties; it is a deep-rooted tradition with a fascinating history and unique customs. FEBRUARY 22, 2025. Lake Arthur Mardi Gras Run and Parade will be held February 22; LAFAYETTE PARISH . FEBRUARY 15, 2025. Carencro Mardi Gras Parade rolls at 11 am at Carencro High School and ends This means that the weekend when the major New Orleans Mardi Gras parades will be taking place is on the last weekend of February, which is, more specifically, from Feb. 28 through March 2.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |