The season, which represents a time of celebration before Christian Lent, lasts until Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras Day, is March 4, 2025. Between January 6 and March 4, enjoy parades, king cake, community celebrations, and more. For a list of future Mardi Gras Day dates, see here. Where in New Orleans can I experience Mardi Gras? The Bower Bar does it just right with a selection of small plates to nosh on while you get in the spirit with specialty drinks like the Carnival Negroni (with housemade glittered Campari), the St Consider them a Mardi Gras offering. Costumes Are Encouraged (and Sometimes Required) If you’re not in a wig, sequins, or at least a feather boa, are you even doing Mardi Gras right? And on Mardi Gras day wear a heavy coat, shorts, tank top and sneakers because the weather changes from winter wonderland to summer by noon.- Tamsy Kambi Step away from the Hand Grenade on Bourbon Street and head to Frenchmen Street, Tipitina's, One Eyed Jacks, Gasa Gasa, you get the idea. If you're in town for Mardi Gras, you can expect the live performances to be downright legendary. Related: The first-timer's guide to New Orleans: Everything you need to eat, see and do. What to pack for Mardi Zulu and Rex (March 4, Mardi Gras Day): These iconic parades roll back-to-back, marking the grand finale of the Carnival season. What To Eat And Other Things To Consider. No Mardi Gras experience is complete without indulging in king cake, the essential snack of the season. Just call the Mardi Gras World shuttle service (number on their website), and they’ll come pick you up. Tickets for your visit and tour can be bought in advance here. Mardi Gras world is also included on the New Orleans sightseeing pass and t he Go City New Orleans Pass. 5. Visit the Mardi Gras Museum of Costume and Culture Orpheus (Monday before Mardi Gras): Known for creative floats and sought-after throws like four-foot stuffed dragons and custom-decorated tambourines. Zulu (Mardi Gras Day): Beloved for its unique throws, including the iconic hand-decorated coconuts. Rex (Mardi Gras Day): One of the oldest and most traditional parades, featuring a regal First-Timers New Orleans Mardi Gras Guide. Mardi Gras, which means “Fat Tuesday” in French, is a carnival celebration that takes place in many parts of the world, but is especially famous in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. The festival is held annually on the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Christian season of “Mardi Gras season is king cake season,” said Cook. King cakes are a ring-shaped, cinnamon-studded pastry topped with purple, gold, and green icing that has been a part of the Nola Mardi Gras tradition since 1870. Where to go?“My number-one favorite is Antoine’s Famous Cakes. They do a cake called the Queen Cake. Mardi Gras occurs all over Louisiana, although New Orleans’ celebration is the most famous. Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) receives flights from around the world, but fair warning, tickets can get pretty expensive near Mardi Gras day. One of the top things to do at Mardi Gras is see (or even better yet — join) a parade. Q: When and where do the Mardi Gras Indians parade? The Mardi Gras Indians only parade on Mardi Gras day and on Super Sunday (generally the 3rd Sunday closest to St. Joseph’s Day in March). The Mardi Gras day routes are not published anywhere, but they happen in and around their inner-city neighborhoods. One of the most festive holidays is upon us—Mardi Gras.The celebratory last day of carnival season precedes Lent, which means that many people do their best to indulge in all their favorite Mardi Gras is Coming! Get ready to experience the vibrant spirit of New Orleans right here for a Mardi Gras celebration that's sure to ignite your senses and get your heart racing (literally!). This party is FREE and open to the public – so gather your krewe and prepare for a day of Big Easy fun! Featuring Vibraphonist Joe Baione. The final step of hosting a Mardi Gras party is to let loose and have fun. Encourage people to dress up in their favorite Mardi Gras-themed outfits. You can even host a costume contest where people can show off their Mardi Gras outfits. Some Mardi Gras costumes include pirates, jester outfits, and alligator costumes. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is arguably the best party you'll find in the United States. Every year over a million people travel to New Orleans to join in the fun during Carnival season, which begins on January 6, known as Epiphany or Twelfth Night, and lasts until Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday." I particularly like doing Mardi Gras decorations because as you know I am from Lousiana and we sure know how to party when it comes to Mardi Gras. Did you know that the state of Louisiana is the only state that makes Mardi Gras a holiday! Supplies . hot glue gun; wire cutters; picks and sprays Mardi Gras Ball, jester hat, boxwood gold glitter stem The right way to do Mardi Gras in St. Louis is to participate in more than just the one Saturday since there are events most weekends from 12th Night (Jan 6) to the Saturday Party Party. Here is a link to the event schedule. I highly recommend going out the weekend before the Mardi Gras Saturday for the Taste of Soulard! Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline. White Labeling. Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline. Mardi Gras, a vibrant and joyous celebration steeped in tradition, is a time for revelry, feasting, and the shedding of inhibitions. As the world watches in awe of the colorful parades, elaborate costumes, and infectious energy that define this festive occasion, it’s natural to want to join in the merriment. In all seriousness, though, on Mardi Gras day and the quarter tons of people will be dressed up. Lots of people also dress in costume for Saint Charles Avenue on Mardi Gras day. For other days that are not Mardi Gras day, it’s a mix of things. A lot of people dress casually, but try to have on something purple green or gold.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |