The weekend before Fat Tuesday is the prime time to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras. This is the weekend when Bacchus and Endymion , two of the biggest parades of the season, roll down the streets of New Orleans. 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. 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.” Catch an early parade. Some of the best Mardi Gras parades take place well before Fat Tuesday. First up is a slew of parades on January 6 to celebrate the start of Carnival season, including Funky Uptown Krewe, Phunny Phorty Phellows, and Krewe of Joan of Arc. Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana is an iconic celebration that welcomes nearly 1.5 million visitors each year, so it’s no surprise that planning your first visit to this world-famous holiday can be quite the daunting task. We had the joy of visiting our first Mardi Gras in 2023 and came up with a list of the top things that we think every Mardi Gras goer could benefit from knowing before While Mardi Gras is no doubt one giant party, its roots trace back to New Orleans’ French Catholic heritage. Blending Pagan and Christian customs, Mardi Gras symbolizes indulgence before the Laissez les bon temps rouler! New Orleans is always great to visit but Mardi Gras season is special! Make sure to catch the Endymion and Bacchus parades, and the Zulu parade on Mardi Gras day. If you want to hear some great music stop by Snug Harbor, the Jazz Market and Preservation Hall! - Adonis Rose Executive Director of the NOCCA Foundation When is Mardi Gras 2025? This year, Mardi Gras, which translates from French to "Fat Tuesday," is on March 4. Ash Wednesday is on March 5, the day marking the start of the 40-day Lenten season Mardi Gras Day is March 4th. However, Carnival Season starts on January 6th, with most of the big parades starting in the 2 weeks leading up to Mardi Gras Day. The weekend before Mardi Gras Day is the most popular for visitors. What happens during Mardi Gras? 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: The first Mardi Gras parade was held in New Orleans by the Krewe of Comus in 1857, and in 1870, Mardi Gras’ second Krewe, the Twelfth Night Revelers, began tossing “throws” (more on these iconic parts of Mardi Gras later). 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. Mardi Gras 2025 Parade Schedules. Each year, the Mardi Gras parade schedule varies. Parades run for several weeks, from Twelfth Night on January 6th to Fat Tuesday (which is March 4th this year). As described above, most of the major parades take place in the two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, with the biggest ones happening on the weekend This ultimate guide explores Mardi Gras New Orleans 2025, from dazzling Mardi Gras Parade celebrations to sweet King Cakes. Dive into parades, balls, local traditions, and tips for an unforgettable Carnival journey. Let the spirit of “Fat Tuesday” ignite your New Orleans adventure! Now! Mardi Gras is less than two weeks away and New Orleans is beginning to kick into full parade mode. As the floats begin to roll and streets start to close down, transportation can be eternally The weekend before Fat Tuesday is the prime time to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras. This is the weekend when Bacchus and Endymion , two of the biggest parades of the season, roll down the streets of New Orleans. Founded in 1933, the Krewe of Mid-City is the 5th-oldest continuously parading organization of the New Orleans Mardi Gras season. Often called "The best day parade in Mardi Gras," Mid-City has gained a reputation for having themes dedicated to children and for having some of the best bands in Mardi read more » Selene follows Dionysus. Aphrodite at 6:00 p.m. in Houma. Saturday, March 1, 2025: NOMTOC at 10:45 a.m. on the Westbank. Iris at 11 a.m. in Uptown New Orleans NEW ORLEANS — Beautiful weather continues through the weekend before Mardi Gras with the only issue potentially being some storms later in the day on Tuesday. Saturday will be warmer with mid to NEW ORLEANS — Carnival season kicked off on January 6 with a rolling party on the city's historic streetcar line and an annual procession honoring Joan of Arc in the French Quarter. Here are the
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