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The Zulu parade is always the first thing on the day of Mardi Gras, traversing through uptown New Orleans on Tuesday morning. The krewe also throws a massive Lundi Gras Festival on Monday at Woldenberg Park that's free and open to all, featuring live music, delicious Cajun food, and the presentation of the parade characters. 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.” The French Quarter is a fantastic place to be during Mardi Gras as it’s one of New Orleans’ most popular spots. However, if you’re wondering where to watch the Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans with kids in tow, you need to avoid this area as it’s simply not family-friendly. New Orleans takes Mardi Gras seriously, with traditions including king cake and parades beginning in January and lasting for weeks until the actual holiday itself. 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 Best Mardi Gras Parades in New Orleans What is a Krewe? At the heart of Mardi Gras in New Orleans are the Krewes. Long story short, the Krewes are the organizations behind the Mardi Gras parades and events. There are hundreds of Krewes in New Orleans! Some have been around for decades while others are entirely new. 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. The essence of Mardi Gras lies in its parades. Each parade, from little walking krewes to large processions with elaborate floats, follows a different theme, displaying the originality and energy of New Orleans. Notable parades to watch out for include: No Mardi Gras experience is complete without New Orleans comes alive during Mardi Gras in ways that are impossible to capture until you’ve seen it with your own eyes. The vibrant parades, dazzling costumes, and infectious energy create an experience that's truly one-of-a-kind—but, let’s be honest, it can also overwhelm first-timers. Celebrate Mardi Gras traditions throughout New Orleans: Twelfth Night, Chewbacchus, Zulu, Rex and more. Click here to find the best Mardi Gras events in 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. 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 Parade Schedule. Mardi Gras is more than just a day, or one week, or even a weekend. Starting January 6 (Twelfth Night), New Orleans has parades in the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras Day, which falls on March 4, 2025. Take a look at the parades below and click on each to learn more. The first Mardi Gras celebration was in 1703, in Mobile, Alabama.The Mardi Gras festival was introduced to New Orleans years later. “It was in 1857 that the Mobile members of the Cowbellian de Rakin Society, formed in 1830, traveled to New Orleans and assisted with the formation of the Krewe of Comus, considered New Orleans’ most 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.” This year, Mardi Gras is Tuesday, March 4. Mardi Gras parades. Mardi Gras parades are the highlight of the season. Staged by "krewes"—Carnival organizations—these parades range from small With over 70 parades planned for the Mardi Gras Parade in 2025, New Orleans’s streets will soon be awash in purple, green, and gold. The only thing that can possibly put a damper on your Mardi Gras spirit is not knowing where to go or where to park your car during the parades. 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: You may also want to consider taking your kids to the parades in suburban areas like Metairie, which is only 10 minutes away from New Orleans. Metairie's Caesar parade, the Saturday before Mardi Gras weekend, is the parade Disneyworld features on Mardi Gras day. Kids love it! Family Gras 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
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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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