Despite what you might have heard, Mardi Gras actually is a family-friendly event. Image courtesy of Mills Baker via Flickr. 2. Carnival Veterans Go Long, Not Hard. Given that Mardi Gras is the culmination of a month-long party, any skillful local will avoid drinking the whole keg in a single night. 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? I’ve been to my fair share of parades, and I can honestly say it’s worth the journey. If you’re new to the large-than-life celebration that is Mardi Gras, I want to share with you my tips and tricks for a successful and enjoyable parade experience. Keep these nine things in mind, and you’ll be golden (and purple and green). 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 What happens in Mardi Gras in New Orleans? The lowdown on what to expect. Mardi Gras is all about fun, vibrancy, and celebration. All you need to do is look at some of the famous Mardi Gras photos to tell that! But what actually happens during Mardi Gras in New Orleans? Mardi Gras isn't the time to hold back and throw on jeans and a t-shirt. It might even be time to go on a shopping spree. Have fun with it. Where to stay during Mardi Gras. If it's your first Mardi Gras, you're likely going to want to be in the middle of all the action — as you should be. Mardi Gras comes to a close on Tuesday night, and soon, those who celebrate will exclaim “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” or “Let the good times roll” for the last time this Carnival season. Mardi Gras parades. Mardi Gras parades are the highlight of the season. Staged by "krewes"—Carnival organizations—these parades range from small, costumed walking groups to a rolling party of My Mardi Gras essentials: a bike (to help you get around inside and outside the box), a backpack cooler bag filled with a pre-mixed cocktail and a top that screws back on (like Saba’s Dionysius Revival), a ziploc of clean ice for making your to-go cocktails, a few go-cups, and a fanny pack (need to be hands-free to catch throws!). 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 Bacchus Bash (March 2, 2025): Krewe of Bacchus throws a big all-day Mardi Gras block party on Super Sunday (the Sunday before Mardi Gras) featuring live music, DJs, and VIP open bar ticket options to celebrate their historic parade. Pricing ranges from $75-600. 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 Mardi Gras Bar Crawl: Kick off Mardi Gras festivities with the exciting Mardi Gras Bar Crawl on Saturday, February 22, 2025. Starting at 4 PM, this high-energy celebration takes revelers on a thrilling journey through Atlanta’s hottest bars and venues, each bursting with carnival-themed fun. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic Experience Mardi Gras in Pagedale with a tent party atmosphere. Rain or shine, festivalgoers can come together in a spacious tent to enjoy live music, food and drinks. When: March 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. What to expect: Admission is $10 and includes full in-and-out access. Drinks are available for purchase from Drink House STL; explore food LAFAYETTE PARISH — The Carencro Mardi Gras parade is set to roll on Saturday, February 15th. The Carencro Mardi Gras Association recently shared an update on social media, outlining some key In our latest travel vlog as we venture to the Big Easy, providing a firsthand perspective of what to expect during Mardi Gras in New Orleans (NOLA). Immerse Tags: Mardi gras galveston, Galveston safety measures, Galveston mardi gras security, Galveston road closures, Galveston police presence, Galveston emergency plans, Galveston historical marker 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1 – Krewe of Bonaparte Mardi Gras Parade is scheduled at the intersection of Jefferson and Simcoe Streets, then along the parade route before turning into Cajun Field Don’t plan on vacationing in New Orleans during Mardi Gras unless you are coming specifically for Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is also the worst time to experience the "real New Orleans" as the entire city is centered around the parades. Most restaurants and attractions will be closed and there will be insanely long wait times for the ones that are
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