Rupali Dean
05-Dec-2025
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a riot of sound and colour, where tradition merges with creativity, and every corner erupts in joyous celebration. Join this vibrant spectacle of parades, music, and decadent delights!
When the winter sun melts away and the days are filled with a mix of colours, New Orleans is a sea of mirth as it celebrates Mardi Gras, the oldest Carnival celebration in the United States. With its roots in pagan celebrations, the festival has evolved into a Carnival that echoes the spirit of the Crescent City, as the strains of jazz music accompany the laughter of locals donning homemade masks and costumes in the warm Louisiana sunshine. The Twelfth Night kicks off the Carnival season on January 6 with Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) falling the day before Ash Wednesday. Next year, Mardi Gras will mark the end of Carnival season on February 17, 2026, when the streets are alive with revellers seeking fellowship and fun. New Orleans has become the carnival capital of the world, and when the city is adorned in a rainbow of hues, it is time to wear your beads, don a feathered mask, and join in the exuberant joy that fills the streets, bringing people together in a celebration of culture, joy, and creativity.
A WHIRLWIND OF FESTIVITIES
Credits: Louisiana Tourism
A Gleeful Procession
Picture a parade of floats down the avenues with their silhouettes against the sky and several beads falling as if confetti. Your eyes and ears will be treated to the sight and sound of the parades, as each krewe has a story to tell, and each float is a masterpiece of creativity and culture in the heart of this vibrant city. There are traditional parades such as the Krewe of Rex, the "King of Carnival" founded in 1872 and known for its royal pageantry, and Zulu, which has been parading since 1909, known for its hand-painted coconuts thrown from floats like shooting stars of gaiety. There are also more light hearted parades, such as Krewe du Vieux, where irreverence meets revelry, a satire and cheekiness-filled parade that is a mix of marching bands and micro krewes, creating a unique New Orleans experience that combines the laughter of the crowds with the brass music of the bands.
Local Lingo
The language of Mardi Gras navigating the celebratory chaos of Mardi Gras requires a crash course in local lingo, the challenge of the crowds to the floats is to throw them something, “throw me something, mister!” King Cake is a ring shaped pastry with a plastic baby hidden inside, a symbol of good luck. Don a mask, wear a colourful bead necklace, and lose yourself in the spirit of the Crescent City, all while listening to the sounds of the brass bands.
Nibbles of Joy
Credits: Louisiana Tourism
New Orleans is home to some of the best nibbles, and there is no better way to kick off the day than with a slice of the city’s finest king cake (fluffy, sweet, and lightly spiced with cinnamon) at Don Phuong Bakery (line snaking out the door early in the morning). If the Cajun spirit is calling you, participate in a crawfish boil, a social dining experience that results in a communal table of laughter, stories, and that true Louisiana charm.
The House Floats: A Unique Offering
One of the city’s most charming traditions is the now-legendary Mardi Gras house floats. Rather than strictly limiting the celebration to public parades, residents have transformed their homes into whimsical displays of artistry and merriment. Stroll through neighbourhoods to discover these hidden gems, where creativity knows no bounds, sometimes you’ll find pirates on porches or wild animals perched atop fences, all serving as a reminder that the spirit of Mardi Gras embraces everyone, from the streets to the homes.
A Roof over Revelry
There are so many hotels in New Orleans, and your choice of accommodations can make a world of difference in your Mardi Gras experience. If you want to be in the centre of it all, the Pontchartrain Hotel on St. Charles Avenue was once the place where dignitaries stayed and is now a classic hotel with a rooftop bar where you can have cocktails and watch the parade go by. With so many different hotels to choose from, they all have their own experience to offer, from luxury to charm to being close to the action, and New Orleans has it. If the crowds become too much, head to City Park, where the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden provides a quiet oasis surrounded by greenery, where the noise of the carnival recedes, and you can find a moment of quiet to recharge before you jump back into the fray.
The Spirit of Mardi Gras
The spirit of Mardi Gras lingers on in another way, recycling. Volunteer with local organizations such as the Arc of Greater New Orleans to sort through the tangled mess of beads that cover the streets after the party and recycle the muddled mess into a lovely contribution to the city that embraced you. Get in the spirit and let the celebration begin! As Fat Tuesday arrives, prepare for an explosion of colour, culture, and community in a city that moves to its own beat and respects its past with dignity. Pack your bags, bring a playful spirit, and let yourself be swept up in the glorious extravaganza that is Mardi Gras, where every day is a festival!
Cover Credits: Louisiana Tourism
