A Guide to New Orleans Mardi Gras

Did you know that it’s already the Mardi Gras season? Well, officially Mardi Gras celebrations can start as early as January 6th (also known as Twelfth Night or Three Kings Day). Are you thinking of visiting New Orleans, one of the most popular places for Mardi Gras? Here’s a guide to New Orleans Mardi Gras.

What is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras officially translates to Fat Tuesday in French. It happens on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, a Cristian holiday marking the beginning of Lent. Lent is the 40 days before Easter which represents fasting. Therefore, Fat Tuesday become a popular day to feast and have festivities before the Lent season.

In New Orleans, because it was a popular area for French and French Canadian immigrants, Mardi Gras, and Mardi Gras Parades, became a signature season in the Cresent City.

What is a Krewe?

Often, you will see the Mardi Gras Parade schedule with names such as Krewe of Little Rascals, Krewe of Dionysus, Krewe of Jefferson, and so many more. Krewe simply refers to the private organization putting on the parade. It is just an archaic variant of the word crew, but it is most often associated with New Orleans. Many krewes represent the ancient Greek gods, however, you’ll even find the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus. 

Mardi Gras Float By the Krewe of Tucks

Where is the Mardi Gras Parade Routes?

Each Krewe has its own routes, so you’ll need to check the schedule for the desired parade you wish to attend. New Orleans.com has a full parade schedule here. 

Rex, on Mardi Gras day, is the perhaps the most popular of all the parades and for good reason. It’s been around since 1872. Rex starts on Napolean Ave in the Freret district and makes its way along St. Charles Ave before ending in the French Quarter. Rex happens during the day, but many parades take place in the evenings. And while all the parades follow different routes, St. Charles Ave is a popular street.

Want specific LGBTQ Mardi Gras events? There are plenty! Check out the balls, krewes, and even a costume contest here. 

When is Mardi Gras Over?

Because Mardi Gras varies, the same as the Easter Holiday, it falls on a different date each year. In 2020, Mardi Gras takes place on February 25th. 2021 will be February 16th and 2022 is March 1st. 

Visiting New Orleans outside of Mardi Gras Season

If you can’t make it to New Orleans during the Mardi Gras Season, you shouldn’t count out this eclectic city. You can get your Mardi Gras on year-round at a few of the city’s museums. Mardi Gras World is the world’s largest float designing and building. Also take note of the House of Dance and Feathers on Tupelo St and the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture on Conti St. There are also haunted tours in New Orleans.

We hope you found this Guide to New Orleans Mardi Gras helpful. Interested in going to Mardi Gras in New Orleans? Interested in Mardi Gras or Carnival elsewhere? We can help you book and plan it all!

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