Mardi Gras in New Orleans is one of the few remaining American experiences that justifies the descriptor "unmissable." The scale, the history, the Creole culture underneath it, the parades running from 10 AM until midnight — it's unlike anything else in the US. And unlike most major American festivals, the core of it is free.
Fat Tuesday 2027 is March 2. If you're planning ahead, book flights and hotels now. Mardi Gras week is one of the highest hotel-demand periods in the country, and rates in the French Quarter can triple from their normal price.
What Mardi Gras Actually Is
Mardi Gras translates to "Fat Tuesday" in French — the last day of indulgence before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. New Orleans has been celebrating continuously since 1837, making it one of the longest-running civic festivals in American history.
The event is organized around Krewes: private social organizations whose members pay annual dues and use those funds to build floats, purchase throws, and produce the parades. The Krewes operate independently; the city provides parade permits and public safety coverage. This structure means there's no central organizer for Mardi Gras — it's a collection of several dozen independent parades running across multiple weeks.
The most-recognized Mardi Gras colors are purple (symbolizing justice), gold (power), and green (faith). Established in 1872.
The Key Parades for 2027
Endymion (Saturday, February 27): One of the two largest parades, rolling through Mid-City. Known for massive, elaborately lit floats and celebrity grand marshals. The throw density on this route is high; this is a good parade for catching specialty throws beyond standard beads.
Bacchus (Sunday, February 28): The other contender for largest parade. Rolls from Uptown through the Central Business District. Bacchus is known for its scale and the krewe's tradition of naming a celebrity as the parade's king.
Orpheus (Lundi Gras, March 1): Harry Connick Jr. co-founded this krewe and it has become one of the most anticipated parades of the season. Rolls the afternoon of Lundi Gras and is a favorite for being slightly less overwhelming than the weekend parades.
Zulu (Fat Tuesday, March 2): Rolls early morning on Mardi Gras Day, starting at Jackson Ave and S. Claiborne Ave. Famous for hand-painted golden coconuts, which have been among the most coveted Mardi Gras throws since the early 1900s. The krewe was founded in 1909 by Black New Orleanians and is one of the most historically significant organizations in Mardi Gras history.
Rex (Fat Tuesday, March 2): The daytime signature parade on Fat Tuesday, rolling through Uptown and down St. Charles Avenue. Rex is considered the "King of Carnival" by tradition and the parade includes the Rex King float from which throws are distributed by the krewe's honored king.
Galactic Lundi Gras (FREE 5 AM Sunrise Set): Every Lundi Gras morning, the New Orleans band Galactic performs a free sunrise set at Woldenberg Park on the Mississippi River waterfront. This has become one of the more beloved Mardi Gras traditions for locals and serious visitors. Starting at 5 AM is the catch; the reward is a free concert at sunrise over the river before the day's parades begin.
What to Pack
Layers. Late February in New Orleans can be cold in the morning, warm by afternoon, and rain at any hour. A lightweight rain poncho (packable enough to fit in a waist pack) is more useful than anything else you bring.
Comfortable shoes. You'll walk 8–12 miles per day. Comfortable, broken-in footwear is non-negotiable.
A hands-free bag. Catching parade throws requires two free hands. An anti-theft waist pack or crossbody bag keeps your phone and wallet secure while both hands are in the air.
A folding chair. For the big Saturday and Sunday parades, getting a good spot means arriving 3–4 hours early. A lightweight folding chair makes the wait comfortable.
A costume. Not required, but the experience is better with one. Creativity over budget; some of the best costumes at Mardi Gras are assembled from thrift stores.
Earplugs. Marching bands are loud. If you're watching back-to-back parades all day, they're worth having.
Navigating Transportation
The French Quarter and parade routes are closed to vehicular traffic during the main parade days. This is by design. Walking and biking are the primary options. The city has Lime and Bird e-bikes and scooters available; they work well for covering ground between parade routes.
Parking lots near the route fill early and the fees are high. If you have a car, park further out and walk in, or use your hotel parking. Rideshares are unreliable during Mardi Gras — the demand spikes during parade starts and ends and surge pricing is severe.
Plan for your group to potentially get separated in large crowds. Designate a meeting spot in advance that everyone knows, separate from your phones.
10 Things to Know About Mardi Gras
- Mardi Gras translates to "Fat Tuesday" in French.
- New Orleans has been celebrating Mardi Gras since 1837.
- The official colors — purple, gold, and green — were established in 1872. Purple means justice, gold means power, green means faith.
- The parade season begins January 6 (Epiphany/King's Day) and runs through Fat Tuesday.
- Krewes are private social organizations that fund, build, and operate each parade independently.
- Open alcoholic beverages in plastic containers are legal on public streets in New Orleans (glass is prohibited).
- The parade throws tradition started in the 1870s. Beads, cups, and stuffed animals are standard; specialty throws like Zulu's hand-painted coconuts are highly coveted.
- The first formal Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans was held on February 24, 1857.
- The King Cake tradition involves a coffee cake with purple, gold, and green icing and a hidden plastic baby. Whoever gets the baby in their slice hosts the next party.
- Masks were originally worn at Mardi Gras to let people of different social classes interact without regard to status.
Safety Tips
Open plastic containers are allowed on the street; glass is not. Know which is which before bringing drinks outside.
Arrange a meeting spot with your group before entering parade crowds. Cell service degrades severely in dense crowds.
Arrive at your spot early, especially for the major parades (3–4 hours is the realistic window for a good position).
Be careful around moving floats. Don't run into the street after dropped throws until the float has completely passed.
Make dinner reservations far in advance. Every restaurant in the city is booked solid during Mardi Gras week. Street food vendors are your best fallback option for quick meals.
Hotels should be booked months in advance. Check the hotel widget below for availability, but expect elevated rates throughout Mardi Gras week.
