Mardi Gras 2024 in New Orleans

The Mardi Gras is not just a day, not just a festival. Mardi Gras is the most colorful, most insane culmination of the carnival season! Being all about music, parades, and self-expression, this event is prepared really thoroughly for months in advance.

New Orleans Mardi Gras includes a lot of traditions, and each street has its own peculiarity to show off during Mardi Gras. For example, coconuts and beads are extremely valuable during Mardi Gras, and some streets will organize different competitions in order for participants to get these treasures. The festival makes the town stop and party so hard that all the eyes are turned on New Orleans!

Mardi Gras Parades

Famous parades take place in New Orleans, starting right after the Epiphany. The culmination occurs on the final day of festivities before the end of carnival season — Fat Tuesday. On this day, several parades take place in different areas, like Metairie, Folsom, Houma, Covington, and Uptown New Orleans. Parades start as early as 8 am and end at about 11 pm. The public is dazzled by the amazing, colorful floats, which take months and thousands of dollars to create.

The Mardi Gras Indians Parade is one of the most famous. It's prepared by two New Orleans groups, each having a distinct style, dance, and costumes to compete with other groups in art and craftsmanship. The parade starts with two group leaders, the Big Chiefs, performing a chant and a ceremonial dance.