TrekUnity
When
February
Attendance
~1,000,000+
Admission
Free
Setting
Outdoor
Mardi Gras is New Orleans at its most exuberant — weeks of parades, marching bands, elaborate floats, masked krewes, and bead-throwing that crescendo on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. It's one of the world's great street celebrations.
Beyond the famous French Quarter revelry, the big parades roll along St. Charles Avenue and Uptown, where families stake out spots to catch throws. King cake, jazz, and Creole feasting round out a uniquely New Orleans experience.
Want to go? Turn Mardi Gras New Orleans into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Two weeks of parades ending on Fat Tuesday (Feb or early March)
Admission
Free to watch the parades · grandstand seats available
Parking
Don't drive near parade routes — streets close for hours; walk, bike, or use the streetcar.
Nearest airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) — ~25 min
Typical weather
Cool, damp New Orleans late winter — 50s–60s °F; layers and comfortable shoes for long parade days.
Official website
Location
New Orleans, LA
Where to stay
Hotel Monteleone
Historic French Quarter hotel with the Carousel Bar.
The Columns
St. Charles Avenue mansion right on a parade route.
Garden District guesthouses
Near the family-friendly Uptown parades.
Where to eat & drink
King cake (Dong Phuong / local bakeries)
The essential Carnival treat.
Commander's Palace
Grande dame of Creole fine dining in the Garden District.
Café du Monde
Beignets and chicory coffee, open around the clock.
Nearby attractions
St. Charles Avenue streetcar
Rolls past the Uptown parade routes and mansions.
French Quarter
The historic heart of the celebration.
Mardi Gras World
Warehouse where the giant floats are built.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + Quarter
- •Fly into MSY
- •Afternoon: French Quarter + beignets
- •Evening: catch an early parade
2Uptown parades
- •Morning: king cake + coffee
- •Afternoon: St. Charles Ave parades
- •Evening: Creole dinner
3Fat Tuesday
- •All day: the big Fat Tuesday parades + costumes
- •Evening: celebrate
4Recover + depart
- •Slow brunch
- •Mardi Gras World
- •Head to MSY
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Watch the Uptown/St. Charles parades for the family-friendly experience.
- Take the streetcar or walk — parade routes close streets for hours.
- Bring a bag for your beads and wear comfortable shoes.
Frequently asked questions
When is Mardi Gras?
The date shifts with the calendar — Fat Tuesday falls the day before Ash Wednesday, in February or early March, with two weeks of parades leading up to it.
Is it family-friendly?
The Uptown and St. Charles Avenue parades are very family-friendly; the French Quarter gets rowdier and more adult, especially at night.
Where do you watch the parades?
St. Charles Avenue and Uptown for classic, family-friendly viewing; arrive early to claim a spot for throws.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Mardi Gras New Orleans or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.