Mardi Gras isn’t a party. It’s a marathon of parties. Here’s how to do it right without dying.
The Basics
When Is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) falls 47 days before Easter. It moves every year:
- 2026: February 17
- 2027: February 9
- 2028: February 29
- 2029: February 13
The “season” runs from January 6 (Twelfth Night) through Fat Tuesday, but the big parades happen the two weeks before.
The Must-Know Days
Thursday before Mardi Gras: Major parades start (Muses) Friday: Hermes, Le Krewe d’Etat Saturday: Endymion (massive) Sunday: Bacchus (celebrity king) Monday (Lundi Gras): Orpheus, Proteus Fat Tuesday: Zulu, Rex, walking parades, total chaos
Where to Be
Parade Routes
Most major parades follow similar routes:
Uptown Route: St. Charles Avenue from Napoleon to Canal Street
- Best for: Families, catching throws, real NOLA experience
- Vibe: More local, less chaotic
Mid-City Route: Orleans Avenue, turns on Canal
- Best for: Endymion specifically
- Vibe: Huge crowds, party atmosphere
French Quarter: Rex enters on Canal, walking parades throughout
- Best for: Fat Tuesday specifically
- Vibe: Maximum chaos, tourist-heavy
Where to Watch
St. Charles Avenue (between Napoleon and Louisiana)
- Classic parade experience
- Bring your own chairs, ladders for kids
- Arrive 2-3 hours early for good spots
Canal Street at St. Charles
- Major intersection, lots of action
- Standing room only, very crowded
- Best for first-timers who want the full chaos
Magazine Street
- Smaller, quirky parades
- More local vibe
- Great for the ‘Tit Rex parade
Survival Tips
Pacing Yourself
This is the #1 mistake people make. Mardi Gras is a marathon:
- Start slow: First few days, don’t go too hard
- Hydrate: Seriously. Water between drinks.
- Eat real food: Not just parade snacks
- Take breaks: Go home, rest, come back
- Save energy for Tuesday: That’s the main event
What to Wear
- Comfortable shoes: You’ll walk miles
- Layers: Mornings are cold, afternoons warm up
- Costumes encouraged: Get creative, especially on Fat Tuesday
- Purple, green, gold: Mandatory
- Nothing you care about: It will get dirty
What to Bring
- Cash: Many vendors are cash-only
- Portable charger: Your phone will die
- Small bag/fanny pack: Keep essentials close
- Sunscreen: Even in February
- Hand sanitizer: Trust us
What NOT to Bring
- Valuables: Leave them at the house
- Glass: Prohibited at parades
- Coolers on wheels: Prohibited in French Quarter
- Bad attitude: Leave it at home
The Do’s and Don’ts
DO:
- Book accommodations 6-12 months ahead
- Learn to say “throw me something, mister!”
- Try a king cake (the one with the baby)
- Watch Zulu (earliest parade on Tuesday, unique throws)
- Stay for Rex (noon on Tuesday, traditional)
- Explore beyond Bourbon Street
DON’T:
- Drive anywhere during Mardi Gras
- Flash for beads (it’s actually rare outside Bourbon)
- Get separated from your group without a plan
- Forget to pace yourself
- Wait until the last minute to book
- Sleep through Zulu (you’ll regret it)
Food & Drink Strategy
The Classics to Try
- King Cake: It’s everywhere. Randazzo’s and Dong Phuong are favorites
- Crawfish: Season starts around Mardi Gras
- Gumbo: Every restaurant has a version
- Po’boys: Parkway, Domilise’s, Crabby Jack’s
Drinking Strategy
The city is wet—you can drink anywhere:
- Go-cups: Bars will put your drink in a to-go cup
- Hand Grenades: The tourist trap drink (strong)
- Hurricanes: Pat O’Brien’s is the original
- Local beer: Abita, Urban South, Courtyard
Eating During Parades
- Vendors everywhere: Hot dogs, jambalaya, etc.
- Bring snacks: Stock a backpack
- Restaurant reservations: Hard to get, book ahead or eat early/late
Getting Around
Transportation
- Walk: Best option for most things
- Uber/Lyft: Surge pricing is insane, plan accordingly
- Streetcar: St. Charles line is useful, but slow during parades
- Don’t drive: Parking is impossible, streets close
The French Quarter During Mardi Gras
On Fat Tuesday, the Quarter is a zoo:
- Bourbon Street: Maximum chaos, shoulder-to-shoulder
- Royal Street: Slightly less insane
- Frenchmen Street: More locals, still packed
Safety
General Tips
- Stay with your group: Designate meeting points
- Keep phone charged: For finding each other
- Watch your drinks: Standard bar safety
- Trust your instincts: If something feels off, leave
- Know your limits: Help is available, ask
If You Get Separated
- Have a meeting spot: Agree in advance (your house, a specific corner)
- Share locations: Use Find My Friends or equivalent
- Have the address: Everyone should know where you’re staying
Sample Mardi Gras Schedule
Thursday
- Arrive, settle in
- Evening: Catch Muses parade (one of the best)
Friday
- Daytime: Rest, explore
- Evening: Hermes, d’Etat parades
Saturday
- Daytime: Magazine Street parades
- Evening: Endymion (the big one)
Sunday
- Daytime: Rest and recover
- Evening: Bacchus parade
Monday (Lundi Gras)
- Daytime: French Quarter exploring
- Evening: Orpheus, Proteus
Fat Tuesday
- 8am: Zulu parade (don’t miss it)
- Noon: Rex parade
- All day: Walking parades, French Quarter chaos
- Midnight: It’s over (Ash Wednesday)
Budget Reality Check
Mardi Gras is expensive. Expect:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodations (group split) | $200-400/person |
| Food (5 days) | $200-300/person |
| Drinks | $150-300/person |
| Ubers (if any) | $50-100/person |
| Total | $600-1,100/person |
This assumes you’re staying in a group property and not going crazy. Hotels and last-minute bookings cost significantly more.
Ready to book? Check out our recommended properties that actually fit your crew and are available for Mardi Gras.