Welcome to the 2025 carnival season in New Orleans, one of the biggest holidays in Louisiana. Every year, over three million people are on the streets of New Orleans during the weekend, Lundi Gras, and Mardi Gras day. On Tuesday, Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday” alone, over one million people are on the streets. Mardi Gras is not a recent holiday, and it has a long history going back at least to the Middle Ages in Europe, and probably even to pre-Christian times. Be sure to enjoy Mardi Gras traditions while you are in New Orleans. OISS has prepared this guide for your convenience.
Mardi Gras Guide and Parade Schedule
General safety suggestions:
- On Mardi Gras day, St. Charles Avenue is family-oriented and very safe and friendly from early morning till late afternoon. Canal Street near the river is pretty much the same during the day but gets rougher at night. The French Quarter and especially Bourbon Street are wild and crazy all day but offer very interesting sights, especially the costume contests.
- As with any large public event, pickpockets and purse-snatchers may be active. Men should not carry wallets in their back pockets. Women should not carry purses. Bring identification and just enough money for the evening. If possible carry your money in several places on your body (front pocket, socks, etc), so if you were to get held up you would have money hidden in an unlikely place. Do not wear expensive jewelry. (Beads are your jewelry!)
- Safe Alcohol Consumption Tips:
- If you drink alcohol, please do so responsibly
- Eat WHILE you drink
- Drink plenty of water
- Only consume one standard drink per hour
- Never leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers
- Do everything a policeman tells you to do and do it right away. The police work double days during Mardi Gras, and they get very short tempered. You don’t want to spend Mardi Gras in jail! Do not touch the police horses without permission. It could be considered assault to an officer, and get you thrown in jail.
- Go to all parades in a group; it is more fun than going alone. If possible, include someone with Mardi Gras experience in your group.
- Use common sense. Stay on main streets and don’t go into strange neighborhoods. If the people around you are friendly, you are probably alright. If they are not friendly, move on.
- Obey all NO PARKING zones as illegally parked vehicles will be towed.
- Do not carry open glass or containers in public.
- Stay behind barricades and cables, they are for your protection. NEVER cross a barricade while a parade is passing.
- Do not press close to floats and do not stand between a tractor and a float. Do not throw things at floats or krewe members or harass them in any way.
- Be aware of where bathrooms can be found. More than likely, your only option will be a “port-a-potty” and/or you will need to pay to use a restroom. It is a good idea to bring some toilet paper with you in your pocket, because the bathroom will most likely be out of it. If you’re concerned with cleanliness, you will definitely want to bring a small hand sanitizer too. Do not urinate on the street. This is the most common arrestable offense during Mardi Gras.
- In case of rain, put your phone in a Ziploc bag so that it doesn’t break
- Texts/calls get slow and unreliable with the amount of people in the area for the parades, so be sure to know who you are going with BEFORE you leave. If you are meeting up with friends later, make sure to have a clear meeting point
☑ Mardi Gras History and Traditions
Every year, over three million people are on the streets of New Orleans during the weekend, Lundi Gras, and Mardi Gras day. On Tuesday, Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday” alone, over one million people are on the streets. Mardi Gras is not a recent holiday, and has a long history going back at least to the Middle Ages in Europe, and probably even to pre-Christian times.
It figures prominently in the earliest history of New Orleans and the area. On March 3, 1699, (Mardi Gras of that year), French explorer Iberville and his men set up camp on the Mississippi River at a spot 60 miles south of the present location of New Orleans, and christened it Point du Mardi Gras. Carnival season actually begins on the 12th night after Christmas, when the Magi were said to have visited the Christ child (hence the origin of the King Cake), and ends on Mardi Gras day, Fat Tuesday. All during the Carnival season the carnival organizations or “krewes” present balls and/or parades.
Mardi Gras season started on the epiphany, January 6. You should be seeing the traditional Mardi Gras or Carnival colors (purple for Justice, green for Faith, and gold for Power everywhere). You have also probably already eaten kingcake. Originally, the baby was placed in the kingcake to symbolize baby Jesus. Fava beans were also used to represent Jesus. Today, the baby symbolizes luck and prosperity to whomever finds it in his/her slice of cake. That person is also responsible for purchasing the next kingcake, or for throwing the next Mardi Gras party. Most local bakeries and grocery stores sell kingcake. If you want to choose between many different types, consider visiting Kingcake Hub. Be sure to try some kingcake and enjoy the tradition for yourself.lf.
Two weekends before Mardi Gras, there are parades Friday night and Saturday day and night as well as Sunday day. During the week before Mardi Gras, there are parades Wednesday- Friday nights as well as during the day on Saturday. There are day and night parades on Sunday, night parades on Monday, and day parades on Tuesday. At the parades, you will see a revival of monarchic rule. Members of the krewes ride on the floats and toss beads and doubloons to the masses below who yell, “Throw me something mister!” You may feel a bit intimidated at first, but you will soon get into the Mardi Gras spirit and be yelling and grabbing beads along with everyone else. The festival is sometimes called the “largest free show on earth,” but don’t just watch; get involved – wear a costume on Mardi Gras.
☑ Local New Orleanian Mardi Gras Tips
- Wear a fun costume is the best way to get in the Mardi Gras spirit! You may see locals dressed in tutus, brightly colored wigs, and sequins. Also, you generally will get more throws if you wear a costume.
- Plan your meals ahead of time. Many restaurants fill up quickly during the carnival season.
- Be respectful of community members and the police.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes. Transportation in the city during Mardi Gras can get crazy so you will be walking a lot.
- Never grab a doubloon with your hand if it is on the ground. Instead, put your foot on it and pick it up once the people around you calm down.
- Bring band-aids and hand sanitizer, just in case.
☑ Tips on Dressing Up or Costuming
Don't just observe the party, be a part of it. There are three routes to go.
- Buy a costume.
- Wear crazy purple, green, and gold.
- Craft an original outfit.
Close to the Tulane uptown campus, the following locations sell items that you could use to make a Mardi Gras outfit:
- Walgreens, 718 South Carrollton Avenue: beads, shirts, boas, etc
- Jefferson Variety, 239 Iris Avenue: cloth, decorating glitter, masks, sequins, hats, beads
- Funky Monkey, 3127 Magazine Street: This resale boutique is your destination for seasonal gear like vintage ballgowns and eclectic accessories.
- Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes, 4204 Magazine Street: Small but mighty, Miss Claudia’s is a goldmine filled with majorette boots, funky vintage costumes, dazzling accessories, and other Mardi Gras essentials.
- Uptown Costume & Dancewear, 4326 Magazine Street: This compact yet comprehensive store offers costumes, dancewear and accessories like wigs and hats.
Costuming Tips For the Serious Costumer Including Stores That Sell Supplies
