Like most people, I had preconceived ideas about Mardi Gras. But it wasn’t until my first time attending that I truly began to understand what makes this annual pre-Lenten celebration so special — and so multifaceted. I also soon realized that it’s possible to plan a Mardi Gras experience for just about any traveler.
“There are so many different aspects to the celebration, [and] it just depends on what you’re looking for,” said Arthur Hardy, founder of the Mardi Gras Guide, one of the go-to sources for anyone interested in the carnival season in New Orleans. “It’s one of the most diverse and inclusive celebrations on the planet, so there’s pretty much something for everyone.”
I also learned some insider tips for making the most of this massively popular carnival season. One of the most important lessons: plan ahead. It’s never too early to start reserving flights, hotels and activities.
It’s one of the most diverse and inclusive celebrations on the planet, so there’s pretty much something for everyone.
When Is the Next Mardi Gras?
The next Mardi Gras is scheduled for March 4, 2025, and many events take place in the weeks leading up to that date, starting in January. New Orleans & Company, the city’s tourism office, is one of the best resources for the latest news.
Mardi Gras, indeed, is big business. According to a recent study commissioned by New Orleans & Company with the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Advisory Council (MMGAC) and Toni Weiss, a professor at Tulane University, Mardi Gras’ impact on the New Orleans economy is nearly $900 million, which is more than a 300% surge since 2009.
There are many ways to plan a personalized Mardi Gras experience. Here are some basics.
“Krewes” are social organizations that host Mardi Gras-themed parades, balls and other events.
Credit: 2024 DepartureLevel.comUnderstanding the Mardi Gras Krewes
Mardi Gras season is jam packed with activities, thanks largely to the efforts of the “krewes,” which are social organizations that host parades, balls and other events. Among the most renowned are the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, the Mardi Gras Indians, the Krewe of Bacchus, Krewe of Rex and Krewe of Endymion, but there are lots of others, and each has its own distinct style and focus.
Travelers who are especially eager to join in the fun — and perhaps avoid the largest crowds — might want to consider booking a trip to New Orleans in January or February, when multiple parades and parties kick off the season, each organized by a different krewe — including the Funky Uptown Krewe, Phunny Phorty Phellows and Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc.
Sci-fi lovers, meanwhile, might want to time a visit to coincide with the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus parade, which brings all things outer space to the streets on Feb.1, 2025. Krewe du Vieux parade, which usually takes place in January, is widely considered the bawdiest and takes place on Feb. 15, 2025.
Travelers can join a krewe and ride in its parade, usually for a fee.
Credit: 2024 DepartureLevel.comHow to Join a Krewe for Mardi Gras
It’s one thing to observe a Mardi Gras parade. It’s another thing entirely to be a part of it. My husband and I were lucky enough to ride on a float during the Krewe of Orpheus parade, which this year featured some 42 floats and about 1,500 riders, according to the organization.
Joining a krewe and riding in its parade takes some planning, but it’s well worth the effort for those who crave an immersive Mardi Gras experience. Several krewes offer the option of paying a fee to join the krewe and ride aboard one its colorful floats; the cost varies (and advisors should take note that some krewes are restricted to a specific gender). In addition, riders generally must also pay for their own “throws” — the beads and other items that are thrown to people on the street.
Our experience riding with the Krewe of Orpheus was spectacular. We checked in at the staging area, inside the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, where we donned our costumes, enjoyed lunch and met our fellow riders. We spent several action-packed hours after that onboard a beautiful float (which, by the way, was equipped with bathrooms, as are many of the larger floats).
Gliding down avenues that are packed with revelers yelling “throw me something!” was unforgettable, and we learned some tricks of the trade, including pacing the rate at which we threw out beads and other things at the beginning (to avoid running low toward the end of the parade).
The parade ended back at the convention center, where a massive Krewe of Orpheus party featured live entertainment by Harry Connick Jr. (one of the krewe’s co-founders), Taylor Dayne and other performers. Every year the krewe names a different monarch (this year, it was Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka; 2025 monarchs have yet to be named).
Where to Watch and Celebrate Mardi Gras
Most people don’t ride on a Mardi Gras float, of course, and there are many places and dates for viewing the parades, thanks to the wide variety of parades that take place during the season. For a more relaxed, daytime viewing experience that’s good for families, consider the Krewe of Iris, which stages its parade along St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District during the day (the next date is March 1, 2025).
A number of grand Mardi Gras balls offer clients yet another way to join for joining the excitement. In addition to the Krewe of Orpheus’s celebration that we attended, other large parties are hosted by the Krewe of Endymion (on the Saturday night before Mardi Gras) and the Krewe of Bacchus (on Sunday night). Visitors can purchase tickets to events and should expect large-scale festivities worthy of the Mardi Gras tradition.
In New Orleans during Mardi Gras season, travelers can find parties for just about everyone. My husband and I, for example, enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Krewe of Armeinius ball, which is organized by one of the city’s LGBTQ+ krewes. With its drag queens and other performers, it was a decidedly photo-worthy event.
Where to Stay for Mardi Gras 2025
It’s no surprise that hotels fill up quickly during Mardi Gras season, so reserving early is key, and staying close to the parades and events — but far enough away that noise levels are low — is also a good idea. We spent our first two nights at the Virgin Hotels New Orleans, a hip-and happening property with an excellent restaurant, bar and rooftop pool/bar area. On the day we arrived, vendors in the lobby were selling Mardi Gras paraphernalia, and the hotel also featured a Mardi Gras cocktail menu and special events including a “headpiece class.”
For the final two nights, we stayed at the Ace Hotel New Orleans, a boutique property nearby that is also well placed for walking to Mardi Gras events; the hotel is slated to drop its Ace Hotel brand affiliation this summer, but a new name and brand had not been announced as of press time.
Wherever you stay in New Orleans during carnival season, it’s hard not to be enveloped in the celebratory vibe. After nearly a week’s worth of memorable experiences, I learned a lot about the fascinating traditions — including the fact that it’s impossible to see and do everything Mardi Gras related in just one visit. Perhaps that’s one reason why so many people go back, again and again. I know I’ll be doing the same.
