← All festivals
Culture

Mardi Gras

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ New Orleans, USA

About Mardi Gras

Beads, brass bands and float parades before Lent.

New Orleans Mardi Gras is America's greatest street party, the culmination of a weeks-long Carnival season of parades, marching bands and masked 'krewes' throwing beads and trinkets to the crowds. The city's French, Spanish, African and Caribbean roots give it a flavour found nowhere else, with brass bands, second-lines and endless food. Fat Tuesday itself is the riotous finale before Lent. Learn the neighbourhood parade routes, catch a family-friendly day parade as well as the French Quarter chaos, and eat everything.

WhenFebruary / early March
Duration~2 weeks
LocationNew Orleans, USA
CategoryCulture
4.5
Editor’s rating
Editor’s verdict

“America's greatest street party, with a flavour found nowhere else. Eat everything.”

— The Editor, Find a Festival

Plan your trip

Some of these are partner links — if you book through them you help keep Find a Festival free, at no extra cost to you. Sponsored partners are clearly labelled.
Are you a hotel, tour or venue near New Orleans? Get featured here →

Traveller reviews

Write a review
⭐ No traveller reviews yet — be the first, and earn your reviewer badge.

Share your experience

★★★★★
Are you the organiser? Claim this listing →Suggest an edit / flag an issue →

Become a Find a Festival reviewer

Share the festivals you have been to and earn your place in the community. Every review earns points and badges — and helps travellers around the world.

New Reviewer→Festival Regular→Local Expert→Top Reviewer
  • 🏅 Points & badges for every review
  • 👤 A public reviewer profile with your review history
  • 👍 See how many travellers found you helpful
  • 🌍 Become a trusted voice for the festivals you love