Mardi Gras 2027

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a season, not a single day. The official carnival season begins on January 6 (King’s Day) and builds across several weeks to the climax on Mardi Gras Day itself — Fat Tuesday, February 9 in 2027. The week leading into Fat Tuesday, starting the Thursday before, is when the largest parades roll and the city reaches its most intense pitch of activity.

The parades

Parades are run by social organisations called krewes, each with their own traditions, floats, and membership. The major krewes — Endymion, Bacchus, Orpheus, Zulu, and Rex — draw the biggest crowds and throw the most elaborate floats. Throws are the beads, cups, doubloons, and toys tossed from float riders to the crowd; catching a Zulu coconut is considered particularly prized. Parade routes are published in advance; lining up along St Charles Avenue or Canal Street gives reliable access to the main uptown and downtown parades.

The French Quarter on Fat Tuesday

Bourbon Street and the French Quarter fill to extraordinary capacity on Fat Tuesday. The scene is chaotic, loud, and packed from early morning through midnight. It is not for everyone, but it is genuinely unlike anything else in the US. The more family-friendly parades pass through the Marigny and uptown neighbourhoods rather than the French Quarter.

Practical tips

Book accommodation 6-12 months in advance. New Orleans hotels during Mardi Gras week charge peak rates, and availability disappears early. The nearest airport is Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY), served by direct flights from most major US cities.

Public transport (the St Charles streetcar) is the best way to follow the uptown parade routes. Many streets close to vehicles during parade days. Neutral ground — what New Orleans calls the median of divided streets — is the traditional parade-watching position.

Wear comfortable shoes, expect large crowds, and do not bring anything you would be upset to lose. Temperatures in early February in New Orleans are typically in the range of 7-15°C, with a real possibility of rain. Layers are sensible.

For a deeper introduction to the city, read our guide to New Orleans and browse our New Orleans tours page for guided options.