It’s Carnival Time! In just a few short weeks, your grills will be fired up, Mardi Gras ladders will be dusted off, and you’ll be dancing in the streets to some of your favorite high school marching bands. We’ve got the ultimate guide to Mardi Gras this year, complete with start times and routes for all your favorite parades. Be sure to bookmark this page so you can easily find it later.
1. Krewe of Chewbacchus: February 9, 7 p.m.
This Sci-Fi themed parade features 900 members, consisting of more than 150 sub-krewes, each with their own portrayal of everything from Science Fiction to Horror. This green parade consists of approximately 100 "floats" which are either pulled, pushed, or pedaled. None of these makeshift floats use engines to power their route and it’s truly amazing to see the clever inventions these crews create.
2. Krewe Boheme: February 15, 7 p.m.
New Orleans’ newest parade will make its debut February 15 at 7 p.m. The foot parade will head through the Marigny and French Quarter before ending right at Louis Armstrong Park.
3. Krewe du Vieux: February 16, 6:30 p.m.
Beginning at the corner of Decatur and Marigny Streets and ending in the French Quarter. Each of the 17 sub-krewes will each present their own interpretation of the theme, which is "City of Yes Yes" this year.
4. Krewe of Little Rascals: February 17, 12 p.m.
Founded in 1983, the Krewe of Little Rascals is the longest running Children’s Mardi Gras Krewe in Carnival history, and it’s always a good time. There are more than 200 members, ranging in age from 2-18 and it’s one of the best family-friendly parades of the season.
5. Krewe of Cork: February 22, 3 p.m.
The Krewe of Cork has been running since 2000, only getting better every year. Celebrating all things food, wine, and fun, you can bet this will be a parade to remember.
6. Krewe of Cleopatra: February 22, 6:30 p.m.
When the Krewe of Cleopatra was founded in 1972, they were the first all-female Krewe on the West Bank. Consisting of 1,000 members, their motto is "Her beauty is timeless, her age is now… forever!" And their theme this year is "Cleopatra’s Animated Adventures."
7. Krewe of Pontchartrain: February 23, 1 p.m.
For an epic day of parades, head out to watch the Krewe of Pontchartrain at 1 p.m. roll through Uptown. The Krewe of Choctaw will follow Pontchartrain, and then the Krewe of Freret will follow Choctaw.
8. Knight of Sparta: February 23, 5:30 p.m.
Later that evening, the Knights of Sparta will roll through Uptown with a theme of "Beyond the Sea."
9. Krewe of Barkus: February 24, 2 p.m.
All parades are unique, but Barkus might just be the most unique of them all. Created in 1992, this parade lets your four-legged friend get in on the Carnival fun and parade through the streets of the French Quarter.
10. Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale: February 24, 11 a.m.
Another epic uptown parade day kicks off with the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale rolling at 11 a.m. Krewe of Carrollton will follow, and the Krewe of King Arthur, followed by Krewe of Alla.
11. Knights of Babylon: February 28, 5:30 p.m.
Found in 1939, the Knights of Babylon is always a fun time. The theme of each year’s parade is kept a secret until the day of the parade, but you can bet it will be festive, fun, and fabulous.
12. Knights of Chaos: February 28, 6:15 p.m.
Shortly after the Knights of Babylon, Knights of Chaos takes to the streets. While they also never reveal the king’s identity nor the parade theme ahead of time, Knights of Chaos is always a good time.
13. Krewe of Muses: February 28, 6:30 p.m.
If you’ve got friends in Muses, then you’ve probably been invited to a painting party. Known for their elaborately decorated shoes and satirical floats, this all-female parade is one you’re sure to remember.
14. Krewe of Hermes: March 1, 6 p.m.
The first parade to use neon lights for their floats in 1938, the Krewe of Hermes insists of nearly 700 male rides who parade through Uptown, kicking off the biggest weekend in Carnival Season.
15. Krewe of Morpheus: March 1, 7 p.m.
Comprised of more than 500 male and female riders, Morpheus is known for their generous throws, and you can expect to catch LED beads, 3D cups, stuffed animals, and more. This year look out for their signature throw, hand-decorated sleep masks.
16. Krewe of Isis: March 2, 6:30 p.m.
Metairie’s oldest all-female Krewe takes to the streets on March 2, and you’re going to love it. This family-friendly parade features 200 riders on more than 18 floats in their traditional Egyptian theme.
17. Krewe of Iris: March 2, 10 a.m.
Founded in 1917 (and parading since 1959), the Krewe of Iris is the oldest and the largest all-female Carnival Krewe in New Orleans. All of their 34 floats are tandem or triple tandem and you should keep your eyes peeled for their signature throws including hand-decorated sunglasses and king cake babies.
18. Krewe of Tucks: March 2, 11 a.m.
What began in 1969 with a group of Loyola University students has grown into one of the most fun, light-hearted parades of Carnival Season. Known for their sense of humor and their famous King’s Throne (a giant toilet), this is a fun day parade the whole family will enjoy.
19. Krewe of Endymion: March 2, 4:15 p.m.
Founded in 1967, this elaborate parade join’s the ranks of the elite "Super-Krewes" and you’re not going to want to miss it. Easily one of the most popular parades, this epic parade features more than 3,000 riders on 37 floats. Their motto is "throw till it hurts," and its estimated that they throw more than 15 million throws along the route.
20. Krewe of Mid-City: March 3, 11:45 a.m.
Nicknamed "the best day parade in Mardi Gras," the Krewe of Mid-City was founded in 1933 and is the 5th oldest continuously parading organization in New Orleans. It’s the only parade that decorated its floats entirely with colored aluminum foil, continuing a tradition since 1933.
21. Krewe of Thoth: March 3, 12 p.m.
Founded in 1947, Thoth’s original parade route was specifically designed so that people who would normally be unable to attend the parade could see it. The route passed in front of 14 institutions in the city that cared for people with illnesses and disabilities. While the route has changed over the years, their mission has not and they continue to roll past several healthcare facilities, throwing their signature 3-D metallic necklaces, specialized doubloons, and giant stuffed polar bears.
22. Krewe of Bacchus: March 3, 5:15 p.m.
With more than 1,600 members and 31 animated super-floats, the Krewe of Bacchus draws massive crowds every year. This Super-Krewe is a must-see parade, with iconic floats like the Bacchagator, Bacchasaurus, and everyone’s favorite — the Kong Family.
23. Krewe of Proteus: March 4, 5:15 p.m.
Krewe of Proteus kicks off Lundi Gras at 5:15 p.m. for an epic parade you’re going to love. Founded in 1882, the Krewe of Proteus is the second-oldest Krewe in Carnival history.
24. Krewe of Orpheus: March 4, 6 p.m.
Founded by Harry Connick Jr. and Sr. in 1993, Orpheus is another Super-Krewe that simply must be seen to be believed. They have several iconic floats including the Smoking Mary, a six-unit float built to look like a locomotive.
25. Krewe of Zulu: March 5, 8 a.m.
Mardi Gras Day starts with Zulu, and it’s a parade you’re going to want to wake up early for. Their prized throw, the Zulu coconut is one of the holy grail throws of Mardi Gras, and people save them for years.
26. Krewe of Rex: March 5, 10 a.m.
The King of Carnival rolls on Mardi Gras Day, and if you still have the energy, it’s a great parade to come out for. While not a Super-Krewe like Endymion, Bacchus, or Orpheus, Rex does have the unique tradition of getting a symbolic key to the City from the Mayor for Mardi Gras Day. After Rex, the Krewe of Elks follows Rex, the oldest and largest of the truck parades with 50 floats and 4,000 members. After Elks, you can catch the Krewe of Crescent City for one final hurrah before the season comes to an end.
And there you have it! What are your must-see parades? Let us know in the comments below!
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