"Queen Jubilee" at 2701 St. Charles Avenue
Leading up to this year’s Mardi Gras festivities, New Orleans residents knew that there had to be some way to channel the city’s inner spirit of celebration, even without parades or parties or gatherings. In true fashion, local creatives have come together to present the first ever Krewe of House Floats, an initiative that sets out to drape the Crescent City in whimsy, joy, and celebration despite all odds. Collaborating with local artists and businesses, residents in neighborhoods throughout New Orleans (and beyond!) have decked out their homes for the season in the iconic style of Carnival floats. Inspired? Visit kreweofhousefloats.com for details on how to be a part of it, including guides to local vendors offering everything from beads to costumes to décor. You can also support local float artists thanks to the Krewe of Red Beans' initiative hireamardigrasartist.com by donating, and you may even get a chance to have your home professionally decorated. Regardless, be sure to visit the Krewe’s site on February 1, when they release their map of the city. Safe Mardi Gras doesn’t have to mean a stale Mardi Gras. We’ve still got art. We’ve still got music. We’ve still got king cake. And we’ve still got each other.
—Jordan LaHaye Fontenot, managing editor
Alexandra Kennon
"The Birds of Bulbancha" at 2656 LePage Street
"Tropical Greenhouse" at 4610 Magazine Street
Anna Fontaine Simpson
"Jurassic Park" at 5809 St. Charles Avenue
Alexandra Kennon
"Jurassic Park" at 5809 St. Charles Avenue
Alexandra Kennon
"The Night Tripper" at 1834 Toledano Street
Alexandra Kennon
"Ahoha House" at 522 Leontine Street
Alexandra Kennon
"Mardi Gras Mambo" at 5531 St. Charles Avenue
Alexandra Kennon
A Krewe of Krowns house float, on Camp Street behind Breaux Mart
Alexandra Kennon
"Acadiana Hayride" at 948 Euterpe Street
Alexandra Kennon
"Jeopardy" house float
Alexandra Kennon
"Maison du Monde" at 539 First Street
Alexandra Kennon
"Bubble House" at 942 Jefferson Avenue
Alexandra Kennon
"Mardi Gras Unleashed" at 1013 N. Carrollton
Alexandra Kennon
"Saint Dolly Parton" on St. Charles Avenue
Alexandra Kennon
Krewe of St. Anne streamers/flower house at 2314 Octavia Street
Alexandra Kennon
6016 St. Charles Avenue
Alexandra Kennon
"Shark Week" at 727 First Street
Alexandra Kennon
"Mardi Gras MASKquerade" at 6000 St. Charles Avenue
Alexandra Kennon
Corner of St. Charles Avenue and State Street
Alexandra Kennon
Krewe of Tucks house float at 2384 St. Thomas Street
Alexandra Kennon
"We are the Champions" at 1205 Elysian Fields Avenue
Alexandra Kennon
"Queen's Jubilee" at 2701 St. Charles Avenue