Our 2021 Guide to Louisiana Mardi Gras

You've heard it a million times. "Mardi Gras will look different this year." But different doesn't have to mean dull. Here we gather parade alternatives, recipes, king cake guides, and more to make this homebound Carnival a memorable one yet.

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They say that creativity blooms within constraints, which is the attitude we're taking this socially-distanced Mardi Gras. In the absence of parades and balls and the crowds of the pre-COVID yesteryear, the season prevails in the spirit of its people, concentrated all the more inside each of our homes. It's been a difficult year, full of restraint. And though we cannot throw all to the wind just yet, there is still room for self-indulgent celebration and escapism in our annual hoorah. Here we offer some guidance into crafting a safe Mardi Gras experience we'll remember for generations, and not just because of what it lacks. 

What to Wear

Take away the parades, and the details become all the more important. Here is our guide to ensuring you are dutifully donned this Mardi Gras season.

How to Make Your Own Courir Costume!

This Mardi Gras, take your identity into your own hands.

Your Mardi Gras Playlist 

"If you go to New Orleans, you ought to go see the Mardi Gras."

Where the Second Lines Still Live: Mardi Gras Art to Inspire

In limited time exhibitions and year-long galleries worth visiting (or viewing online), Carnival as we know it lives on. Maybe you'll even find the perfect piece to bring the festivities into your space. 

Terrance Osborne: New Orleans Culture, Concentrated

Gallery Gras at Gallery 600 Julia 

Spirits of the Season: Mardi Gras Cocktails

New Orleans Classic Cocktails

From bartender Matt Ray, at-home Hurricanes, Brandy Milk Punch, and Sazeracs

Beignet & Coffee Cocktail 

Can you think of a better way to wake up on a Fat Tuesday morning? 

Meleck Masquerade 

From Branch, Louisiana, the perfect cocktail for Yardi Gras

For the Table

From our archives, a selection of Louisiana's most celebratory cuisine perfect for day-long snacking or for the kind of Mardi Gras sit down dinner you've always dreamed of but couldn't pull off because of the typical chaos. 

Gumbo

Mulate's Zydeco Gumbo

Poppy Tooker's Seafood Gumbo

Mr. B's Gumbo Ya-Ya

Restaurant R'evolution's Death by Gumbo

Spuddy's Andouille, Sausage, and Chicken Gumbo

Frank Brigsten's Filé Gumbo with Chicken & Andouille 

Ryan Trahan's Chargrilled Oysters 

Rappie Pie

Jimbo's Jambo

Mardi Gras Mac n Cheese 

GW Fins' Signature Biscuits

Alligator Étoufée 

Crispy Fried Oysters with MoPho Mayo

Joey's Mama's Shrimp Grits and Catfish

Two Words: King Cake 

Kings of Cake

Five Flavors to stoke your pre-Lenten indulgences

Let Us Eat Cake

In 2021, a mission to try all of the best Louisiana king cakes 

RECIPE: La Galette des Rois

A golden, flaky traditional French version of the King Cake

RECIPE: Joy the Baker's Pull Apart King Cake 

Cinnamon, sugary, sinful delights 

RECIPE: How to Make a Dong Phuong Style King Cake 

Murmurs of Ricotta shares her easy, step-by-step recipe for brioche & butter cream King Cake, inspired by Dong Phuong Bakery's famous (sold out!) version.

Ways to Laissez les Bons Temps Roulez This Year

Across the state, krewes, communities, and organizations are working together to host alternative, safe Mardi Gras events. Here are some of our favorites! 

New Orleans' Krewe of House Floats

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.

Mid City Gras Reverse Parade

Known for its finesse in expressing the vibrant spirit of Mid City Baton Rouge, Mid City Gras introduces its 2021 MASKarade Reverse Parade.

Krewe de Canailles

Rather than its traditional walking parade, KDC is hosting a drive by event (think of it look looking at Christmas lights, Mardi Gras style!) featuring homes and businesses decorated in the spirit of the season, all under the 2021 theme "Oh the Places We Didn't Go!".

Muses Stilloto

It's not quite the same as fighting through parade crowds for a sequin-bedecked high heel, but the Krewe of Muses is offering a fun chance to support local shops for the chance of obtaining one of the most coveted shoes in NOLA. 

Le Vieux Mardi Gras de Cajuns de Eunice

While this tradition typically expands into a five day celebration of street dances, cooking demos, a boucherie, and a parade through downtown—safety precautions this year mean the tradition is stripping itself down to the heart of the matter: the courir!

Throw Me Something Bacchus App

In place of its annual showstopping parade, the Krewe of Bacchus has released a safe and virtual way to live out your carnival dreams through its new app, Throw Me Something Bacchus.

Puppy Parades

Perhaps some of the most innovative and determined parade organizers of the year are those from the region's puppy parades! Rather than cancel, each of these found its own way to celebrate our quarantine buddies after this year at home. 

Krewe du Pooch

Mystick Krewe of Barkus 

Mystic Krewe of Mutts

For the Kiddos

Don't let the kids forget that they live in the best place on Earth this Carnival season. Here are a few ways to engage them with their culture in a safe and socially distanced way. 

Mardi Gras Mask Making 

Petite Mardi Gras at the Mansion

Virtual Celebrations 

A year in, the art of virtual event-making has officially been mastered, especially by the best of party planners—our Mardi Gras masters. Here are events that bring the festivities to your screens this year. 

Mardi Gras for All Y'all 

Mardi Gras Maskerade at the Royal Sonesta

"We're Going Down to the Mardi Gras" Documentary

Your Mardi Gras Reading List: 

Here is some of our favorite Mardi Gras coverage throughout the years. Courirs and street dancing and big celebratory hugs may have to wait until next year, but there's some room for reliving them in our pages for now. 

Laissez les Bons Temps . . . Pause? 

From our February 2021 issue, a look at New Orleans' history of canceled Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, On Foot

Inside five of the most whimsical walking parades of the season. 

The Mamou Insider

The ins-and-outs of Mamou Mardi Gras from the perspective of a native

Chasse-Femme

For this woman-led Courir de Mardi Gras, Prairie des Femmes erupts in a chicken chase

Voyage ton Flag

In the country Mardi Gras of Louisiana's southwestern prairies, the capitaine keeps the melee in check. 

The Mardi Gras Museum

How Lake Charles preserves its pageantry year-round 

Masked Merriment

 Jackie Miller makes Tee Mamou-regulation courir costumes for dozens of revelers every year 

Building Mardi Gras

An inside look at a prop-shop manager's day

Perspectives: Herb Roe

An artist who captures a Cajun tradition through classical realism 

In the Pink

Origins of the Spanish Town Parade

Have we missed something? An event, recipe, or story? Let us know at editorial@countryroadsmag.com and we'd be happy to consider adding on to our list!