Across our culturally rich region, the incomparable spectacle that is Mardi Gras in Louisiana has begun to unfold—bringing mischief, excess, and memory with it. The traditions that come along with this pre-Lenten feast are diverse, but all carry with them a universal spirit of play. We've scoured near and far to try and bring you as comprehensive a calendar of parades, courirs, and festivals as we can—but if we've missed something that you think belongs in this roundup, do let us know at editorial@countryroadsmag.com.
New Orleans Mardi Gras
Alas, it's finally here: La saison du Carnival! Whether you are a local New Orleanian or a first-time visitor, the experience can be simultaneously mystifying and disorienting. When planning your escapades, please remember to verify routes and schedules at individual parade sites and Facebook pages, or at mardigrasneworleans.com, just in case any changes have been made.
Rebecca Todd, courtesy of New Orleans & Company
Krewe of Muses
Mardi Gras on the Northshore
From raucous revelry, to family-friendly fun, to pooch parades, the folks of the Northshore in Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, and beyond have plenty of festivities to celebrate Carnival without ever having to cross the Causeway. When making your Mardi party plans, please remember to verify routes and schedules at individual parade sites and Facebook pages, or at visitthenorthshore.com, just in case any changes have been made.
Courtesy of Visit the Northshore
Mardi Gras on the Northshore
Acadiana Mardi Gras
In the space between the extravagant flamboyance of New Orleans Carnival and the irreverent cacophony of the prairie courirs—Louisiana Mardi Gras wears many, incredibly diverse, masks. The Acadiana region boasts too many celebrations to count, each with their own distinct brand of revelry. And though we scoured far and low to provide you with the most comprehensive calendar possible—we're sure to have missed a fantastic feast or two. Refer to individual event sites for more information, and check your parish tourism sites or lafayettetravel.com for the most up to date information regarding this year's festivities.
Courtesy of Lafayette Travel
Acadiana Mardi Gras
Baton Rouge Mardi Gras
Capital Carnival Chicanery abounds this Mardi Gras Season, and—using our Baton Rouge Parade Calendar—you won't miss a single carousing opportunity. Visit individual parade websites for the most updated details on upcoming events.
Raegan Labat, courtesy of Visit Baton Roug
Spanish Town Parade, Baton Rouge
Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras
If you're going to be in Lake Charles or anywhere in Southwest Louisiana this Mardi Gras, there's plenty of fun to be had. The area presents a packed Carnival calendar, including but by no means limited to these highlights. Keep abreast of these events even more Mardi Gras festivities all around Southwest Louisiana at swlamardigras.com.
Kathryn Shea Duncan, courtesy of Visit Lake Charles.
At the Iowa Chicken Run, 2022.
Central Louisiana Mardi Gras
Catch beads and sights from lights to classic cars at Alexandria's unique lineup of parades, ensuring the whole state is swathed with purple, green, and gold by Fat Tuesday morning. alexmardigras.net and mardigrascenla.com.
Courtesy of Explore Alexandria-Pineville
Mardi Gras in Alexandria-Pineville
North Louisiana Mardi Gras
Oh, were you one of those misinformed misanthropes who believed Mardi Gras only existed in South Louisiana? Well let your mind (and your world!) be opened! This state's got fêtitude from border to gulf-hewn border. Look up, folks!
Courtesy of Monroe-West Monroe
Krewe of Janus
Natchez & Vicksburg Mardi Gras
The Mardi Gras spirit is so strong in Louisiana, it leaks over across the border. Find celebrations swathed in purple, green, and gold in Natchez and Vicksburg, with complete lists at vicksburgconventioncenter.com and visitnatchez.org
