Big Easy Mardi Gras

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David Thibodeaux

Alas, it is finally here after a too-long hiatus. La saison du Carnaval! Whether you are a local New Orleanian or a first-time visitor, the experience can be simultaneously mystifying and disorienting, particularly with us all out of parading practice following our break in 2021. This year, enjoy safely by masking up—'tis the season for new identities, after all. 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. 

Now, allons! 

Saturday, February 5

Krewe of Chewbacchus: An Intergalactic krewe comprised of six hundred self-professed sci-fi geeks pursuing the mission of “saving the galaxy one drunken nerd at a time.” Members will be pushing, pedaling, and pulling homemade contraptions; and the pièce de résistance will be an eleven-foot tall golden effigy of Chewbacchus himself. 7 pm. chewbacchus.org.

Friday, February 11

Krewe Bohème: New Orleans' newest bohemian krewe, presided over by the intoxicating Green Absinthe Fairy, brings parade-goers a visual and auditory feast of mystery, artistry, and fun, along with handmade throws. 7 pm. kreweboheme.com.

Saturday, February 12

Krewe du Vieux: Held in the French Quarter, this is only Mardi Gras parade featuring mule-drawn floats with satirical themes, all accompanied by the sounds of New Orleans jazz. 6:30 pm. kreweduvieux.org.

krewedelusion: One of the weirdest parades of the season, krewedelusion is on a mission to save the Universe, starting at its center—New Orleans' French Quarter. Follows Krewe du Vieux. krewedelusion.org.

Sunday, February 13

‘tit Rəx: Miniature size, maximum fun, this walking parade with the petit, handmade floats marches down thirteen blocks of median in St. Roch. 4:30 pm. titrexparade.com.

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Phillip Colwart

Friday, February 18

Krewe of Cork: Did you know that New Orleans has its own wine krewe? They'll be sippin' and steppin' through the French Quarter two weekends before Fat Tuesday. 3 pm. kreweofcork.com.

Krewe of Oshun: Marching baby dolls, a band contest, peacocks, and the goddess of love, all the way down St. Charles. 6 pm. mardigrasneworleans.com.

Krewe of Cleopatra: The first all-female organization on the Uptown route. 6:30 pm. kreweofcleopatra.org

Krewe of ALLA: Though this krewe was all-male for eighty two years, the group is now welcoming women aboard its storied floats. Follows Cleopatra.. kreweofalla.net.

Saturday, February 19

Magical Krewe of Mad Hatters: This recently-founded Metairie Krewe aimed at capturing the imagination brings Alice in Wonderland to life with colorful lights, costumes, and dance troops. 5 pm. madhattersparade.com.

Krewe of Centurions: A family-friendly parade, comprised of over 350 men. 6:30 pm. kreweofcenturions.com.

Knights of Nemesis: Don't miss St. Bernard Parish's only active Mardi Gras parade, established in 2004 by longtime carnival parade riders. 1 pm. knightsofnemesis.org.

Krewe of Pontchartrain: Famous for its history of celebrity Grand Marshals, including Bart Simpson, Jim Henderson, and Becky Allen, this parade is one of New Orleans' longest-standing. 1 pm down St. Charles. kofp.com.

Krewe of Choctaw: Starting their eighty-year history on mail wagons as floats, this family-friendly krewe will march down St. Charles following Pontchartrain. kreweofchoctaw.com.

Krewe of Freret: This krewe has an especial focus for preserving New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition, and will march down St. Charles after the Krewe of Choctaw. kreweoffreret.com.

Knights of Sparta: This all-male krewe has been around since the fifties. 5:30 pm down St. Charles. knightsofsparta.com.

Krewe of Pygmalion: This colorful parade founded by Carnival veterans in 1999 rolls down the St. Charles route after Sparta. kreweofpygmalion.org.

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Mason Wood

Sunday, February 20

Mystic Krewe of Barkus: This one has gone to the dogs. Down in the French Quarter, starting at 2 pm. barkus.org.

Krewe of Atlas: A Metairie Krewe founded on the principle of equality for all. 4 pm. mardigrasneworleans.com/parades/krewe-of-atlas.

The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale: The first krewe founded by African American women for African American women, their signature throw is a designer lady's compact, symbolizing constant inward and outward reflection. 11 am. mkfemmefatale.org.

Krewe of Carrollton: The fourth-oldest parading krewe of the New Orleans Carnival season. Watch out! They are known for throwing shrimp boots. Follows Femme Fatale. kreweofcarrollton.org.

Krewe of King Arthur and Merlin: One of the largest New Orleans' krewes. Their signature throw is the King Arthur Grail, hand-made goblets that are only bestowed upon the most esteemed parade-goers. Follows Carrollton. kreweofkingarthur.com.

Wednesday, February 23

Krewe of Druids: This secret society is known for its wit and tendency to ruffle feathers. One year it featured a float saying: "Seriously...The Parade Behind us is not Worth the Wait." 6:15 pm. mardigrasneworleans.com.

Krewe of Nyx: One of the city's largest all-women's Mardi Gras krewes, famous for throwing hand-decorated purses. 6:45 pm. kreweofnyx.org.

Copper Vine's Mardi Gras Wine Dinner: For the second year, Copper Vine in the Central Business District is hosting a dinner for Carnival featuring the wines of Copain Winery paired with a decadent and playful five-course dining experience from Chef Amy Mehrtens, and live music from Naughty Professor saxophonist Nick Ellman with Sam Kuslan on keys. Doors and welcome cocktail at 6 pm, dinner and remarks at 6:30 pm. $150. coppervine.com. 

Thursday, February 24

Knights of Babylon: Traditional to the max, this krewe designs their floats exactly as they were drawn up over seventy years ago. The king's identity is never revealed to the public. 5:30 pm. knightsofbabylon.org.

Knights of Chaos: Parading on the traditional "Momus Thursday," Chaos picks up where Momus left off—in the grand tradition of satire. Follows Babylon. mardigrasneworleans.com.

Krewe of Muses: Let's get some shoes—one of the most coveted throws of the season comes from this incredibly popular all-female parade. Follows Chaos. kreweofmuses.org.

Friday, February 25

Krewe of Bosom Buddies: This walking parade celebrates women of all walks of life, and throws out hand-decorated bras along the way. 11:30 am. bosombuddiesnola.org.

Krewe of Hermes: Every year, the Hermes' captain leads the procession in full regalia on a white horse, followed by innovative neon floats and 700 male riders. 5:30 pm. kreweofhermes.com.

Krewe d'Etat: Led by a dictator instead of a king, this secret society gets a kick out of throwing blinking skulls at its audience. Pick up a copy of the D'Etat Gazette, a bulletin with pictures and descriptions of the floats. 6:30 pm. mardigrasneworleans.com.

Krewe of Morpheus: Looking through the chaos and tomfoolery for an "old school" parade experience? This one's for you. 7 pm. kreweofmorpheus.com.

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Saturday, February 26

Krewe of Endymion: One of New Orleans' "Super-Krewes," be sure to get out to your viewing spot early. The Krewe hosts Samedi Gras, a block party that draws 30,000+ people to kick off the parade. Previous grand marshals include Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Steven Tyler, Pitbull, Kiss, and Flo-Rida. 4:15 pm. endymion.org.

Krewe of Iris: One of the oldest and largest female Carnival organizations for women, Iris members continue to follow tradition with white gloves and masks. Its 3,400 members pass through the streets throw decorated sunglasses and king cake babies, as well as a bunch of Iris-themed items. 11 am. kreweofiris.org.

Krewe of Tucks: This one got its start at a pub, and has developed a fond reputation as New Orleans' "rag-tag" with an "Animal House" reputation. Watch out for the King's throne (a giant toilet). Noon. kreweoftucks.com.

Krewe of Isis: The oldest and largest all-female Mardi Gras organization in Jefferson Parish and the oldest consecutively parading Carnival organization in the same parish. The Metairie Egyptian-themed krewe features marching bands, dance teams, and spectacularly attired maids. Starts in Kenner at 6 pm. kreweofisis.org.

Krewe of NOMTOC: The Krewe of New Orleans Most Talked of Club was founded in 1969 by the Jugs Social Club. The all black krewe tosses out ceramic medallion beads, jug banks, and signature Jug Man dolls. Starts in the Westbank at 10:45 am. nomtoc.com.

Sunday, February 27 (Bacchus Sunday) 

Krewe of Bacchus: Revered as one of the most spectacular krewes in Carnival history, this parade is known for staging celebrities Bob Hope, Dick Clark, WIll Ferrell, and Drew Brees as its namesake, Bacchus. The parade ends inside the Convention Center for a black-tie Rendezvous party of over 9,000 guests. 5 pm. kreweofbacchus.org.

Krewe of Mid-City: Called "The Best Day Parade in Mardi Gras," this one is famed for having themes dedicated to children and some of the best bands from all over the country. 11:45 am. kreweofmid-city.com.

Krewe of Okeanos: Celebrating their 70th ride this year, Okeanos started as a small neighborhood parade, and evolved into the over 250-rider krewe it is today, traveling on the traditional Uptown/Downtown route. 11 am. kreweofokeanos.org.

Krewe of Thoth: This parade's route is uniquely designed to reach extended healthcare facilities so that individuals unable to attend other parades can participate in the holiday as well. Noon. thothkrewe.com.

Krewe of Athena: Jefferson Parish's newest all-female krewe, founded on Sisterhood, Service, Fellowship, and Fun. Their signature throws are hand-decorated fedoras. 5:30 pm. kreweofathena.org.

Monday, February 28 (Lundi Gras)

Krewe of Proteus: Founded in 1882, this parade is the second-oldest krewe in Carnival history, and still uses the original chassis for their floats. Once known as the most miserly throw-ers, they now joust 60-inch red-and-white pearl bead necklaces, plastic tridents, and polystone medallions. 5:15 pm. kreweofproteus.com.

Krewe of Orpheus: This parade was established as a superkrewe immediately after its debut in 1994, which rolled out 700 riders. One of their most famous floats is the Dolly Trolley, the horse-drawn bus used in the opening of Hello Dolly with Barbara Streisand. 6 pm. kreweoforpheus.com

Tuesday, March 1 (Mardi Gras)

Krewe of Zulu: A parading krewe since 1909, Zulu was the first and for many years the only krewe representing New Orleans’ black community. Its extraordinary costumes, float designs, and history distinguish it from all other Mardi Gras parades. 8 am. kreweofzulu.com.

Krewe of Rex: Elaborately decorated, hand-painted floats, masked riders in historic costumes, and a rich and colorful history make Rex one of the cultural centerpieces of Mardi Gras. Rex was formed in 1872, making it the oldest continually operating krewe. The identities of Rex’s king and queen remains secret until Lundi Gras. To capture one of the specially struck Rex doubloons during the parade is a singular honor. 10 am. rexorganization.com.

ELKS, Krewe of Orleanians: The world's largest truck parade features over fifty individually designed truck floats comprises of over 4,600 riders. Follows Rex. neworleans.com.

Krewe of Crescent City: Each truck in the Crescent City Truck Parade represents a different Carnival organization. This parade signals the official "beginning of the end" of Carnival. Follows ELKS Orleanians. crescentcitytruckparade.com.

Krewe of Argus: One of Jefferson Parish's largest parades, and most family friendly, Argus draws over a million revelers to the Veterans Memorial Parade Route in Metairie. Past celebrity guests include Barbara Eden, Phyllis Diller, and Shirley Jones. 10 am. kreweofargus.com.

ELKS, Krewe of Jeffersonians: Featuring more than 90 trucks and 4,000 riders, this krewe shares the Elk mascot with its sister krewe, the Krewe of Elks-Orleanians. Follows Argus. neworleans.com.

Krewe of Jefferson: Featuring 75 trucks and unique throws, the Krewe of Jefferson follows the Elks Krewe of Jeffersonians to signal the "beginning of the end" of Carnival in Jefferson Parish. Follows ELKS Jeffersonians. kreweofjefferson.com.