Experience Early Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Coming early means big savings. Hotels in New Orleans book up fast for the final weekend of Mardi Gras. By visiting for early season Mardi Gras parades, you'll enjoy more availability, better pricing, and the chance to stay in your preferred location — whether that’s the French Quarter, the Garden District, or just steps from the parade route.

Some of the best Mardi Gras parades take place well before Fat Tuesday. First up is a slew of parades on January 6 to celebrate the start of Carnival season, including Funky Uptown Krewe, Phunny Phorty Phellows, and Krewe of Joan of Arc. Then there’s the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, a walking parade perfect for science fiction fans and creative minds, on January 24. Or you could check out the adults-only Krewe du Vieux, a raunchy, satirical, and irreverent French Quarter favorite, on January 31. There’s the adorable miniature floats of ‘tit Rəx on February 1. Find the full parade schedule here, and plan to catch these can’t-miss, early-in-the-season parades.

The best part about coming for early Mardi Gras isn’t necessarily beating the crowds for parades--it’s beating the crowds for king cake. Year after year, it just gets more creative, with bakeries, restaurants, coffee shops, and even breweries throwing their hat in the king cake ring. Get a traditional cinnamon or mix it up with a savory banana-peanut-butter-bacon option. Visit the King Cake Hub for options galore. If you don’t quite know where to start, just check out our Ultimate Guide to King Cake here. 

Mardi Gras is about so much more than just catching beads from a float; it’s about the New Orleans community coming together during the best time of year. Consider attending a Mardi Gras ball that’s open to the public. It’s a great way to experience all the Mardi Gras magic, with food, live music, and entertainment included in your ticket. Check out Krewe of Freret’s Shorty Gras, the post-parade party on February 7. There are plenty of options to see a different side of Carnival by coming early.

To learn more about the history of Mardi Gras, take a step back in time at a museum. The Louisiana State Museums, particularly The Presbytère, is a great place to learn about Mardi Gras history. JAMNOLA is a fun museum for the whole family, with interactive exhibits centered on the joy, art, music, and culture of New Orleans. You can also learn more about second lines, social aid and pleasure clubs, and Black masking Indian culture at the Backstreet Cultural Museum.

Just outside of New Orleans proper, you’ll find Family Gras, a free, fun-filled event perfect for the whole fam in Metairie. From February 6-7, enjoy live music, an arts market, face painting, children's activities, and more. Past performers have included Cyndi Lauper, Rick Springfield, Fifth Harmony, Zac Brown Band, and The Beach Boys. Stay tuned for the 2026 lineup.

Hearing the marching bands before they come into your purview is undoubtedly one of the best parts of attending a Mardi Gras parade, but you can also hype yourself up for the season by attending a show. Check out the WWOZ live music calendar for the latest brass band or jazz musician playing around town. There’s something for everyone. 

Want to give back and get a behind the scenes look at the magic of Mardi Gras at the same time? The Arc of Greater New Orleans provides jobs for adults with intellectual disabilities, one of which is sorting and packaging donated Mardi Gras beads to resell to the public. Lend a hand and sign up to volunteer at the Mardi Gras Recycle Center here. It’s both a rewarding and educational experience, as you’ll come across beads and throws from every krewe in and around New Orleans. 

The Mardi Gras season officially kicks off on January 6! This day, also known as Epiphany or Twelfth Night. On this day, locals begin eating king cake (which is seen as bad luck outside of the season) and parades begin. The date on which Mardi Gras ends varies by year, but you can always count on the season starting on January 6.

Besides all the reasons listed above....you can save on accommodations by visiting early. There will be fewer crowds and more of a "locals" experience. Unique early parades showcase creativity, craftsmanship, and strong local character. You can enjoy Mardi Gras to the fullest even when visiting early.

We recommend a stay in the French Quarter, Bywater/Marigny, and Uptown/Garden District when visiting for early Mardi Gras. Many parades begin in the Marigny and travel through the French Quarter. Check the parade schedule here to plan around your favorite parades.

To dive into the culture and origins of Mardi Gras, check out:

• The Presbytère Museum (part of the Louisiana State Museum)

• Mardi Gras World – see real floats and the artists behind them

• Backstreet Cultural Museum – explore Mardi Gras Indian traditions and Black Carnival culture

• Local walking tours that focus on Carnival history, especially in the French Quarter

• ...and click here for our page on Mardi Gras history.