NewOrleans.com's Guide to February in New Orleans
Mardi Gras, Black History Month, Lunar New Year, and the start of crawfish season
Why Visit New Orleans in February?
February is host to a number of events, celebrations, and holidays. Valentine's Day, Black History Month, and Vietnamese New Year are just a few of the things we celebrate this month. While February proves to be eventful city to city, New Orleans sets itself apart in a very special way: Mardi Gras Day! While the rest of the country is thawing out, we're reveling in the streets and celebrating.
(1) Krewe of Muses, (2) Krewe of Zulu, (3) Mardi Gras, (4) Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras 2027
Mardi Gras Day is February 9, 2027. However, the days leading up to the most special Tuesday of the year are filled with parades all across the city. Some of the best parades roll in February, from walking parades to superkrewes and everything in between. Find the Mardi Gras Parade Schedule here and our Mardi Gras 101 Guide here. Don't be afraid to dress up and do Mardi Gras like a local.
February Weather and What to Pack
Like most other things in New Orleans, February weather can be unpredictable. One minute you're working up a sweat trying to catch beads along the parade route and the next minute you'll be wishing you had opted for long sleeves, gloves, and a scarf. Luckily, you can still find mild-but-sunny days in February, meaning layers will be your best friend. Keep a light jacket that can easily be stowed away or tied around your waist in case the weather takes a turn. Load up on the sunscreen and bring a hat - that sun is no joke!
Best practice for Mardi Gras attire is to wear shoes that are comfortable and that you don’t mind getting a little dirty, especially in the official Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold. Check out our page on Mardi Gras costume ideas to find what works best for you and be sure to browse our list of costume shops and boutiques (particularly on Magazine Street) for all your Carnival gear needs.
Black History Month and Cultural Celebrations in New Orleans
From Black History Month to Vietnamese New Year, celebrate these holidays in NOLA.
Beyond the excitement of Mardi Gras and Carnival season, there's plenty more to see and do in the Crescent City. The annual Tet Fest at Mary Queen of Vietnam Church celebrates the Vietnamese (Lunar) New Year in New Orleans East. The fest features traditional Vietnamese food, performances, music and activities all centered around New Orleans’ vibrant Vietnamese community.
Though Black history is celebrated year-long, citywide events, performances, showcases, and community service efforts take place in celebration of Black History Month. Take part in the planned events or create your own with our New Orleans Black History Itinerary. Read our Self-Guided Black-Owned Food Tour to support local Black-owned restaurants. View our Black-owned Business Guide here.
Celebrating Valentine's Day in New Orleans
Celebrate with your loved one - or read our Heartbreaker's Guide to NOLA for more.
New Orleans is full of opportunities to sweep your special someone off their feet. Choose between romantic dining options, live music and performing arts, riverboat cruises, and much more. Check out our Valentine’s Day page or our romantic itinerary for inspiration and events centered around this celebration of love. Check here for the latest V-day happenings.
And if you rebuke the holiday... well, you're certainly not alone. Our Heartbreaker's Guide to NOLA focuses on self-love and enjoying the city solo. Check into a boutique hotel, treat yourself to a decadent dining experience, and enjoy your trip to New Orleans just the way you like it. Read our Heartbreaker's Guide to NOLA here for more.
(1) King Cake Mile High Pie - Jack Rose, (2) Crawfish - Bayou Beer Garden - Manny Randazzo's, (3) Oysters - Boil & Barrel, (4) Crawfish - Bayou Beer Garden, (5) Crawfish Boil
What Foods Should I Eat in February in New Orleans?
Your top two must-try cuisine options for February are king cake and crawfish. King cake (and king cake flavored items) are abundant throughout Carnival season, and whether you’re a king cake aficionado or haven’t tried a slice, our Guide to King Cake has everything you need to find the dessert of your dreams. Locals look forward to the spring for peak crawfish season, but the season gets started in mid-to-late February. Grab a pound or two at different eateries across the city. First timer? Don’t fret. Our Guide to Crawfish has everything you need including where to get it, how to peel it and even where you can host your own crawfish boil. And for the not-so-faint of heart, try the best of both worlds with Bywater Bakery's Crawfish King Cake!
Oysters are another great food for the month of February. Try 'em raw on the half shell, charred on the grill, fried in a po-boy, or as a dressing. Read our Guide to Oysters here for how to get a taste.
Additional February Resources
The Crescent City has you covered this Valentine’s Day. From restaurants to tours, bars and even activities, New Orleans has everything you need to plan the perfect romantic getaway. If you’re putting romance on the backburner and visiting strictly for the culture, we have that too! Celebrate the Vietnamese New Year with this roundup of our favorite Vietnamese restaurants or immerse yourself in Black heritage with this itinerary and our list of Black-owned businesses for Black History Month and beyond.
However you choose to celebrate, know that there is plenty to do, see, and experience in the Crescent City during the month of February. Check out our top things to do this February here for more.
When is Mardi Gras 2027?
Mardi Gras Day is Tuesday, February 9, 2027. Parades start rolling on weekends in late January, and in the final stretch before Fat Tuesday they roll almost every day. Carnival season ends at midnight, and Ash Wednesday follows on February 10. See the full Mardi Gras Parade Schedule for routes and times.
See Future Mardi Gras Dates
Is February a good time to visit New Orleans?
February is one of the most festive months to visit New Orleans. Carnival season is in full swing, king cake is everywhere, and the mild weather suits a day spent outdoors on a parade route. If you'd rather see the city at a slower pace, plan your trip for the days after Ash Wednesday, when the crowds thin out but the restaurants, music clubs, and early crawfish boils keep going.
What is the weather like in New Orleans in February?
February in New Orleans is usually mild. Normal highs are in the mid-60s and lows are in the upper 40s. Cold fronts can bring chilly nights, and warm spells can push afternoons into the 70s or higher. Pack layers, a light rain jacket, and sunscreen for long days outside.
What should I wear to Mardi Gras parades?
Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes that you don't mind getting dirty, and dress in layers you can take off as the day warms up. Purple, green, and gold are the official colors of Mardi Gras, and many locals wear full costumes, especially on Mardi Gras Day. Browse our Mardi Gras costume ideas and costume shops for inspiration.
What foods are in season in February in New Orleans?
King cake is the signature taste of February in New Orleans. Bakeries sell it from Twelfth Night on January 6 through Mardi Gras Day. Crawfish season is also getting underway, and oysters are at their best in the cooler months. Find your favorite slice with our Guide to King Cake.
What is Tet Fest in New Orleans?
Tet Fest is a free, three-day Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival held at Mary Queen of Vietnam Church in Village de L'Est, in New Orleans East. Expect dragon and lion dances, fireworks, live music, and food cooked by parish ministries from family recipes. The dates shift with the lunar calendar each year, so check the Tet Fest event listing before you go.
What is there to do in New Orleans after Mardi Gras?
February in New Orleans keeps going after Carnival ends. In 2027, Valentine's Day falls on Sunday, February 14, a few days after Mardi Gras, which makes it a good time for a romantic getaway. Black History Month events take place across the city all month, and crawfish season starts to pick up as the weather warms.
How can I celebrate Black History Month in New Orleans?
Published by NewOrleans.com, the official visitors' guide to New Orleans.
Happening in February