It’s time again for all the frolicking fun of the carnival festival season in New Orleans! Although Mardi Gras isn’t actually until Tuesday, February 17th, you can see parades starting as early as January 31st! The first New Orleans parade is the Krewe du Vieux at 6:30 in the French Quarter. You can see parades almost every day from Saturday, January 31 through the Big Day itself in NOLA and the surrounding areas. Make sure you come prepared to enjoy yourself and take in all the crazy sights and sounds of Mardi Gras in the Crescent City! 

opens in a new windowMardi Gras New Orleans provides all the parade routes, times and dates, as well as information about the Krewes. Take advantage of this wonderful FREE site to get all the insider scoop!

Two parades that we love are the Orpheus and Rex. Rex has held more parades than any other Krewe, having been formed in 1872. They originated the traditional Mardi Gras colors of Purple, Green and Gold and the collectible commemorative Dubloons. The Rex parade rolls mainly down St. Charles Avenue on February 17th at 10am with its theme “Wars That Shaped Early America.”  Orpheus follows a similar route on the 16th at 6pm. Orpheus is a more modern SuperKrewe, founded in 1993 by Harry Connick Jr. They are famous for their celebrity guest monarch. Monarch for 2015 is comedian and actor John C Reilly. Dierks Bentley, country superstar, will headline the big Orpheuscapade party, also held on the 16th. Attend both Rex and Orpheus, for a taste of the new and the old, as well as a chance to catch some amazing throws!

No matter which parades you attend, you are sure to find a good time in NOLA at Mardi Gras. To make the most of it, spend the nights with us at 1896 O’Malley House to be assured of a comfortable sleep and a great homemade breakfast to fuel you for the day’s (and night’s!) adventures!