What Christmas is to the North Pole, Mardis Gras is to New Orleans.
This year's Big Easy fete takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 12. Yet as y'all know, the partying starts long before that. Visitors should call hotels (list to follow) now if you have not already done so because rooms go quickly!
Parades will begin Jan. 19th with the Krewe-de-View's in the Quarter at 6:30 p.m., but pause between the 28th and Feb. 5th to accommodate Feb. 3rd's other big event, Super Bowl XLVII. However, there will be parades in Metairie, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington & Chalmette during those times. New Orleans parade activity will resume as normal from Feb. 6th through 12th.
This year, consider going to one of the many Mardis Gras Balls. While many are affairs specifically for one of the Krewes -- such as where the Queen's and King's identities are revealed -- others are open to everyone. Still others, such as the aristocratic balls, are by invitation-only, but don't feel left out. Hitting a parade and then dancing the night away (when you can stand upright) is a time-tested, I'll-drink-to-that tradition here, either at a ball or on the streets. Who knows, but you might just find your âme soeur behind that mask.
Last year's King of Bacchus Will Ferrell delighted parade goers as he threw beads their way. Who knows who'll toss those purple, green and gold baubles upon you this year?
Laissez les bon temps rouler et avec beaucoup d'enthousiasme!
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Please click here for hotel listings.
For a Mardis Gras parade map, please click here.
For a schedule of the entire three and half weeks' worth of events, please click here.
For answers to your frequently asked Mardis Gras questions, please click here.
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