Mardi Gras in New Orleans 2026: Traditions, Parade Routes, Best Parades (Zulu + Endymion) + Trip Planning Guide

(A Local’s Guide from Chuupul Leather — New Orleans Travel Accessories Brand)

New Orleans doesn’t do Mardi Gras like everyone else.
This isn’t a one-day event. It’s not just a weekend. It’s not a party you “attend.”

Mardi Gras is a full-season cultural experience — built on traditions, parade routes, neighborhood energy, family rituals, and the kind of excitement that takes over the entire city.

From the floats and marching bands to the beads and costumes, Mardi Gras is the heartbeat of New Orleans — and if you’re planning your trip for Mardi Gras 2026, this guide is for you.

In this blog, we’re covering:

  • Mardi Gras traditions (what to expect and what locals do)

  • Parade routes (Uptown vs Mid-City)

  • How to plan your trip and which dates matter

  • A full Mardi Gras 2026 parade schedule

  • My personal favorite parades: Zulu and Endymion

  • What to pack + what to wear (yes, it matters) 

What Is Mardi Gras in New Orleans?

Mardi Gras translates to “Fat Tuesday”, the final celebration before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. But in New Orleans, Mardi Gras is bigger than one day — it’s Carnival season.

Carnival season officially begins on January 6 (Twelfth Night) and builds through weeks of parades leading up to Mardi Gras Day.

🎭 Mardi Gras Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

And during this season, New Orleans transforms into its truest self:

  • music everywhere

  • parades rolling through major neighborhoods

  • people in costumes like it’s normal (because here, it is)

  • strangers becoming family for a day on the route 

Mardi Gras Traditions: What to Expect (and Why It’s So Special)

Mardi Gras isn’t just beads and Bourbon Street. Mardi Gras is about:
music, parades, picnics, floats, costumes, and excitement.

It’s one big holiday in New Orleans — and locals treat it exactly like that.

Mardi Gras Colors + Costume Culture

Revelers know the real vibe:

  • wear costumes — or at least Mardi Gras colors: purple, green, and gold

  • people often adorn themselves with long beads caught from previous parades

  • you’ll see everything from elegant masked looks to wild costumes that make you laugh so hard you forget you’re in public

It’s joyful. It’s expressive. It’s culture in motion.

Parade Route Life

Parade-goers don’t “just watch.”

They set up like it’s a holiday:

  • families everywhere (yes, kids are all over Mardi Gras!)

  • people sitting on the ground between parades

  • throwing footballs

  • playing music

  • eating amazing food

  • watching crowds walk by

It’s communal.

And on Mardi Gras Day, the celebration is so major that most non-essential businesses shut down, because the city itself is the event. 

New Orleans Mardi Gras Parade Routes: Uptown vs Mid-City

If you’re planning a trip, understanding parade routes is everything.

Uptown Parade Route (Classic Mardi Gras)

Uptown parades traditionally roll down St. Charles Avenue, often continuing toward Canal Street.

This area is known for:

  • family-friendly crowds

  • ladder culture

  • neighborhood traditions

  • great daytime parade energy

Mid-City Parade Route (Endymion Energy)

Mid-City routes bring a different vibe: bigger spectacle, wide streets, large crowds, and serious float power.

This is where you catch Endymion, one of the most famous superkrewes of Mardi Gras season.

Plan Your Trip to Mardi Gras 2026 (New Orleans Travel Guide)

If you’re visiting, here’s the truth:

Mardi Gras is more than just a day, or one week, or even a weekend.

Carnival begins January 6, and the parades roll through January and February until the grand finale on Mardi Gras Day.

Pro Tip: Mardi Gras 2026 + Presidents’ Day Weekend

Mardi Gras 2026 coincides with Presidents’ Day Weekend, making it one of the best years to visit.

If you have a long weekend available…
spend it at Mardi Gras. 

 

Upcoming Mardi Gras Parades 2026 (Full Parade Schedule)

Below is a key parade lineup leading into Mardi Gras Day. There’s something for everyone — from huge superkrewes like Bacchus to artistic micro-krewes like ‘tit Rex.

January 2026 Mardi Gras Parades

  • 01/17/2026 – Krewe Mosaique Parade

  • 01/24/2026 – Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus

  • 01/30/2026 – Krewe Bohème

  • 01/31/2026 – Krewe du Vieux

  • 01/31/2026 – krewedelusion

February 2026 Mardi Gras Parades

  • 02/01/2026 – 'tit Rex

  • 02/01/2026 – Krewe of Nefertiti

  • 02/06/2026 – Krewe of Cleopatra

  • 02/06/2026 – Krewe of Cork

  • 02/06/2026 – Krewe of Oshun

  • 02/07/2026 – Knights of Sparta / Spartan Society

  • 02/07/2026 – Krewe of Choctaw

  • 02/07/2026 – Krewe of Freret

  • 02/07/2026 – Krewe of Pontchartrain

  • 02/07/2026 – Krewe of Pygmalion

  • 02/07/2026 – Legion of Mars

  • 02/08/2026 – Knights of King Arthur

  • 02/08/2026 – Krewe of Carrollton

  • 02/08/2026 – Mystic Krewe of Barkus

  • 02/08/2026 – Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale

  • 02/11/2026 – Krewe of Alla

  • 02/11/2026 – Mystic Krewe of Druids

  • 02/12/2026 – Knights of Chaos

  • 02/12/2026 – Krewe of Muses

  • 02/13/2026 – Knights of Babylon

  • 02/13/2026 – Krewe of Bosom Buddies

  • 02/13/2026 – Krewe of Hermes

  • 02/13/2026 – Krewe of Morpheus

  • 02/13/2026 – Le Krewe D'Etat

  • 02/14/2026 – Krewe of Endymion

  • 02/14/2026 – Krewe of Iris

  • 02/14/2026 – Krewe of Mid-City

  • 02/14/2026 – Krewe of NOMTOC

  • 02/14/2026 – Krewe of Tucks

  • 02/15/2026 – Krewe of Bacchus

  • 02/15/2026 – Krewe of Okeanos

  • 02/15/2026 – Krewe of Thoth

  • 02/16/2026 – Krewe of Orpheus

  • 02/16/2026 – Krewe of Proteus

  • 02/16/2026 – Red Beans, Dead Beans, and the Krewe of Feijão

Mardi Gras Day: February 17, 2026

  • 02/17/2026 – Krewe of Crescent City

  • 02/17/2026 – Krewe of Elks-Orleans

  • 02/17/2026 – Krewe of Rex

  • 02/17/2026 – Krewe of Zulu

  • 02/17/2026 – Mardi Gras Day 

Looking Ahead: Start of Mardi Gras 2027 (Twelfth Night Parades)

  • 01/06/2027 – Funky Uptown Krewe

  • 01/06/2027 – Joan of Arc Parade

  • 01/06/2027 – Phunny Phorty Phellows

  • 01/06/2027 – Société Des Champs Elysée / Not So Secret Society of the Elysian Fields 

My Favorite Mardi Gras Parades: Zulu + Endymion

There are so many legendary parades — but if you want Mardi Gras in its purest form and its biggest spectacle?

My favorites will always be:
✅ Zulu
✅ Endymion

Zulu: The Soul of Mardi Gras Day

Zulu is culture. It’s tradition. It’s celebration with meaning.

Zulu brings:

  • powerful New Orleans pride

  • unforgettable costumes

  • incredible throws

  • and one of the most legendary Mardi Gras prizes…

The Zulu coconut.

Catching a coconut isn’t just luck — it’s a moment.

Zulu is one of the most iconic experiences you can have on Mardi Gras Day.

Endymion: The Superkrewe Spectacle

Endymion is pure energy.

Massive floats. Big excitement. Big crowds. Big moments.

If Zulu is the cultural heartbeat, Endymion is Mardi Gras theater — and seeing it in person feels like stepping into the center of New Orleans magic.

 

 

What to Wear + What to Pack for Mardi Gras (Don’t Make This Mistake)

Mardi Gras is crowded, high-energy, and hands-on.

Locals know this:
your bag matters.

You will be:

  • catching throws

  • walking blocks

  • standing for hours

  • moving through crowds

  • protecting your phone, keys, ID, and money

The best bags for Mardi Gras parades:

  • a secure crossbody

  • a small hands-free backpack

  • a belt bag/fanny pack

That’s why the Napoleon Crossbody by Chuupul Leather fits Mardi Gras perfectly — it’s designed for movement, built in real leather, and made for travel days that turn into legendary stories.

A bag that doesn’t sit in a closet. It goes where you go. 

Why Mardi Gras + Chuupul Leather Belong Together

Chuupul means together, and Mardi Gras is one of the strongest togetherness traditions in America.

It’s where the city becomes one big family:

  • locals + visitors

  • music + movement

  • tradition + creativity

So when you come to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, don’t just show up…

Arrive ready.
And carry something worthy of the moment.  

Mardi Gras FAQ 

When is Mardi Gras 2026?

Mardi Gras Day is Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

When does Mardi Gras season start?

Carnival season begins on January 6 (Twelfth Night).

Is Mardi Gras only one weekend?

No — Mardi Gras is a full season with parades throughout January and February leading up to Mardi Gras Day.

What are the best Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans?

Some of the most popular include:

  • Zulu

  • Rex

  • Endymion

  • Bacchus

  • Orpheus

  • Muses

What are Mardi Gras parade routes?

New Orleans parade routes typically fall into two main areas:

  • Uptown (St. Charles Ave route)

  • Mid-City (Canal Street/Mid-City route)

What should I wear to Mardi Gras?

Wear Mardi Gras colors (purple, green, gold) and costumes are encouraged. Comfortable shoes are essential.

Do businesses close on Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans?

Yes — many non-essential businesses close due to the city-wide celebration.

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