Mardi Gras is more than a celebration in Louisiana. It is a living expression of the state’s history, cultural diversity, and collective identity. Rooted in centuries of French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and Indigenous influence, Carnival season reflects how communities across Louisiana mark time, honor tradition, and come together in public space.
From neighborhood walking parades to large-scale krewe processions, Mardi Gras connects rural towns and major cities through shared rituals, local pride, and generational continuity. Here’s a list of Louisiana Mardi Gras events.
New Orleans (Orleans Parish)
Carnival Opens
Carnival season officially begins on January 6, marking the start of weeks of parades and street celebrations.
- Jan 6: Joan of Arc Parade, Phunny Phorty Phellows, Funky Uptown Krewe
Major Krewe Highlights
- Jan 24: Chewbacchus
- Jan 31: Krewe du Vieux, krewedelusion
- Feb 1: ’tit Rex, Barkus
- Feb 6–8: Cleopatra, Oshun, Freret, Sparta, Carrollton
- Feb 11–13: Muses, Babylon, Morpheus, Hermes
- Feb 14: Endymion, Iris, Tucks
- Feb 15: Bacchus, Okeanos, Thoth
- Feb 16: Orpheus, Proteus
- Feb 17 (Mardi Gras Day): Zulu, Rex, Argus
Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish)
- Jan 31: Krewe of Oshun, Scotlandville
- Feb 6: Krewe of Artemis, Downtown
- Feb 7:
- Le Krewe Mystique de la Capitale, Downtown
- Krewe of Orion, Downtown (night)
- Feb 8: Mid City Gras Parade
- Feb 13: Krewe of Southdowns
- Feb 14: Spanish Town Mardi Gras Parade
- Feb 16: Krewe of Shenandoah
- Feb 22: CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts
Ascension Parish
Gonzales
- Jan 31: Krewe of Ascension Mambo Masquerade Ball
- Feb 7: Krewe of Ascension Mardi Gras Mambo Parade
Donaldsonville
- Jan 4: Krewe of D’Ville Mardi Gras Parade
Prairieville
- No standalone parade listed. Residents typically attend Gonzales and Donaldsonville parades.
West Baton Rouge Parish
Port Allen and Addis
- Feb 7: Addis Firemen Mardi Gras Parade
- Feb 15: Krewe of Good Friends of the Oaks Parade, Port Allen
Brusly
- No major standalone parade publicly listed. Residents attend Port Allen and Baton Rouge events.
East Baton Rouge North
Zachary
- Feb 15: Zachary Mardi Gras Parade
Baker
- No city-specific parade listed. Residents attend Baton Rouge and Zachary events.
Central Louisiana
Alexandria
- Early to mid February:
- Classic Cars and College Cheerleaders Parade
- Alexandria Mardi Gras Krewes Parade
Natchitoches
- Krewe of Wag-uns Parade
- Krewe of Dionysos Parade
Acadia Parish
- Feb 14: Rayne Mardi Gras Parade and Cookoff
- Feb 17: Carnival d’Acadie, Crowley
Shreveport-Bossier
- Jan 15–24: MLK DreamFest cultural programming
- Jan 17: Krewe of Sobek Parade, downtown Shreveport
- Jan 19: Krewe of Harambee Parade, downtown Shreveport
- Feb 7: Krewe of Centaur Parade, downtown Shreveport
- Feb 14: Krewe of Gemini Parade, downtown Shreveport
- Feb 15: Krewe of Highland Parade, Highland Historic District
Lafayette
- Feb 6–8: Carnival weekend activities and parades
- Feb13–17: Major Lafayette Mardi Gras events surrounding Fat Tuesday