Everywhere else, it's just a Tuesday.

Mark Twain once wrote that a traveler " ... has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans." Of the hundreds of Louisiana festivals, none tops Mardi Gras. Spectacular parades, unbelievable costumes, music, dancing, food, drink – take your pick of places to indulge and enjoy. The biggest celebration occurs in New Orleans, but nearly every community in the state has its own version of the annual party. Wherever you go, you can find the style that best suits you, including tons of family-friendly celebrations.

The State of Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras Campaign Expanded Content
North
North Louisiana
Fun on the up and up.

From muddy adventure to costumed dogs in their Carnival best, enjoy all of the normal-to-us Mardi Gras sights and sounds.

New orleans celebration
DESOTO PARISH

It’s Carnival time and the good times roll when Krewe of Demeter and Krewe of Aquarius bring their family-friendly parades and festive street parties to Mansfield.

Monre Mardi Gras
MONROE-WEST MONROE

The Twin Cities Krewe de Rivière's Grand Ball and Mardi Gras parade, as well as the electrifying Krewe of Janus night parade are the standout events in this area.

Shreveport Bossier
SHREVEPORT

Dogs, cats, turtles, goats and more are the main attraction at Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Pet Parade.

Webster Mardi Gras
WEBSTER PARISH

Get down and dirty at the Cajun Muddy Gras, the biggest, messiest, family-friendly Mardi Gras party around.

Central
Central Louisiana
Middle of it all.

Take a Mardi Gras road trip with pit stops for King Cakes, po'boys, classic car shows, masked balls and a whole lot more.

Allen Parish Celebrates Mardi Gras
Allen Parish

With a 15-mile horse and wagon trail ride plus a kaleidoscope of costumes, Cajun music and the Annual Chicken Chase, there’s plenty to see and do.

Alexandria Pineville
ALEXANDRIA/PINEVILLE

Tailgate with family and friends at the nighttime parade and watch illuminated floats ride across the bridge from Pineville to Alexandria.

Evangeline Parish Mardi Gras
EVANGELINE PARISH

Compete in the prettiest (and ugliest) costume contests, listen to Cajun music and join the community hunt for ingredients for a gumbo feast.

Natchitoches
NATCHITOCHES

From Mardi Gras to meat pies, come over as the parade celebrations roll in Louisiana’s Oldest City.

South
South Louisiana
Southern flavor. Quirky adventures.

Watch eccentric parades featuring pink flamingos or decorated lawn mowers, and experience the thrill of authentic traditions like the chasing of the chickens at a traditional Courir de Mardi Gras.

Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Celebration
Baton Rouge

 One of the the most notable of the Capital City's many parades is Spanish Town – an irreverent celebration replete with irony, political satire and a kitschy pink flamingo mascot.

Cajun coast  Mardi Gras
CAJUN COAST

Mardi Gras on the Cajun Coast means dozens of centuries-old celebrations, rollicking parades and all the King Cake you can eat.

Houma  Mardi Gras
HOUMA

With countless parades full of colorfully themed floats, marching bands and nonstop fun, you'll love this true Cajun celebration and one of the state’s largest Mardi Gras events.

Iberia Mardi Gras
IBERIA PARISH

Grand Marais is an iconic Mardi Gras party with ultra-elaborate costume contests for everything from ugliest to the most original.

Jeff Davis Mardi Gras
JEFF DAVIS PARISH

See the best accordion and squeezebox players in the world compete at the annual Squeezebox Shootout.

Jefferson Parish
JEFFERSON PARISH

Enjoy an extravaganza of Mardi Gras parades, authentic cuisine, local art, kids' court plus a marching band competition and concerts featuring national artists and Louisiana favorites!

Lafayette Mardi Gras
LAFAYETTE

Since 1869, Lafayette’s Le Festival de Mardi Gras has featured masked balls, walking parades and a host of carnival rides and revelry.

Lake Charles Mardi Gras
LAKE CHARLES

Gather around the shore of the lake to see the annual Lighted Boat Parade and other celebrations – but only after you’ve had your fill at the casinos.

Cajun Bayou Mardi Gras
LOUISIANA'S CAJUN BAYOU

Enjoy Mardi Gras in a way that only Cajuns can provide with more than a dozen family-friendly parades, beautiful floats, beads, throws and more trinkets than you can carry.

New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS

Louisiana is full of quirky Mardi Gras traditions, but New Orleans is the home base. Be here to see what new surprises are in store this year.

point- coupee
POINTE COUPEE

Known as Louisiana’s "Little Carnival Capital" with a reputation for one of the most family-friendly Mardi Gras celebrations!

River Parishes
RIVER PARISHES

River Parish communities celebrate Mardi Gras much like they live – loudly, joyfully and vibrantly. Come experience the excitement and "laissez les bons temps rouler" River Style.

St Benard
ST. BERNARD PARISH

Head to “New Orleans’ Most Historic Neighbor” for a family-friendly Mardi Gras experience! Located just five miles from downtown New Orleans, hop on over to celebrate Carnival.

St Laundry Mardi Gras
ST. LANDRY PARISH

Come to the Courir de Mardi Gras for costumed capuchons, the chicken chase and the kid’s version called Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras.

St Martins Mardi Gras
ST. MARTIN PARISH

Watch the parade at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park before joining the Courir des Enfants as children parade around to find all of the ingredients for gumbo.

st tammany Mardi Gras
ST. TAMMANY PARISH/LOUISIANA'S NORTHSHORE

Extravagant boat parades and bedazzled lawnmower contests headline a series of one-of-a-kind traditions in St. Tammany Parish.

Tangipahoa Parish Mardi Gras
TANGIPAHOA PARISH

Attend the annual Krewe of Omega Mardi Gras Parade celebrating marching bands and crazy floats in a family-friendly zone.

Vermilion Parish
VERMILION PARISH

As founded by a group of women in 1955, Kaplan’s Mardi Gras is a must-do as are the Chic-A-La-Pie parade and the entire menu at Suire’s Grocery and Restaurant.

Washington Parish
WASHINGTON PARISH

The small town of Franklinton packs a big carnival punch! Head to Louisiana’s piney hills for a family-friendly Mardi Gras celebration for the ages!

West Baton Rouge
WEST BATON ROUGE

Get into the Mardi Gras mix along the Mississippi River with beautiful parades, regional cuisine and a rich palette of flavors refined by generations of culture.

See For Yourself

Watch these stories for a glimpse of Mardi Gras in Louisiana!

Looking Forward to Mardi Gras

Dive into the fun and exciting story of Mardi Gras with our resident Mardi Gras expert, Arthur Hardy.

How did Mardi Gras get started?

Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday." Get the quick rundown on the origins of Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras in Louisiana!

What all is involved with Mardi Gras and Carnival season? Watch the video to see how Louisiana celebrates Mardi Gras.

It's not Mardi Gras without King Cake

Mardi Gras is famous for a lot of things including the King Cake! This delicious treat really shows off the signature Mardi Gras colors; purple, green and gold.

12th Night in Louisiana

Learn about Twelfth Night and what it signifies.

Mardi Gras Revelry

Let the good times roll with these memories of Carnival revelry from years past.