AllEvents tracks thousands of live events across cities worldwide. Based on recurring Carnival programming and cultural traditions with long-standing participation, these are the best things to do during Mardi Gras 2026 in New Orleans — including festivals, nightlife, food traditions, and free activities beyond the parade route.
Visitors looking for things to do in New Orleans during Mardi Gras will find that food traditions, live music, cultural events, and free street celebrations play as central a role as the parades themselves.
Mardi Gras week in New Orleans runs from Thursday, February 12 through Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (Fat Tuesday). Most visitors arrive the weekend before Mardi Gras Day to experience the highest concentration of events.
This guide is designed for first-time visitors, returning travelers, and locals who want to experience Mardi Gras 2026 in New Orleans beyond parade schedules — focusing on events, food, music, and street culture.
Best Official Mardi Gras Events & Traditions in New Orleans (2026)
These events represent officially recognized Carnival traditions with decades of continuous programming. Visitors planning their week alongside the official Mardi Gras 2026 parade schedule in New Orleans often build their days around these cultural events and traditions.
According to AllEvents event discovery data and historical attendance patterns, these traditions consistently draw the highest participation during Mardi Gras week in New Orleans.
Lundi Gras Festival
Date: Monday, February 16, 2026
Location: Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Event Type: Free outdoor festival
The Lundi Gras Festival marks the official start of Mardi Gras celebrations with the ceremonial arrival of the Rex and Zulu kings by riverboat. The event includes live music stages, food vendors, and community programming throughout the afternoon and evening. Free admission has made this one of the most attended pre-Mardi Gras gatherings in the city.
For first-time Mardi Gras visitors, Lundi Gras offers a structured, family-friendly introduction to Carnival traditions before the intensity of Mardi Gras Day.
Best for: First-time visitors and families seeking accessible Carnival programming.
Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday
Date: March 2026 (date varies annually)
Location: A.L. Davis Park and surrounding neighborhoods
Event Type: Cultural procession
Mardi Gras Indian tribes display hand-sewn suits and perform call-and-response chants in this tradition that has continued for more than a century. Tribes gather in neighborhoods across the city, with the main gathering typically occurring at A.L. Davis Park. The event showcases one of the most distinctive cultural practices associated with New Orleans Carnival.
Ideal for culture seekers and photographers documenting traditional Carnival practices.
Krewe of Barkus Parade
Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Location: French Quarter
Event Type: Costume parade for dogs
Founded in 1993, Barkus is the official Mardi Gras parade for dogs and their owners. Costumed dogs walk through the French Quarter with themed entries and throws designed for canine participants. The krewe has maintained continuous operations for more than three decades.
Appeals most to pet owners and families with children.
Best Concerts, Parties & Nightlife Experiences During Mardi Gras
New Orleans nightlife operates at full capacity during Carnival week. Music venues, bars, and street parties run from early afternoon through late night across multiple districts.
French Quarter Live Music District
Dates: February 12-17, 2026
Location: French Quarter (Frenchmen Street, Bourbon Street, Royal Street)
Event Type: Live music venues and street performances
Jazz clubs, brass band performances, and pop-up shows operate continuously throughout Carnival week. Preservation Hall, Tipitina’s, and dozens of smaller venues host Mardi Gras-themed programming. Street musicians perform on corners throughout the Quarter, particularly along Frenchmen Street and in Jackson Square.
No advance tickets required for most street performances. Indoor venues typically charge cover fees.
Well suited to: Music enthusiasts and late-night visitors.
Bourbon Street Balcony Parties
Dates: Peak activity February 14-17, 2026
Location: Bourbon Street between Canal and St. Ann
Event Type: Street-level and balcony celebrations
Private balcony parties and street-level gatherings define Bourbon Street during Carnival. Participants throw beads from balconies to crowds below. Most activity occurs on the final weekend and Mardi Gras Day itself. The tradition of bead-throwing from balconies has continued for decades as one of the most photographed aspects of modern Mardi Gras.
Best for: Adult visitors seeking high-energy nightlife environments.
Warehouse District Club Events
Dates: February 13-16, 2026
Location: Warehouse District and adjacent areas
Event Type: Ticketed parties and club nights
Large-scale dance parties and DJ-led events operate in the Warehouse District throughout Carnival weekend. Most events require advance tickets. Programming includes electronic music, hip-hop, and themed costume parties. The district serves as an alternative to French Quarter nightlife.
Ideal for visitors seeking structured nightlife with DJ programming.
Best Food & Drink Experiences During Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Food traditions define much of the Carnival experience beyond parades and nightlife. King Cake consumption and restaurant programming increase significantly during the season.
King Cake Trail
Dates: Throughout Carnival season (January 6 – February 17, 2026)
Event Type: Self-guided food experience
Bakeries across New Orleans produce King Cakes from Epiphany through Mardi Gras Day. Traditional cakes contain cinnamon filling and are topped with purple, green, and gold icing. Contemporary variations include cream cheese, fruit, and chocolate fillings. Eating King Cake throughout Carnival season is one of the most widely practiced Mardi Gras traditions among locals and visitors.
Major producers include Haydel’s Bakery, Dong Phuong, Randazzo’s, and Gambino’s. Most bakeries require advance orders during peak Carnival weeks.
Best for: First-time visitors and families seeking traditional Carnival foods.
Mardi Gras World
Dates: Open daily, February 1-28, 2026
Location: 1380 Port of New Orleans Place
Event Type: Behind-the-scenes tour and museum
Mardi Gras World offers guided tours of the Kern Studios float construction facility. Visitors see how floats are designed, built, and stored between Carnival seasons. The facility houses thousands of float props and offers King Cake tastings as part of admission. Tours last approximately one hour.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. The facility has operated tours for more than 30 years.
Well suited to families and first-time Mardi Gras visitors seeking context on parade traditions.
Restaurant Mardi Gras Specials
Dates: February 12-17, 2026
Event Type: Special menus and themed dining
Restaurants across the city offer Mardi Gras-themed menus during Carnival week. Traditional dishes include gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and po’boys. Commander’s Palace, Brennan’s, and Galatoire’s maintain expanded hours and special programming throughout the week. Many establishments require reservations weeks in advance.
Ideal for visitors seeking sit-down dining during Carnival celebrations.
Best Free Things to Do During Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Many of the most authentic Mardi Gras experiences in New Orleans take place outside ticketed events and require no formal planning.
Free activities represent some of the most culturally significant aspects of New Orleans Carnival. These traditions have continued for decades and remain accessible to locals and visitors without admission fees.
Costume Culture in the French Quarter
Dates: February 14-17, 2026 (peak on Mardi Gras Day)
Location: French Quarter, particularly Royal Street and Jackson Square
Locals and visitors dress in full costume throughout Carnival week. Costume viewing peaks on Mardi Gras Day when thousands participate in elaborate dress. The tradition of public costuming distinguishes New Orleans Mardi Gras from other Carnival celebrations and has been a core element of the festival for more than a century.
No participation requirements. Costume rental shops operate throughout the city.
Best for: Photographers and first-time visitors experiencing street-level Carnival culture.
Second Line Parades
Dates: Throughout Carnival season
Location: Various neighborhoods (Treme, Bywater, Marigny)
Spontaneous brass band processions occur throughout New Orleans neighborhoods during Carnival. Second lines follow brass bands through streets, dancing and celebrating without formal organization. These informal parades operate separately from official krewe parades and require no schedule or tickets.
Participants follow the music until the band stops playing. Second lines represent one of the oldest forms of New Orleans street celebration.
Appeals most to music enthusiasts and visitors seeking unstructured Carnival experiences.
Uptown Mardi Gras Traditions Along St. Charles Avenue
Dates: February 12-17, 2026
Location: St. Charles Avenue between Napoleon and Canal
Most Uptown parade routes follow St. Charles Avenue. The neutral ground (median) provides free viewing space for all major parades. Families set up chairs and ladders hours before parade start times. Catching throws from passing floats is free and accessible to all viewers along the route.
This viewing tradition has continued for more than a century and remains the most popular way locals experience Mardi Gras.
Best for: Families and multi-generational groups seeking traditional parade viewing.
Mardi Gras Day Street Parties
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Location: Citywide, particularly French Quarter and Uptown
Fat Tuesday operates as a city-wide street festival with no formal programming. Neighborhoods host spontaneous gatherings, music performances, and costume displays. Most businesses close for the day. The city shuts down vehicular traffic in the French Quarter and along parade routes.
Street parties represent the culmination of Carnival season and continue from early morning through midnight.
Ideal for visitors seeking immersive, unstructured Carnival experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do during Mardi Gras besides parades?
The best non-parade activities include the Lundi Gras Festival, French Quarter live music, King Cake tastings, costume-watching on Mardi Gras Day, and following second line brass bands through neighborhoods. Most of these experiences are free or low-cost.
Are there free things to do during Mardi Gras in New Orleans?
Yes. Parade viewing along St. Charles Avenue, second line parades, costume culture in the French Quarter, and Mardi Gras Day street parties all operate without admission fees. The Lundi Gras Festival is also free to attend.
Is Mardi Gras only about parades?
No. Parades represent one element of Carnival season. Music performances, food traditions, costume culture, and neighborhood celebrations operate independently of official parade schedules. Many locals participate in Mardi Gras without attending parades.
When should I arrive in New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2026?
Most visitors arrive the weekend before Mardi Gras Day (February 14-15, 2026) to experience the full week of events. Major parades run Thursday through Tuesday, with peak activity occurring Saturday through Fat Tuesday.
Do I need tickets for Mardi Gras events?
Most Mardi Gras activities are free. Parades, street parties, and second lines require no tickets. Indoor events, restaurant reservations, and some nightlife venues require advance booking. Mardi Gras World tours must be purchased ahead of time.
