All On a Mardi Gras Weekend
Photo by David Fary
This is it. The weekend when the city of New Orleans says, “Goodbye reality!” and “Hello, Mardi Gras.” This is the greatest six days of the year to be in New Orleans, hands down, and if you’re here on vacation — well, all we can say is lucky you.
The greater New Orleans area is hosting about 80 parades every year, each with its own krewe rites and related festivities. For the unfamiliar, a “krewe” is a New Orleans carnival society. Krewes can be loose affiliations of friends or massive organized entities with hierarchies and financial dues. The oldest and largest krewes in the city “roll” in parades in the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras.
Since no one can get to every activity going on the weekend preceding Fat Tuesday and leading up to Ash Wednesday (seriously, it’s not physically possible), here are some that offer the best and weirdest of Mardi Gras this parade season. Remember to pace yourself. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
By the way, when we mention “throws” that just means something a float rider tosses to the parade audience. Throws can range from beads to toys to more individualized souvenirs. Note that all parades follow a set route; you can pick a spot anywhere along said route to watch the show, including the ticketed grandstands in the CBD and Warehouse District. For a schedule of parades, check here.
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Parades: Knights of Babylon, Knights of Chaos, Krewe of Muses (Uptown)
The Knights of Babylon go back to 1939 and honor the Carnival traditions by using the flambeaux and the floats with the same designs as decades ago. The king’s float is still drawn by a mule. Babylon’s 200 knights are led by their king, Sargon, whose identity is not revealed to the public. Babylon’s theme is also kept secret till the day of the parade.
According to Greek mythology, Chaos was the void out of which the universe and all its gods were created. In 2000, the Knights of Chaos filled the void created when the Knights of Momus stopped parading in 1992 after 100 years. The 225-member all-male krewe parades on the Thursday before Fat Tuesday (traditionally known as “Momus Thursday.”) Like Momus, Chaos presents a satirical parade. They never reveal the king’s identity or the parade theme ahead of time.
The Krewe of Muses is one of Carnival’s most popular parades thanks to its dazzling floats, top-notch marching bands, and bitingly humorous themes. The cup throw bears the design of the annual contest winner among the local school children. The winner also gets to ride as a guest of the krewe. Look for the iconic shoe float with this year’s honorary muse. And see if you can catch one of the most coveted throws of the Carnival season, the hand-decorated Muses shoe. Each shoe is a one-of-a-kind piece of art, and some parade-goers would stop at very little to score one.
Friday, February 28, 2025
Greasing of the Poles
French Quarter, 300 Bourbon Street
Every year, folks at the Royal Sonesta Hotel hold a ceremony wherein the building’s support poles are greased to keep folks from climbing onto the balcony. Hint: People still try, with hilarious results. The event is free; plan to show up early because it gets crowded.
Parades: Krewe of Bosom Buddies & Breast Friends (French Quarter), Hermes, followed by d’Etat and Morpheus (Uptown)
The Krewe of Bosom Buddies & Breast Friends is a walking krewe that parades in the French Quarter on the Friday before Mardi Gras. The parade starts and ends on Bourbon Street, and the krewe is usually dressed in tutus, bras and hats that reflect that year’s theme. The signature throw is a hand-decorated bra. The parade is raucous fun for sure, so we won’t call it 100% kid-friendly.
The Knights of Hermes has been around since the Great Depression and was one of the first parades to mobilize after Katrina. About 700 male riders are led by their captain clad in full regalia and riding a white horse.
The satirical Le Krewe d’Etat traditionally follows Hermes with 21 floats plus its Captain and officers on horseback. The theme is secret until parade day. Look for members of the krewe dressed as walking skeletons handing out the D’Etat Gazette and wooden doubloons. The Gazette has illustrations and descriptions of the floats and is only available during the parade. Another covetable throw is the blinking logo skull bead.
The Krewe of Morpheus parade is a jaw-dropping spectacle with about 500 riders and beautifully illuminated floats.
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Parades: Iris, followed by Tucks (Uptown)
Endymion (Mid-City, Downtown)
Amazingly, the Krewe of Iris has been around since 1917, making it the oldest female Carnival organization for women. Iris’ 1,500 members wear white gloves and masks, and the parade features such unique throws as king cake babies and hand-decorated sunglasses.
The Krewe of Tucks was started in 1969 by a group of Loyola students and is named after the now-gone Uptown pub. Tucks is known for satirical floats and irreverence (one of the signature floats, for example, is a giant toilet).
These days Krewe of Endymion is the only super krewe parade that graces Mid-City, and people camp out for days in advance staking their spots (heard of Krewe of Chad?). While we won’t comment on that, we certainly understand the reasons for the parade’s immense popularity. With a whopping 3,100 riders and 37 floats (many are tandem units with up to nine sections!), plus celebrity guests and big-name bands, Endymion is an amazing spectacle. It also helps that the riders are notoriously generous with beads (the krewe’s motto is “Throw ’til It Hurts”), and the event kicks off at noon with a huge block party on Orleans Avenue, Samedi Gras.
From Mid-City the parade makes its way to Lee Circle, ending up at the Champions Square and finally inside the Superdome for some serious partying at the Endymion Extravaganza.
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Parades: Okeanos, followed by Mid-City and Thoth, then Bacchus (Uptown)
Founded in 1949, the Krewe of Okeanos was originally a neighborhood parade on St. Claude Avenue but eventually moved to a traditional Uptown/Downtown route on St. Charles Avenue. Okeanos has about 250 male and female riders. Notably, instead of the traditional bal masque the krewe hosts a coronation ball where the king is presented and the queen is selected by random draw.
The Krewe of Mid-City also dates back a while, to 1933, and consists of 300 all-male members. The parade has a unique look featuring tinfoil as well as animation, and is known to rock themes irresistible to children. The king and queen are kids selected each year from the local Ronald McDonald House.
Thoth, founded in 1947, had been following its own parade route designed to pass several healthcare institutions that care for people with disabilities and illnesses (thus bringing the Carnival to those who otherwise wouldn’t be likely to see the parades rolling elsewhere). The krewe is known to throw generously and has 1,600 riders on its 50 floats. It’s one of the highlights of the Carnival.
Box of Wine is a walking parade that rolls between Thoth and Bacchus, whenever the police escort gives a green light, from a secret location that changes every year. It follows the Bacchus route but you won’t mistake it for any other Uptown parade. It is decidedly its own animal, in all its artsy, bohemian glory. Satire and the god of wine rule; and the joyful, rowdy procession of revelers clad in some of the most creative costumes you’ll see during the Carnival generously pours from boxes of wine for the onlookers lined up to see Bacchus — into cups, or straight from the box into the mouths.
The last treat of the Sunday before Mardi Gras is the unmatched super-krewe parade, Bacchus. Bacchus was the first parade to invite a celebrity king to lead the parade, breaking with the Carnival tradition. Expect spectacular animated super-floats and covetable throws. Look for the Bacchus’ signature floats like its Kong Family and the Baccha-gator. The massive parade ends at the Convention Center for its annual black-tie Rendezvous party.
Monday, March 3, 2025 (Lundi Gras)
Parades: Proteus, followed by Orpheus (Uptown)
Red Beans/Dead Beans (Marigny/Bayou St. John, Tremé)
The Krewe of Proteus is the second-oldest krewe in Carnival history, founded in 1882. Unbelievably, the floats still use the original chassis. The identity of the king of the parade is never revealed to the public. The kings traditionally ride in a giant seashell float; throws include pearl bead necklaces and plastic tridents.
Krewe of Orpheus was co-founded by musician/actor Harry Connick, Jr. and his father, Harry Connick, Sr., former New Orleans district attorney. It was the first super krewe to include both male and female riders, and it’s considered one of the most beautiful parades of the season.
The floats are elaborately designed and decorated with oversized flowers and fiber optic lighting. Covetable throws include light-up medallion beads and stuffed dragons. Like Bacchus, Orpheus ends at the Convention Center for its black-tie ball, and invites celebrities to reign as parade royalty.
A family-friendly, quirky Red Beans parade of revelers clad in costumes that are decorated with (and sometimes, made of) dried red beans started in 2008 and traditionally rolls on Lundi Gras. There’s also a slew of outfits that celebrate Louisiana folklore and food. This highly participatory walking parade of about 150 members winds from the Marigny into the Tremé, where it meets up with the newcomer Dead Beans. Formed in 2018 as a Red Beans spin-off, Dead Beans walks from the Bayou St. John neighborhood in Mid-City.
Woldenberg Park
The annual Lundi Gras Festival provides a unique glimpse at the Zulu characters that make an appearance each year at the Zulu parade on Mardi Gras Day: the Big Shot, Witch Doctor, Ambassador, Mayor, Governor, Mr. Big Stuff, and more. The free festival is hosted by the members of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club on the Riverfront and has three stages of music plus food and activities for the kids.
It’s also a Carnival tradition for Rex, the King of the Rex parade, the King of Zulu parade, and their entourage to meet on Lundi Gras on the Riverfront, and for the Mayor of New Orleans to salute the two monarchs and turn over symbolic control of the city for the following day. Don’t miss this highlight!
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (Mardi Gras Day)
Parades: Zulu (Uptown, Tremé)
Rex, followed by Elks, and Crescent City (Uptown)
Society of St. Ann/Society of St. Cecilia (Bywater/Marigny/French Quarter)
The Krewe of Zulu parade begins bright and early on Mardi Gras Day at S. Claiborne and Jackson avenues, weaving its way down St. Charles Avenue to Lee Circle, then to Canal Street, and ending up at Broad and Orleans streets. It’s probably best to watch it towards the end of the parade, in Tremé.
Wherever you end up, however, Zulu is not to be missed. One of the oldest Carnival parades in the city, Zulu dates back to the early 1900s. Louis Armstrong reigned as its King in 1949.
Zulu’s traditional honor guard, the Soulful Warriors, has a roster of characters that make an appearance each year, including Big Shot, Witch Doctor, Ambassador, Mayor, Province Prince, Governor, and Mr. Big Stuff. One of the most covetable throws of the Carnival is Zulu’s hand-painted, glitzed-up coconut. The parade is preceded by the coronation ball, typically on the weekend before Mardi Gras, at the Convention Center.
Rex, the King of Carnival, is the mothership of many Mardi Gras traditions, like doubloon throws and even the official Carnival colors of purple, green and gold. The parade was founded in 1872, apparently to impress the visiting Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia.
Today the parade traditionally follows Zulu on Fat Tuesday and consists of about 600 riders. The king’s identity is kept secret until Lundi Gras, and it’s usually a civic leader and an important citizen of New Orleans. Traditionally, the city mayor hands Rex a symbolic key to the city on Lundi Gras, and Rex royalty meets the Zulu royalty.
The Krewe of Elks-Orleans, the oldest and largest of all the truck float krewes, follows Rex down St. Charles Ave with 50 individually designed truck floats carrying about 4,600 male and female riders.
The last parade of the Carnival, the Krewe of Crescent City, is also a truck parade. It follows Elks, signaling the beginning of the end of the Carnival.
If you want to see some very impressive costumes look for the Society of St Anne walking parade. The members gather in the Bywater around Piety St. and Burgundy St., and usually roll around 9 a.m. or so, through the Marigny and the Quarter to the Mississippi River, with many stops on the way. The route isn’t set in stone but you can look for them around 10 a.m. in the Marigny by the R Bar.
Since the parade’s inception in the late 1960s, the members would pay tribute to those who had passed away in the preceding year at the river, by depositing their ashes in the water, making offerings, and so on.
Along the lines of the St. Anne Society, the Society of St. Cecilia, which started marching in 2007, also walks from the Bywater around the same time to the river. The two processions inevitably merge at some point, then scatter, and are organically joined by fellow revelers. Both parades are a fabulous sight and are among some of the best things about Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
The Backstreet Cultural Museum
Mardi Gras Day morning
If you want to see Mardi Gras Indians on the march, the fantastically evocative costumes of the North Side Skull & Bones Gang, and the dazzling performances of the Baby Dolls, head to the Backstreet Cultural Museum, where all of these elements, which draw on cultural traditions that speak to New Orleans’ deep African and Native American roots, swirl into a heady brew. Trust us: It’s one of the most powerful sights you’ll see in this country at any time of the year.
The North Side Skull & Bones Gang leaves the Backstreet Cultural Museum before dawn, according to the tradition started in the 1800s, to wake up the neighborhood on Fat Tuesday. You never know when the Mardi Indians show up and where, but the Museum is a reliable spot to catch them. You can also try looking under the Claiborne Bridge and at Orleans Avenue and N. Claiborne Avenue on the earlier side of the day.
Frenchmen Street Party
All of Mardi Gras Day (till midnight for the outside activities)
The few blocks of Frenchmen Street starting at the foot of Esplanade by Decatur, and the adjacent Washington Square, are the places to be on Mardi Gras Day as the crowds merge and meander, forming a massive, all-day-long street party. It’s perfect for people-watching and showing off your own costume, running into people you know, and just dancing in the street. Come midnight, when you’ll have to clear off, there are plenty of bars along Frenchmen and nearby to duck into.
Are you coming to New Orleans for the Carnival? We’re jam-packed with parades and parties, and the temps are perfectly mild! Browse our top recommendations for historic hotels in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to find your perfect spot.
Also, check out our recommendations on How to Experience New Orleans Mardi Gras Like a Local, How to Dress for Mardi Gras, and Parade Rules and Tips.
Happy Mardi Gras!
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How to Dress for Mardi Gras
Costumes are to the Carnival season as peanut butter is to jelly — indispensable. We encourage you to consider wearing one, or at least accessorize with a sparkly headdress and some feathers. At the very least, wear something in the Carnival colors — purple, green and gold. Not only will it get you into the Mardi Gras spirit but you will fit right in. Here are our tips on how to dress for the Carnival and where to get the best costumes and costume-making supplies.
Practical Tips
- Think about what you want to wear while visiting New Orleans during the Carnival before you pack your bags. There’s no dress code unless you’re attending some Mardi Gras balls or certain parties, and pretty much anything goes. Thinking ahead will ensure that you’re comfortable but also feeling good about what you’re wearing during your visit.
- Also, think ahead about transporting your costume if you’re bringing one. Will the headdress fit into the suitcase? How do you pack your mask so that it makes it to New Orleans in one piece?
- No costume? No problem! You can pick up one up here, rent one, or make one. New Orleans is a costuming city, with plenty of options (see our shopping recommendations below).
- If you want to really enjoy Mardi Gras, dress comfortably. It’s a long party and you’ll likely be doing a lot of moving around, attending multiple events in one day, and spending a lot of time outside.
- You will likely also be standing on your feet for hours during parades, so bring comfortable shoes. And expect to walk a lot if you are watching any parades. The streets on and near the parade routes will be closed off, traffic will be congested, and cabs might be hard to come by.
- Do pack some heels though if you plan to attend any formal events.
- The only thing predictable about New Orleans weather is that it’s unpredictable. February temperatures have ranged from 48° to 65°. Dressing in layers would be wise. Carnival takes place at the end of winter, and some Fat Tuesdays have been really cold while others were positively balmy.
- Also, check the weather. If there’s any chance of rain, be sure to pack a raincoat, rain ponchos, umbrellas, and rain boots. Mardi Gras muck is a thing, especially if it rains, so rain boots will save your shoes from being ruined by the festive mix of mud, parade debris, and thousands of feet.
- Choose a bag that fits your needs. You’ll need to carry your essentials like your phone, your wallet and your phone charger, of course, plus a bag for throws if you’re attending a parade. But also consider packing water, an umbrella, and things you’ll need throughout the day without returning to your hotel. Snacks and beverages along parade routes are available, but you may not want to leave your spot or wait in line.
Costume Tips
- If you want your costume to stand out it will have to be truly fabulous. The bar is very, very high in New Orleans, and people here take costuming very seriously. A costume will be a must if you’re riding or walking in any parades.
- This doesn’t mean your costume shouldn’t be comfortable, of course. Mardi Gras is a marathon, and a lot of it is spent in the streets and getting yourself from point A to point B for another parade, party or ball. Choose a costume that will allow you to fit into the doorways, use a public restroom, won’t fall apart at the end of the day or cause scrutiny (the bar for the latter is very low in New Orleans though — only truly offensive and outrageous costumes would get any kind of negative attention — pretty much anything else goes, the crazier the better).
- Accessorize wisely. Don’t let the accessories weigh you down. You have some serious partying to do, for long stretches of time.
- Consider wearing a mask. You’ll notice that a lot of people wear masks, especially on Fat Tuesday. If you aren’t making one, there are plenty of places in New Orleans where you can buy one, from an inexpensive mass-produced one to an exquisite thing of beauty made by a local artist. See our suggestions below and happy masking!
- Finally, don’t feel like you need to conform. The point is to be yourself and feel good about wearing your costume. This is the perfect time to live in the moment and be free.
Where to Shop
French Quarter
Multiple locations
If you want a simple, inexpensive mask in the traditional Carnival colors check out the souvenir shops that pepper Decatur Street. They also carry festive hats, feather boas, and shirts in purple, green and gold. It’s an easy way to throw on some dazzle without breaking the bank or going all out on an elaborate costume.
Carl Mack Presents
1010 Conti St.
Not feeling like putting together a costume yourself? The Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes & Culture, located between N. Rampart and Burgundy streets in the French Quarter, features the private collection of its owner, Carl Mack, a costumer and entertainer known as The Xylophone Man.
It’s one the largest personal collections of Mardi Gras costumes in the city, and it tells the story of the walking clubs, masquerade balls, Mardi Gras Indians, krewe royalty, Social Aid and Pleasure clubs, and Cajun Mardi Gras. The museum’s costume closet is massive, and it does rentals, with prices starting as low as $75.
934 Royal St.
A funky-glam French Quarter institution with a very impressive collection of wigs (that you’ll get to try under the guidance of one of the shop’s helpful employees), plus costume accessories and makeup. Be warned though, this is THE wig stop for many, so expect a line in the days leading up to Fat Tuesday.
1235 N. Peters St.
The historic French Market has a vast daily flea market brimming with mass-produced Carnival accessories like masks and boas but also wearable works of art made by local artisans (masks, headpieces, fascinators, and more). Prices start low, so it’s a good spot to shop for some last-minute Carnival gear.
940 Decatur St.
This is a funky novelty store that sells collectibles, toys, accessories, and clothes.
805 Royal St.
Just steps from Jackson Square, Maskarade can meet all of your masking needs with its vast selection of handmade Italian masks (Venetian style) as well as a collection of masks done by local and national artists.
Nikki’s French Quarter Halloween Store
107 Chartres St.
The shop’s name mentions Halloween, but don’t let it deter you as it carries accessories, novelties, masks, makeup, body paint, and wigs that come in handy for other occasions.
414 N. Peters St.
Does this giant makeup chain even need an introduction? Sure enough, it’s conveniently located in the heart of the Quarter, and will meet all of your makeup needs come Carnival time.
629 Chartres St.
The Stitch is made by and for those who are obsessed with knitting, but there’s more to it than yarn. It’s also a great spot for almost any kind of arts and crafts supplies, so check it out if you’re attempting a DIY Mardi Gras costume.
Bywater
The Bargain Center
3200 Dauphine St.
If you don’t mind rummaging through an overwhelming inventory of oddities, vintage accessories and thrift-store fare this treasure trove is for you. There’s an occasional traditional costume that belonged to a float rider, or a unique, locally made creation on consignment. Also, check out the amazing Mardi Gras Indian headdresses mounted on the walls.
Piety Market at Hotel Peter & Paul
2317 Burgundy St.
This bustling neighborhood market is as New Orleans as it gets. This is a unique opportunity to grab a fabulous creation made by some of the best artists the city has to offer (the extensive vendor list is basically a who-is-who of artistic New Orleans).
Some of the most beautiful headdresses you will admire on Fat Tuesday probably came from Piety. The prices are beyond reasonable, and several vendors are usually on hand selling vintage and secondhand costumes and accessories. Try some delicious pop-up food while you shop, too.
Mid-City
2737 Canal St.
Despite its name, this shop doesn’t carry costumes but is a solid choice if you want to make one. There you’ll find all kinds of supplies, from trim to sequins to beads and feathers.
127 S. Solomon St.
Brought to you in 2018 by three Muses, NOLA Craft Culture is a dream come true for costume-makers who had trouble finding specific craft supplies like micro-glitter, hot glue in different colors or fine-point glue guns. The shop is packed to the gills with feathers, sequins, rhinestones, appliqués, and lots and lots of glitter.
There are also umbrellas, confetti, 5-foot-long ropes of hot glue, and locally sourced glitter makeup and lashes. Muses shoes grace the space. What makes this women-owned and operated shop truly unique is that it aims to become a space for classes, workshops and community crafting.
Anyone who makes a purchase can also complete their projects on-site in the downstairs craft room. If you ever tried to de-glitter your home after completing a project you will understand how brilliant this is.
Uptown
3127 Magazine St.
Come Mardi Gras this resale boutique is your destination for seasonal gear like vintage ballgowns and eclectic accessories.
Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes
4204 Magazine St.
Small but mighty, Miss Claudia’s is a goldmine filled with majorette boots, funky vintage costumes, dazzling accessories, and other Mardi Gras essentials.
4326 Magazine St.
This compact yet comprehensive store offers costumes, dancewear and accessories like wigs and hats.
Are you planning to be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras? Visit FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to find your perfect historic French Quarter hotel that will put you right in the center of all of the action and within walking distance of many of the Carnival parade routes, bars, restaurants, and entertainment spots.
Also, check out our guide to the Mardi Gras Weekend, our recommendations on How to Experience New Orleans Mardi Gras Like a Local, and Parade Rules and Tips.
Happy Carnival!
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Experience New Orleans Mardi Gras Like a Local
If you’re a true Mardi Gras fan like us, you started counting down the days until Carnival as the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve. While Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday, known as Carnival season, make Mardi Gras one of the best times to experience the Big Easy.
Packed with parties, parades, king cakes galore, and fun for the entire family, Carnival season lasts more than a month and ramps up on the Thursday before Mardi Gras. If you want to be in the midst of all the action, Mardi Gras weekend is the best time to stay. So, start planning your trip now to make sure you don’t miss a thing this Mardi Gras season.
Book a New Orleans Mardi Gras Hotel
When it comes to experiencing New Orleans Mardi Gras like a local, it’s all about location. Since the majority of the action is just steps from the parade routes, the ideal New Orleans hotels are located in the French Quarter and downtown.
If you’re looking for historic French Quarter hotels that capture the timeless beauty of New Orleans and are located in the heart of Mardi Gras activities, Place d’Armes Hotel, Prince Conti Hotel, Hotel St. Marie, and French Market Inn are perfect places to stay. But you’ve got to plan ahead because the best Mardi Gras hotels book up quickly. So, make your New Orleans room reservations today to secure your spot!
Create a Mardi Gras Parade Plan
With more than 80 parades on the 2025 Mardi Gras parade schedule, you’ll want to plan ahead. There are many different types of parades, so find out about each krewe and its theme before you make your list.
Must-See New Orleans Mardi Gras Parades
- Druids and Alla on Wednesday, February 26, 2025
- Babylon, Chaos, and Muses on Thursday, February 27, 2025
- Hermes, d’Etat, and Morpheus on Friday, February 28, 2025
- Iris, Tucks and Endymion on Saturday, March 1, 2025
- Okeanos, Mid-City, Thoth, and Bacchus on Sunday, March 2, 2025
- Proteus and Orpheus on Monday, March 3, 2025
- Zulu and Rex on Tuesday, March 4, 2025
There are Mardi Gras parades that start as early as the Twelfth Night (January 6, the annual start of the Carnival season), and things pick up towards the end of January. So, you won’t have any trouble finding excitement at various locations across New Orleans during Carnival time.
French Quarter Mardi Gras Parades
- Chewbacchus on Saturday, February 1, 2025
- Krewe du Vieux on Saturday, February 15, 2025 (Note: This parade is very risque and may not be suitable for children)
- Mystic Krewe of Barkus on Sunday, February 23, 2025 (dogs!)
How to Experience Mardi Gras
Photo by David Fary on Flickr
Most people will likely be standing to see the parades, but there is an option for reserved seating. Companies offer grandstand seating on the parade route, some with amenities such as easy access to restrooms, nearby parking, food packages, and more. If you’ve never experienced Mardi Gras before, this could be a great option for you.
Many Mardi Gras goers with children and people who don’t want to or can’t stand for extended periods of time enjoy the comfort and convenience of Mardi Gras grandstand seating. You will have an excellent view of all of the Mardi Gras parades without having to lug around ladders and chairs. All you have to do is bring a “bead bag” for all of your beads and catches.
Grandstand seating is limited, so we recommend booking as soon as you’ve made your travel plans. On NewOrleansParadeTickets.com, choose between their Place St. Charles grandstand (located directly on St. Charles Avenue near Canal Street), and their Lafayette Hotel grandstand (located on the opposite side of St. Charles Avenue between Lee Circle and Poydras Street, adjacent to Lafayette Square). Either location will be great, and if you will be enjoying multiple parades, you might try switching up your location to experience different views.
More Activities to Enjoy During Mardi Gras Season
Mardi Gras parades and parties are undoubtedly the main event but remember to check out other fascinating attractions while you’re in the French Quarter this February. Take a break from catching beads and take the family to see the sights around historic Jackson Square, such as the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral.
If you want a behind-the-scenes look at the city’s culture, stop by the Basin St. Station and learn more about the different walking tours you can take, including the St. Louis Cemetery #1 Tour — one of the most popular New Orleans cemetery tours. Then, head over to Bourbon Street to visit some of the top New Orleans live music venues.
Tour the city in an open-top, double-decker bus when you hop on a City Sightseeing Tour Bus. With 18 stops along the route and a new bus arriving every 30 minutes, this is the best way to explore New Orleans. Tickets start at $46.
What to Eat and Drink During Mardi Gras
Photo by Patrick on Flickr
Beignets and Brunch
Of course, you’ll want to indulge in the world-famous beignets at Cafe Du Monde (various locations) and enjoy the one-of-a-kind Louisiana cuisine at renowned French Quarter restaurants. These sweet treats are perfect for breakfast or brunch, late-night cravings, and basically any time of the day.
Coffee and Cocktails
If you need coffee to start your day, delight your senses with a searing hot macchiato or Americano from PJ’s Coffee (501 Decatur Street).
With a selection that features several types of whiskey, cognac, tequila, mezcal, rum, gin, and more, even the most discriminating drinker is bound to find something they will love at The Bombay Club (830 Conti Street).
Po-Boys
Killer PoBoys (219 Dauphine Street and in the back of the Erin Rose Bar, 811 Conti Street) pushes the envelope with some of its unique po-boys, and if you love shrimp and breaking from the traditional, you have to try their seared Gulf shrimp po-boy that features Sriracha aioli, herbs, daikon radish, pickled carrots, and cucumbers (the menu changes).
For more ideas on where to find the best po-boys in the Quarter, read New Orleans’ Po-Boy Is a Rich Food Tradition.
King Cake
Widely considered the official dessert of Mardi Gras, this is an absolute must-try if you’re in town for Carnival.
Choose from several different types of king cake at the Bywater Bakery (3624 Dauphine Street). The flavors may change, but in the past years, there were pecan praline, cream cheese, strawberry, custard, and cinnamon apple stuffed cakes featured.
If you ask New Orleans natives and long-time transplants, a large percentage of them will count Manny Randazzo King Cakes (3515 N. Hullen Street) on the top of their list, and you would have to trek to Metairie to get your hands on these cakes and they might sell out.
More Mardi Gras
- Mardi Gras in the French Quarter
- Here are all the can’t-miss events happening on Mardi Gras weekend
- The Rules of Mardi Gras — guidelines and official laws
- How to Dress for Mardi Gras
- Traveling with kids for Mardi Gras? Read our guide to exploring the French Quarter with kids
Are you planning to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras? We’ve got a fabulous lineup of events that celebrate the Crescent City’s unique culture. Visit FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to find your perfect historic French Quarter hotel that will put you right in the center of all of the action and within walking distance of many of New Orleans’ bars, restaurants and entertainment spots.
Happy Mardi Gras!
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How to Spend Valentine’s Day in the French Quarter
This city’s sensual charms are undisputed, as New Orleans had been consistently rated as one of the most romantic cities in the world. Romance doesn’t necessarily need a special occasion, but if you happen to be here on Valentine’s Day there are few better places to be.
The French Quarter in particular has much to offer in terms of the romantic itinerary — from the scenic Mississippi River waterfront to strolling through the centuries-old district to enjoying dinner at some of the best restaurants in the country. Here are a few suggestions for what you can do in the French Quarter for Valentine’s Day.
Take a carriage ride
Time travel in comfort and see the French Quarter from a mule-drawn carriage, as one would have done a couple of centuries ago. You can book online or grab a first-come-first-serve French Quarter Mule Tour offered by Royal Carriages on Decatur right outside the Jackson Square gate, from 8 a.m. through midnight daily. One of the most popular tours covers the Quarter and St. Louis Cemetery #1. Private tours and wedding packages are also available.
Stroll the Riverfront and the French Market
You can access the mile-long Riverfront easily from the Jackson Square area. There you will find Woldenberg Park and a walkway called the Moonwalk, named after the former New Orleans mayor Maurice “Moon” Landrieu. The park is a popular spot to watch the people and the boats go by. There’s plenty of grass and benches, public art dots the space liberally, and you can enjoy street performances along the Moonwalk.
While you are at the Riverfront, you can’t miss the French Market across the street. The best way to experience it is to walk through its open-air mall, starting with the food stands and ending at Esplanade Avenue. As the oldest continually operating public market in the country since 1791, the French Market has the structure of a traditional European market. It covers roughly five blocks, from Cafe Du Monde on Decatur Street across from Jackson Square to the daily flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue.
Shop the stalls with handmade art and jewelry, t-shirts, music, and more. Sample local food and cocktails from the food stands or the nearby restaurants sprawling in every direction, or pick up pralines and a beignet mix to take home from any of the surrounding retail shops.
Take a river cruise
If you want to get off dry land, Creole Queen’s Valentine’s Day cruise offers a romantic outing on the river. The paddlewheeler’s evening cruise boards at 6 p.m. and includes an open bar, complimentary champagne, live music, and an upscale Cajun buffet. Reservations are required, and you should dress to impress.
Walk down Royal Street
The 13 blocks of Royal Street from Esplanade Avenue to Canal Street in the French Quarter present a very different scene from Bourbon Street, which runs parallel only a block away.
The stretch between St. Louis and St. Ann streets is a pedestrian mall closed to traffic during the day daily. There you’ll find eclectic art galleries, funky boutiques, upscale antique shops, live music on many a corner, and lots of street performance art.
The scenic Royal Street is not only considered one of the best destinations in the country for antique shopping, but it’s also a sight to behold for its wrought-iron balconies and other charming architectural details.
Take in Jackson Square
Don’t miss this timeless landmark located in the very heart of the French Quarter. Known since the 18th century as Place d’Armes, it was renamed in honor of Andrew Jackson following the 1815 Battle of New Orleans.
Jackson’s bronze statue is the focal point of the square, surrounded by the lavish flora and facing the Mississippi River. Jackson Square is also a host to the open-air artist market and performance space, with local art displayed along the fence. You can get your sketch done, dance to a brass band, or have your fortune told.
Overlooking Jackson Square and the block-long row of the Pontalba Buildings, St. Louis Cathedral is one of the most instantly recognizable buildings in the world, and the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States. Come inside to take in the Cathedral’s stunning interior. If you’re lucky, you may get to hear its bell or witness an occasional wedding party spilling out, followed by a second line.
Have dinner at a romantic restaurant
Few cities in the world have as many romantic restaurants as New Orleans, and you can have your pick of many stunners located in the French Quarter. Impress your date with a world-class meal in a historic setting at the trifecta of upscale Creole dining — Broussard’s, Arnaud’s or Antoine’s.
The back patio of the lovely Bayona, which is located inside a two-century-old Creole cottage on a quiet block of Dauphine Street, is as enchanting a setting as it gets. So is the candlelit Sylvain on Chartres Street, where the cocktails are top-notch and there’s a charming patio.
If you want something traditional yet sophisticated, we recommend Muriel’s Jackson Square for some excellent Creole cuisine and an unbeatable location (as the name suggests, it’s right on a corner of Jackson Square). Finally, the one and only Galatoire’s needs no explanation or additional incentive to visit.
Get a sweet treat
Don’t miss Croissant D’Or, tucked away between Royal and Chartres on Ursulines. Steeped in old-world charm, this Parisian-style patisserie has some of the best baked goods in the city. The sweet and savory croissants, and everything else you’ll find displayed in the gleaming glass case — the tarts and the tortes and the quiches — is delicious and served fresh daily from the bakery.
Finally, we can’t think of a more romantic sweet treat when in New Orleans than sharing Brennan’s “World Famous Bananas Foster.” This decadent dessert is made with bananas, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, rum, and vanilla bean ice cream. It’s traditionally flambéed tableside, and you can enjoy it with some bubbly in the restaurant’s lush courtyard.
Book Now
To enjoy Valentine’s Day in the Crescent City to the fullest, make sure to find the right hotel. Book a room at the French Market Inn, Prince Conti Hotel, Hotel St. Marie, or Place d’Armes Hotel to have the best of this historical and romantic city at your fingertips.
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New Year’s Eve in New Orleans: What to Do and Where to Stay
From fireworks to balcony bashes, here’s how to celebrate New Year’s Eve in New Orleans!
It should come as no surprise that New Orleans does New Year’s Eve quite well. Both the city and the holiday are closely tied to the celebration, public revelry, and good fellowship. But many visitors may not expect how possible it is to have an intimate, (relatively) quiet New Year’s Eve in New Orleans. Of course, there are big celebrations within the French Quarter, but even in that storied neighborhood, a night out on December 31st can be both as raucous and as chill as you please.
Note that in New Orleans, the evening of the 31st is not a guaranteed chiller. While there have been New Year’s Eves in New Orleans characterized by heavy coats and cold winds off of the Mississippi, there is a chance the weather will be temperate, and even a little muggy. The point is: Bring cold-weather clothes but don’t be surprised if you won’t need them.
Here are some of our top picks for what to do on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans.
Dick Clark Rockin’ New Year’s Eve
Every year, Dick Clark Rockin’ New Year’s Eve production hosts its official Central Time Zone party in New Orleans near the historic JAX Brewery starting at 9 p.m. The show will be coordinated with parties in New York and Los Angeles, and will feature a musical lineup and special guests. The fleur-de-lis drop-off at JAX Brewery will be live-cast.
Photo: St. Louis Cathedral by Prayitno
Jackson Square
This is the big, obvious New Year’s activity in New Orleans — our version of the Times Square ball drop (although the actual ball drop is a fleur-de-lis drop, and that event has a party all of its own, see above). Jackson Square is a historic and iconic meeting space of the city of New Orleans, and is always a linchpin for local events.
Every year, admission to the square is free, although you’ll want to show up early in the evening if you don’t want to be crowded to the edge of the square (depending on your crowd tolerance, the latter scenario may not be such a bad thing). Within Jackson Square, there will be live music and general milling about. The end-of-the-year countdown culminates in the fleur-de-lis drop, followed by the fireworks over the Mississippi River.
The kiddos can have their New Year’s Eve fun at Audubon Zoo and Louisiana Children’s Museum
For the Kids
If you’re traveling with young children and have made the reasonable conclusion that popping bottles of Moët at midnight and a child’s sleep cycle don’t mix well — but also don’t want your kids to completely miss New Year’s Eve fun — consider some of the family-friendly annual events in the Crescent City.
You could take your kids to Zoo Year’s Eve at the Audubon Zoo, which “parties” from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a Pepsi toast, costumed characters, and of course, the Audubon’s wildlife menagerie (the event is included in the price of admission).
Or you could head to the Louisiana Children’s Museum for its annual New Year’s Eve Kids’ Countdown to Noon, which lasts from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. That party typically includes noisemakers, paper bag hats, and music, all set against the backdrop of the Louisiana Children’s Museum’s considerable range of kid-friendly displays and exhibits, appropriate for children aged from 1-12.
French Quarter Balcony photo by Lee Curran
Balcony Bashes
If you’re looking for a more traditional night of French Quarter-style partying, be on the lookout for balcony bashes at area bars — located all up and down the (in)famous Bourbon Street nightlife strip. Quite a few bars host popular annual parties with premium views.
A balcony bash is pretty much that — you’ll pay a cover and be allowed to plant yourself on a wrought-iron balcony overlooking the street below. Some bashes feature all-inclusive tickets that get you extras like an open bar and food. Either way, much bead tossing subsequently ensues.
With that said, a different take on the balcony bash is a French Quarter New Year’s Eve house party. Seeing as such houses usually have balconies that afford at least a decent view of the river, this is a good chance to see the fireworks while avoiding crowds. Of course, getting yourself into a house party is all based on your charm and who you know.
Enjoy a parade during the Allstate Sugar Bowl festivities
Allstate Sugar Bowl Parade
Need something to do during the day? Since 1935, the Sugar Bowl has been played in New Orleans, and while that event has since become the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the New Year’s Eve Parade associated with the game continues in more or less the same vein. The extravaganza is done Mardi Gras-style, so expect big floats, marching bands, plenty of throws (trinkets tossed to spectators), and a general overload of glitz and pageantry.
The parade begins at the “bottom” of the Quarter, where it meets Faubourg Marigny, at the intersection of Elysian Fields Avenue and Decatur Street, at 3 p.m. The parade proceeds into the French Quarter and rolls past some of that neighborhood’s most iconic landmarks, including the French Market and Jackson Square.
Eventually, the parade passes the WDSU stage at the Allstate Fan Fest on Decatur Street inside the JAX Brewery parking lot, where all performers will do a two-minute show. The parade ends at Canal Street.
For music enthusiasts, Hall Lang Syne is sure to please
Riverboat Cruises
Want the best view of the fireworks? Paddlewheeler Creole Queen offers an opportunity to ring in the new year with a New Year’s Eve river cruise that includes champagne toasts, live music, a dinner buffet, and party favors.
Celebrate NYE at some of the oldest bars in the country
LGBTQIA+ Parties
The French Quarter includes some of the oldest dedicated gay bars in the country, and a slew of venues in the lower portions of Bourbon Street, starting at around the 800 block, will be throwing New Year’s Eve parties. Expect DJs, dancers (of the go-go variety), and drag cabaret.
If that kind of thumping nightlife experience isn’t your thing, consider an evening at one of the city’s more laid-back bars, like Mag’s 940 (940 Elysian Fields Avenue), The Friendly Bar (2301 Chartres Street) and Big Daddy’s (2513 Royal Street) — all friendly spots that will certainly be celebrating, but perhaps minus the laser show and speakers.
Photo: Crescent Park by Infrogmation of New Orleans
Crescent Park
The Crescent Park is a public green space that has become a favorite means of watching events take place on the river. Positioned as it is along the Mississippi, the park offers fantastic views of the water, which means you’ve got a clear vantage point onto the annual fireworks show.
Usually, the park closes after dark, but on New Year’s Eve, it will stay open to the public till 1 a.m. There are three entrances to the space in Bywater and Faubourg Marigny, and both of those neighborhoods are thick with venues to celebrate in after the last firework pops off.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a view of the French Quarter
Where to Sleep
We’ve given you plenty of options on how to spend New Year’s Eve in New Orleans, but let’s face it: Once the confetti has been thrown, the champagne uncorked and the noisemakers put away, you need a place to sleep (and possibly sleep in, depending on how much fun you’ve had).
With that said, you want to pick the right hotel — one that has a mix of easy accessibility and cozy amenities. If you’re celebrating near Jackson Square, consider a room at the Place d’Armes Hotel. Want to be near the action on Bourbon Street? Try the Hotel St. Marie. Or position yourself near the river at the historic French Market Inn. Finally, the Prince Conti Hotel is a great choice if you would like to be close to Canal Street and within walking distance of several streetcar lines.
Enjoy your New Year’s Eve and Happy New Year!
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NOLA ChristmasFest
Photo courtesy of NOLA ChristmasFest on Facebook
There’s no shortage of unique opportunities this December to experience the holiday spirit, New Orleans style. We can’t promise snow, but the city will dazzle and enchant — as it does every year — with thousands of twinkling lights, themed displays, caroling, holiday concerts, special events for kids, and the decadent, traditional Reveillon dinners.
One of those unique opportunities to immerse yourself in wintery activities is the popular and family-friendly festival that celebrates all things Christmas. The annual NOLA ChristmasFest is the only indoor Christmas festival in the area. It takes place at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, kicking off on Friday, December 20, and wrapping on Monday, December 30, 2024.
The Convention Center Boulevard will be draped and dripping in holiday decorations and thousands of lights synced to holiday music, and NOLA ChristmasFest is packed with attractions and events, spread over its 300,000 square feet. The fest will once again feature a display of dozens of Christmas trees, face painting, ice slides, carnival rides, ice skating lessons, and much more (here’s the list of attractions this year). Also, check out height restrictions for some of the rides. Parents can take respite in the “adult lounge” (21 or over to enter) overlooking the ice rink.
The focal point of the festival is the New Orleans’ only, 52×140-foot ice-skating rink. Skate rentals are included in the admission price, but you’re also welcome to bring your own skates. Socks are required. Helmets are not required but are encouraged, especially if you have small kids.
The inflatables area is staffed with friendly elves (who will help supervise the kids). Holiday characters will be strolling by, and you’re welcome to take pictures with them. You can also take professional photos with Santa and his North Pole friends for an extra fee. Food will be available for purchase at the concession stands, plus wine, beer, and special holiday-themed cocktails.
Food and drink, face paintings, photos with Santa, and parking are not included in the ticket price. Kids aged two and under are admitted for free. The event is cashless. Tickets are $25 on weekdays and $30 on Saturday and Sunday (plus ticketing fees). Tickets are non-refundable and good for a single admission at the specific timeframe and the specific day you choose (this means timed entry on a specific day — it’s a popular event).
Parking is available in Lots F/G directly across from Hall I, for a $23 flat fee per day per car. You can pre-pay for parking here.
Coming to New Orleans for the holidays? Be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels!
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What to Expect at the 2024 Bayou Classic
Photo courtesy of Bayou Classic on Facebook
With Thanksgiving upon us, summer weather is truly over, and the fall schedule is packed with fun activities you can only find in New Orleans. One of those events is Bayou Classic, traditionally held during the Thanksgiving week.
Each November the Bayou Classic draws the fans and alumni of Southern University and Grambling State University to New Orleans to partake in one of the country’s greatest college sports rivalries. This year marks the 51st annual event, which has become much more than a football game, drawing more than 200,000 visitors to New Orleans.
The event stretches for two days and includes a fan fest, a parade, the Battle of the Bands, and, of course, the big game. The game kicks off on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 1 p.m., at the Superdome (you can get tickets online or at the gate).
Photo courtesy of Bayou Classic on Facebook
The Battle of the Bands between the Grambling “Marching Tigers” and the Southern “Human Jukebox” on Friday, November 29, at 6 p.m., promises to be amazing (tickets). The Fan Fest is held on Saturday before the game at Champions Square.
The same two marching bands will lead the Annual Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade, also on Saturday, starting at 3 p.m., from the Superdome, and ending at Poydras and Loyola streets in downtown New Orleans. The parade will have the elements of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, floats, military units, and more. In other words, expect a great show.
Where to stay
To enjoy the best of the Bayou Classic in the Crescent City, make sure to find the right hotel in New Orleans. French Quarter is an ideal option for this event due to its proximity to the Superdome where the big game will be held. Also, the parade on Saturday is a short distance away, so you can get a front-row view of this amazing extravaganza.
And, since it will be Thanksgiving weekend, you can enjoy fine meals here on actual turkey day, or any day of the weekend, before heading to the Superdome. Walk around the French Quarter to check out the beginning of the Christmas light displays that deck out this historic neighborhood, and indulge in a wide range of boutiques and galleries on Small Business Saturday.
To enjoy the best of Thanksgiving in the Crescent City, make sure to find the right hotel in New Orleans. Book a room at the French Market Inn, Prince Conti Hotel, Hotel St. Marie, Place d’Armes Hotel, or Alder Hotel to have the best of this historical city at your fingertips.
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The Ultimate French Quarter Guide to Christmas in New Orleans
During the holiday season in New Orleans, the city’s predilection for spectacle goes into overdrive. Here are some of the sights and shows that make for an unforgettable December visit, plus our picks on where to eat, including some of the best Reveillon dinners going on in the city.
Photo courtesy of JAMNOLA
What to See
Christmas Eve Bonfires — On December 24 every year, bonfires will illuminate the levees on the opposite side of the Mississippi River. This is a Christmas tradition that likely dates back centuries; for more information on where to find the bonfires, contact your hotel concierge.
Holiday Concerts at St. Augustine Church — One of the city’s oldest African American churches, located in the heart of the historic Tremé neighborhood, the gorgeous St. Augustine Church will host a few holiday concerts throughout the month of December. Feel the spirit at this intimate congregation, and enjoy music in the fantastic interior of this cornerstone of local heritage.
‘Tis also the season for JAMNOLA! (The “JAM” part stands for “joy,” “art,” and “music.”) This December is your last chance to experience New Orleans’ cultural funhouse on Royal Street (2832 Royal Street in the Marigny, just a 15-minute walk from the French Quarter) before the brand new JAMNOLA Frenchmen experience debuts in January. Explore original exhibits that celebrate the city’s iconic music, food, and theatrics through the eyes of over 30 local artists. There are currently 17 exhibits, including larger-than-life crawfish (pictured above) and a bling bayou with a golden gator. For the holidays, there will also be a limited edition Jingle Jam holiday photo op. Ticket prices start at $32 for adults (13+) and $24 for kids (3-12). Kids under 3 are free.
Krewe of Krampus — Do you have a thing for the scary monster creatures from the Central European forests? Of course you do. Then you might want to check out the Krewe of Krampus parade through the Bywater (on Saturday, December 7, 2024). The parade starts at 7:30 p.m., and Krampus and his army of mischief will be handing out lumps of coal and, most likely, behaving badly. New Orleans loves its counterculture holiday traditions!
Running of the Santas — This annual event brings a pack of St. Nicholi (that’s a word, right?) to the Warehouse District, running from the “South Pole” (Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar) to the “North Pole” (Generations Hall). The boozy run is followed by the open bar and costume contest at Generations Hall. This year, the event falls on Saturday, December 14, 2024 (2-11:30 p.m.). The event is 21+; you can get your tickets here.
St. Louis Cathedral Concerts — Throughout the month, some of the city’s greatest musicians, representing genres as varied as jazz, indie folk, zydeco, and gospel, put on shows in St. Louis Cathedral, situated in the heart of Jackson Square. These free holiday concerts are open to the public and generally last for about an hour.
Photo courtesy of New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Facebook
What to Do
The holidays are a busy time of year anywhere, but in New Orleans, our events calendar becomes particularly packed with festive things.
Walk the French Quarter — The holiday light displays in the French Quarter are nothing short of magical. We recommend strolling Royal Street and Chartres Street for the best lights. It gets dark by 6 p.m., which is a perfect time to take in a brisk walk and a good dinner.
Explore New Orleans residential architecture — It’s always fun to explore the different architectural styles of New Orleans’ many historical and heritage residences. It’s even more fun to do so when those houses are decked out in all of their December finery. As such, try not to miss out on the annual Holiday Home Tour, conducted by the Preservation Resource Center. The tours will be held the weekend of December 14-15, 2024 (tickets).
Ice skating — From Friday, December 20, through Monday, December 30, 2024, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will be decked out with a million Christmas lights for NOLA Christmasfest, which will host an ice skating rink. We don’t often get to strap on skates in New Orleans, so expect to see a ton of locals sliding, slipping, and maybe even showing off some considerable skills on the all-too-rare ice. Get your tickets online early, it’s a popular event!
Jackson Square caroling — Every year, the Patio Planters organization pulls together a choral extravaganza in Jackson Square. Hundreds of candles illuminate the square as the annual caroling event renews itself. Song sheets and candles will be provided; the gates open at 6:30 p.m. and singing starts at 7 p.m., but we highly suggest you arrive early, as this is a very popular event (held on Sunday, December 22, 2024, this year).
What to Eat
If you are not a purist and are OK with eating King Cake before Mardi Gras season kicks off on January 6 each year, the Christmas King Cake is, truly, a brilliant invention, and the one that gives us King Cake in the season before Carnival. Because folks, you can never get enough King Cake. You can find Christmas King Cake at any local grocery or convenience store.
Derived from the French word for “awakening,” Reveillon originally was a meal served after midnight mass on Christmas Eve in Creole households. Today, the tradition has been refashioned into elaborate set-course meals served at some of the city’s finest eating establishments.
Some of the best Reveillon prix fixe dinners going on in the city include:
- Arnaud’s (813 Bienville Street)
- Bayona (430 Dauphine Street)
- Broussard’s (819 Conti Street)
- The Court of Two Sisters (613 Royal Street)
- Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse (716 Iberville Street)
- Gabrielle Restaurant (2441 Orleans Avenue)
- Galatoire’s (209 Bourbon Street)
- Luke (333 St Charles Avenue)
- Muriel’s Jackson Square (801 Chartres Street)
- Palace Café (605 Canal Street)
- Rib Room (621 St. Louis Street)
- Sylvain (625 Chartres Street)
- Tujague’s (429 Decatur Street)
What to Drink
If you’re visiting from up north, you may be a little bemused by how much New Orleanians bundle up on a “cold” 60-degree day, but hey, the experience of the weather is relative. What should be recognized as a universally good thing is liquid ways of warming up during the New Orleans winter.
If you need a pick-me-up that also happens to act as an internal hot blanket, pick up a steaming café au lait from Envie Espresso Bar & Cafe, which makes some of the finest coffee in the French Quarter. If you need a pick-me-up that will set you off in a not-quite-caffeinated but still pretty fun fashion, opt for a hot cocktail. New Orleanians tend to love traditional holiday drinks like mulled wine and hot buttered rum (the local version of the latter drink is always made with particular decadence).
Each year local bartenders create special holiday sippers to celebrate Reveillon on the Rocks. You can read about our favorite choices as we update them each year here. Good seasonal cocktails will also be on the menu at many of the area’s best cocktail bars, including Bar Tonique and Cane & Table, but even at casual Quarter dives, you’ll likely be able to score a nice frothy glass of “strong” eggnog — maybe not a hot drink per se, but sure to warm you up nonetheless.
Rudolph is great and all, but in South Louisiana, Christmas really calls for an alligator. Gaston the Gator joins Papa Noel for Cajun Holiday Tea with Papa Noel on the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen family-friendly outing. There’s holiday tea, face painting, costumed characters, and magic. This year, two cruises will be available, starting at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
The most decadent after-dinner drink in New Orleans — if not in the world, honestly — is café brûlot, a ridiculous concoction assembled from dark coffee, orange peel, lemon peel, cognac, brandy, cloves, cinnamon, sugar, and big old fireball. We’re not kidding: Café brûlot is made tableside by knowledgeable wait staff who put on what is frankly one of the great performances of gastronomic theater.
The end result is a citrusy, pleasantly spicy, very strong coffee drink that paradoxically works to knock you out and lift your spirits. It’s not necessarily a Christmas cocktail, but the flavor and look of the drink is très yuletide. You can find this drink at old-line restaurants like Antoine’s, Arnaud’s, and Galatoire’s.
Photo courtesy of Trashy Diva
Where to Shop
If you’re looking for unique gifts, the French Quarter is full of small shops and boutiques that simply cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Start at the French Market where you will find over six blocks of shopping with a wide assortment of gifts including spices, candy, cookbooks, one-of-a-kind art, fashion accessories, and home decor items.
Stroll down Royal Street, particularly the pedestrian mall part, to find the right souvenir or keepsake for a loved one. Royal Street (and to a somewhat lesser degree, Chartres Street) is filled with art galleries and antique stores, each business curated by creative professionals who impart their unique aesthetic vision onto their goods.
Need a wig? Hey, we all need wigs, but we particularly need fabulously crafted wigs that represent the individual tastes of their creators and eventual owners — which is why we get the best wigs, and all sorts of other forms of beautiful accouterment, at Fifi Mahony’s.
Retro dresses and vintage wear from the ‘40s and ‘50s are pretty much a fashion lock, and if you agree — c’mon, you know you’d look right in that belted polka dot number — head to Trashy Diva, where fearless female fashion is the stock in trade.
Also, check out the annual holiday Piety Market at Hotel Peter & Paul (2013 Burgundy Street). This market regularly attracts some of the city’s most creative artists and theater veterans, who come together to provide an utterly unique showcase of bohemian bric-a-brac. Typically, this market is held every third Sunday of the month, but during the holidays another date might be added. Check the market’s Instagram page for updates.
Photo courtesy of Prince Conti Hotel
Where to Stay
During the holidays in New Orleans, many of the city’s Christmas festivities understandably revolve around the French Quarter. As such, if you want to be close to the holiday spirit, it makes sense to book accommodation where the best of the Quarter is at your fingertips.
The French Market Inn is positioned on Decatur Street, just blocks from Jackson Square, the lively upper end of Bourbon Street, and the busy thoroughfare that is Canal Street. Hotel St. Marie, on Toulouse Street, is located in the heart of the French Quarter right around the corner from some of the busiest blocks of Bourbon Street.
Between Dauphine and Bourbon streets, the Prince Conti Hotel is positioned just a few blocks from the beginning of the Royal Street pedestrian area, an area that’s brilliant for slow strolling and shopping. And just around the corner from Jackson Square, Place d’Armes has easy access to both the nightlife of Bourbon Street and the galleries and shops of Royal and Chartres streets.
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Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Photo courtesy of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation on Facebook
New Orleans and her fans know that few combinations are more satisfying than gumbo, brass bands and cooler temps, and that’s what the annual Tremé Creole Gumbo festival serves up best, keeping it thematically simple but stellar in terms of its lineup of brass bands and food vendors.
The free festival returns to celebrate a decade of existence at Louis Armstrong Park (701 N. Rampart St.) on Saturday and Sunday, November 9-10, 2024. As in past years, the festival will show off New Orleans’ staple stew in all its savory varieties (sample-size portions will be available), from gumbo z’herbes and dark roux to vegan-friendly versions. Of course, there will be traditional gumbo — seafood, chicken and andouille, filé — and so on.
The Creole Gumbo Festival is touted as the “New Orleans’ Premier Brass Band Showcase” for a good reason. The world-famous, Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band along with the many of the local favorites, including the Hot 8, the Pinettes, and the Tremé brass bands, have all performed at the festival in the past. Also, as in the past years, there will be a kids’ area and an art market.
Armstrong Park is located along the RTA bus route 91 (Jackson-Esplanade), and the Rampart-St. Claude streetcar line, so using public transportation to get to the festival should be easy. If you’re driving to the fest, you can park in the parking lots of the Mahalia Jackson Theatre (enter via Basin Street). Additional parking is available in the lot across from Basin Street Station (501 Basin St.).
No pets and no recording are allowed, but you’re welcome to bring blankets and chairs. Check the festival’s website for updates on this year’s food and art vendor and music lineups.
Are You Eating Enough Gumbo?!
“First you make a roux…” Gumbo is synonymous with New Orleans, and everyone and their mama (especially their mama) will offer an opinion on how to make the best gumbo and who makes it best in the city (it’s usually the mama).
Luckily for us, many places in New Orleans make great gumbo. Anyone who lives here or visits can easily rattle off at least a few spots, high and low, where the gumbo is award-winning, and so special and delicious that trying it for the first time could go down forever as a life-changing experience.
Keeping in mind that every “Top Whatever Number of Best Gumbo in New Orleans” will always remain highly personal and incomplete, here are our current picks for best gumbo in the French Quarter.
Are you coming to New Orleans this fall? We’re jam-packed with festivals and celebrations, and the temps are perfectly mild! Browse our top recommendations for historic hotels in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to find your perfect spot.
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Beignet Fest Returns in 2024
Almost any identifiably New Orleans menu item has a corresponding festival, but up until a few years ago, one of the city’s most iconic culinary treats was left without its own party. We’re referring to the beignet: little fried pockets of doughy goodness ideally dusted with alpine levels of powdered sugar.
Well, the beignet — the official state donut of Louisiana, if you were wondering — is no longer going without its own celebration thanks to the annual Beignet Festival, which returns on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
The daylong party will take place at the Festival Grounds in City Park (4 Friedrichs Ave.) and admission is $20 for adults and children under 12 with a paid adult are free. You can get tickets online, and there are also VIP and special pricing for krewe members. Feel free to bring (along with your appetite, of course) blankets and chairs, and don’t forget sunscreen and maybe a hat as the Festival Grounds doesn’t offer a lot of shade.
As you may expect, there’s going to be a whole lot of delicious sweetness going on (and a fair bit of savory too). The festival benefits the Beignet Fest Foundation, which funds programs and services for families impacted by autism. Beignet Festival founders Amy and Sherwood Collins created the foundation, and it uses the proceeds from the festival to create grants.
From traditional sweet treats swimming in powdered sugar to savory options bursting with seafood and cheese, Beignet Fest will feature dozens of beignet dishes from some of New Orleans’ best restaurants and food trucks. Like most New Orleans festivals, the festival also features live music, a kid’s village, and an artist’s market. There’s also a beer garden! This year, the fest features a robust music lineup, including Amanda Shaw, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and more.
The fest offers more than just sweet donuts, of course. The past year’s favorite, The Ruby Slipper Cafe, for example, had been offering cochon beignets smothered in pork debris (gravy), and bananas Foster beignets along with Vietnamese coffee beignets.
Katie’s Restaurant has been doling out its delicious and generously sized crawfish beignets, while Loretta’s Authentic Pralines featured BBQ chicken beignets and crabmeat beignets stuffed with lump crab meat (voted the Best Overall Beignet in the past). Fear not, however, Loretta’s always brings its famous praline and chocolate praline beignets to the fest as well.
Oreo beignets from Luca Eats were the “Best Sweet Beignet” winners for two years in a row, while bacon and cheddar beignet from Howlin’ Wolf Den was one of the past winners in the “Best Savory Beignet” category.
There will be vegan and gluten-free beignets to accommodate every diet, and awards will be given in four categories once again: the “Best Sweet Beignet,” “Best Savory Beignet,” “Most Original Beignet,” and “Crowd Favorite Beignet.” Don’t forget to vote for your pick!
This year, expect 22 vendors and food trucks, from the returning favorites like Cafe Beignet, Loretta’s Authentic Pralines, and Ruby Slipper, to PJs Coffee and Valerie’s Snoballs.
You can park along perimeter streets and anywhere in the park that isn’t labeled “No Parking.” Blue Bikes will have a docking area located near the main entrance to the Festival Grounds if you’re considering biking. You can also hop on the Canal St. streetcar line. Get off at the end of Esplanade Ave. and Carrollton Ave., and follow the signage leading you to the entrance of the Festival Grounds. There will be additional pay-to-park options at Deutsches Haus (1700 Moss St.).
The festival is rain or shine, and no pets, please.
For more information, visit BeignetFest.com or Beignet Fest on Facebook and Instagram at @BeignetFest.
Need somewhere to stay during your visit? Book a stay at a historic French Quarter boutique hotel at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels!
