If you’re looking for the complete Mardi Gras parade schedule in New Orleans for 2026, you’re in the right place. Below is a full list of New Orleans Mardi Gras parades broken up by date and then by area of town, including Uptown New Orleans, the French Quarter, Mid-City, Marigny, New Orleans East, and the West Bank.
Mardi Gras is one of the biggest annual events in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the parade lineup is the heart of Carnival season. Whether you want classic Uptown parade routes on St. Charles Avenue, walking krewes in the French Quarter, or big super-krewes rolling through Mid-City, this New Orleans parade schedule helps you plan the best days to go.
Mardi Gras Day is Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
The biggest parade day in New Orleans is usually headlined by Zulu and Rex, and it’s also when many visitors plan their trip to experience peak Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
January 6, 12th Night – Phunny Phorty Phellows
Mardi Gras officaly kicks off with the street car run of the Phunny Phorty Phellows. They start at Carrilton Station and make thier way around nola on the street car, stoppoing to hand out beads. It’s low key cool way for the locals to get things started.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
French Quarter / Downtown New Orleans
- Krewe Mosaique — 6:00 PM
These early-season Mardi Gras walking parades are a great way to experience New Orleans culture without the massive crowds that happen closer to Mardi Gras Day. You’ll get the energy of Carnival season with more room to explore the French Quarter.
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Marigny / Downtown New Orleans
- Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus — 7:00 PM
Chewbacchus is one of the most unique Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans — packed with creative costumes, sci-fi themes, and a strong local vibe. If you want a true “only in New Orleans” Carnival experience, this is a must.
Friday, January 30, 2026
French Quarter / Downtown New Orleans
- Krewe Bohème — 7:00 PM
Saturday, January 31, 2026
French Quarter / Downtown New Orleans
- Krewe du Vieux — 6:30 PM
- krewedelusion — follows
Krewe du Vieux is legendary in New Orleans Mardi Gras for its satire and creative handmade floats. If you’re staying in the French Quarter or Downtown New Orleans, this weekend is one of the easiest ways to experience Mardi Gras parades without traveling to Uptown.
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Marigny / Downtown New Orleans
- ’tit Rəx — 4:30 PM
New Orleans East
- Krewe of Nefertiti — 1:00 PM
One of the best parts of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is that it’s not limited to one neighborhood — you’ll find celebrations across the city, including areas like New Orleans East, where local parades bring their own style and traditions.
Friday, February 6, 2026
French Quarter / Downtown New Orleans
- Krewe of Cork — 3:00 PM
Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles Route)
- Krewe of Oshun — 5:30 PM
- Krewe of Cleopatra — follows
Uptown parades along the St. Charles route are the “classic” New Orleans Mardi Gras experience — big floats, marching bands, throws, and huge crowds. This is where the parade season starts to feel like peak Carnival.
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles Route)
- Krewe of Pontchartrain — 11:30 AM
- Legion of Mars — follows
- Krewe of Choctaw — follows
- Krewe of Freret — follows
- Knights of Sparta / Spartan Society — 5:30 PM
- Krewe of Pygmalion — 6:15 PM
This is one of the busiest parade days in Uptown New Orleans — a great day to grab a spot along St. Charles Avenue early and make the most of the full parade lineup.
Sunday, February 8, 2026
French Quarter / Downtown New Orleans
- Krewe of Barkus — 2:00 PM
Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles Route)
- Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale — 11:00 AM
- Krewe of Carrollton — 12:30 PM
- Knights of King Arthur — 1:00 PM
This weekend gives you two different Mardi Gras experiences: the fun walking parade energy of the French Quarter, and the traditional float parades of Uptown New Orleans.
Monday, February 9, 2026
West Bank
- Mystic Krewe of Music — 6:00 PM
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Uptown New Orleans
- Krewe of Druids — 6:15 PM
- Krewe of Alla — follows
West Bank
- Krewe of Nandi — 6:00 PM
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles Route)
- Knights of Chaos — 4:30 PM
- Knights of Babylon — 5:30 PM
- Krewe of Muses — 6:00 PM
Muses is one of the most popular parades in New Orleans and draws big crowds. If you’re planning a Mardi Gras trip, this is a “prime time” night parade in Uptown.
Friday, February 13, 2026
French Quarter / Downtown New Orleans
- Krewe of Bosom Buddies — 11:30 AM
Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles Route)
- Krewe of Hermes — 5:30 PM
- Krewe d’État — 6:30 PM
- Krewe of Morpheus — follows
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles Route)
- Krewe of Iris — 11:00 AM
- Krewe of Tucks — 12:00 PM
Mid-City
- Krewe of Endymion — 4:00 PM
West Bank
- Krewe of NOMTOC — 10:45 AM
This is a huge weekend for New Orleans Mardi Gras. Uptown is packed during Iris and Tucks, and then Mid-City turns into a major destination for Endymion — one of the biggest parades of the entire season.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles Route)
- Krewe of Okeanos — 11:00 AM
- Krewe of Mid-City — follows
- Krewe of Thoth — 12:00 PM
- Krewe of Bacchus — 5:15 PM
This is another top-tier day for Uptown parades — especially Bacchus, which is one of the largest and most famous Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans.
Monday, February 16, 2026 (Lundi Gras)
Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles Route)
- Krewe of Proteus — 5:15 PM
- Krewe of Orpheus — 6:00 PM
Lundi Gras is an awesome night to experience Carnival in New Orleans right before Mardi Gras Day. The crowds are big, the energy is high, and it’s one of the best nights to be in Uptown.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (Mardi Gras Day)
Uptown New Orleans / Downtown
- Krewe of Zulu — 8:00 AM
- Krewe of Rex — 10:30 AM
- Krewe of Elks Orleans — follows Rex
- Krewe of Crescent City — follows
Mardi Gras Day is the grand finale of New Orleans Carnival season. If you’ve never done Mardi Gras in New Orleans before, this is the day to go — it’s iconic, historic, and unlike anything else in the United States.
FRENCH QUARTER
No Parades per sa, but it’s one big party in the FQ on Mardi Gras Day
Outlying Mardi Gras parades near New Orleans are a great option for visitors who want the Carnival experience without the biggest crowds in Uptown and the French Quarter. Areas like Metairie (Jefferson Parish), the Northshore (Slidell, Covington, Mandeville), and the Houma/Thibodaux region host major parades with floats, marching bands, and throws. If you’re staying in New Orleans but want to explore more of Louisiana during Carnival season, these nearby parade routes are some of the best day-trip options for Mardi Gras 2026.
Outlying Mardi Gras Parade Schedule 2026 (Near New Orleans)
St. Tammany Parish / Northshore
Covington: 1/10/2026 — Krewe of Majestic (11:00 AM), Fools of Misrule (4:00 PM)
Mandeville: 1/10/2026 — Mande Kings Day (3:00 PM)
Slidell: 1/30/2026 — Krewe of Titans (6:30 PM)
Jefferson Parish (Metairie / Kenner / West Bank)
Jefferson Parish area: (Metairie + West Bank parades) — official 2026 schedule posted here
- Metairie: 2/15/2026 — Krewe of Athena (6:00 PM)
- Metairie: 2/16/2026 — Krewe of Centurions (6:00 PM), Krewe of Atlas (follows)
Terrebonne + Lafourche Parishes (Houma / Thibodaux region)
Houma / Thibodaux area parades are extremely popular and have a full official 2026 list.
Houma: 2/6/2026 — Krewe of Hercules (6:00 PM)
Chauvin: 2/7/2026 — Krewe of Tee Caillou (12:00 PM)
Houma: 2/7/2026 — Krewe of Aquarius (6:30 PM)
Houma: 2/8/2026 — Krewe of Hyacinthians (12:30 PM), Krewe of Titans (follows)
