Mardi Gras 2027 in New Orleans: Dates, Parade Schedule & New Carnival Rules

Mardi Gras 2027 takes place on Tuesday, February 9, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Carnival season begins on January 6, but the celebrations build gradually through January before reaching their busiest stretch from February 3 to February 9.

There is an important update for visitors planning a trip in 2027. In July 2026, the New Orleans City Council adopted changes to Carnival regulations covering float riders, parade throws and parade operations. These rules will affect the way participating krewes organise their celebrations.

The 2027 parade calendar is also developing. Some parade dates and tentative start times are already listed, but New Orleans & Company says final parade routes are still forthcoming. That distinction matters when booking accommodation or choosing a viewing location.

This guide covers the confirmed Mardi Gras 2027 date, selected parade listings, the latest Carnival rule changes and practical information to help you plan your New Orleans visit.

Information checked: November 2, 2026. Parade times, routes and local arrangements may change.

Mardi Gras 2027: Key Dates

The date of Mardi Gras changes every year because it is connected to Easter. In New Orleans, Mardi Gras Day falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, 47 days before Easter Sunday.

For 2027, the date is officially listed as February 9 by New Orleans & Company.

When Is Mardi Gras 2027 in New Orleans?

Mardi Gras 2027 falls on February 9, 2027. However, visitors should not plan their entire trip around Fat Tuesday alone.

Carnival begins on Twelfth Night, January 6. Parades and community celebrations take place on selected days throughout January, followed by a concentrated run of major parades during the final week.

New Orleans & Company lists February 3–9 as the period when parades take place every night. This gives visitors several opportunities to experience the Carnival season before Mardi Gras Day itself.

For someone visiting New Orleans for the first time, the difference between the full Carnival season and Fat Tuesday is worth understanding: January offers early-season parades, while the final week brings a much denser programme of major processions.

Mardi Gras 2027 Parade Schedule: Selected New Orleans Events

The current 2027 calendar contains events from Twelfth Night through Fat Tuesday. The following tables focus on selected parades taking place within New Orleans. They do not cover every event in the wider metropolitan area, where nearby communities such as Metairie, Slidell, Covington and Mandeville also hold Carnival celebrations.

Schedule status: The dates and start times below are taken from the currently published tentative listings on Mardi Gras New Orleans. The page says its schedule is based on each parade’s traditional day to roll and that events may change. New Orleans & Company’s official visitor schedule also says final 2027 routes are forthcoming.

January 2027: Early-season parades

These listings give visitors a useful overview of the early Carnival calendar. They also show that January celebrations are spread across different parts of the city rather than being concentrated in one parade district.

February 3–9: Main Mardi Gras parade week

The final week is the most concentrated period in the 2027 calendar. Several major krewes are scheduled to roll on consecutive days.

The times are listed as tentative, not guaranteed arrival times at every point along a parade route. Some krewes are listed as following another procession, so the schedule does not provide a separate start time for every entry.

Before travelling, check the latest parade calendar and the New Orleans & Company schedule. Use the individual krewe listings for their route information, then recheck the city’s final route announcements.

What Has Changed for Mardi Gras 2027? New Carnival Regulations

One of the most important developments for the 2027 season is the New Orleans City Council’s amended Carnival ordinance.

The Council adopted Calendar No. 35,491, as amended, on July 23, 2026. The measure updates parts of the city code covering Carnival regulation, parade permits, float operations, prohibited items and penalties.

The changes are aimed mainly at parade organisations and float riders, but they also matter to spectators who want to understand how the processions will operate.

Float riders must wear safety harnesses

A major change requires parade riders to wear safety harnesses. Councilmember JP Morrell’s July 2026 legislative update specifically identifies the harness requirement.

New Orleans CityBusiness also reported that float riders must keep both feet on their floats while participating in parades. These are requirements for participants on floats, not equipment that spectators need to bring.

Restrictions on glass and smoking on floats

The City Council’s legislative record says the amended ordinance prohibits glass and smoking on floats, along with glass throws.

The Councilmember’s legislative update clarifies that the traditional glass Mardi Gras beads are an exception to the glass-throw restriction.

This is different from saying that spectators can bring glass containers to parade routes. Visitors should follow the city’s separate rules for public viewing areas.

A weight limit for parade throws

FOX 8 reported that the amended ordinance limits parade throws to a maximum of 3.5 pounds per item.

The purpose of the restriction is to reduce the risk of heavy objects injuring people in the crowd. It is a rule for what can be distributed from floats, rather than a limit on the number of throws a spectator can receive.

Marching bands and parade operations

The updated rules also affect how marching bands operate during processions. Local reporting says bands are restricted from stopping to perform at will while a parade is moving.

City officials described the change as a safety and logistics measure. Long stops can create gaps between parade units, which may affect the flow of the procession.

Stronger enforcement of parade rules

The Council’s legislative record also describes increased fines and criminal penalties for certain Carnival-rule violations.

For visitors, the practical message is to check the current city guidance before bringing equipment to a parade route. Rules that applied to one type of activity or setup in a previous season should not be assumed to apply unchanged in 2027.

Read the New Orleans City Council legislative record, the Councilmember’s July 2026 update and FOX 8’s report on the new Carnival safety regulations.

Mardi Gras Parade Route Rules: What Visitors Need to Know

The city’s public parade-route rules are separate from the float-rider regulations. They cover how spectators can use public space and what they can bring to the route.

These are especially important for people planning to arrive early with chairs, ladders or other viewing equipment.

When can you set up chairs and ladders?

New Orleans says personal items must not be placed on public rights-of-way earlier than four hours before the start of a parade. Items placed earlier may be removed by the city, and they must not block intersections.

The current city guidance also states:

• Ladders must be structurally sound and no taller than six feet.
• Ladders must be freestanding.
• They must be placed at least six feet back from the street curb.
• Ladders must not be tied or fastened together.
• Ladders must not be left overnight along curbs, sidewalks or neutral grounds.

The neutral ground is the local term for the median strip between opposing lanes of a street.

Which items are prohibited along parade routes?

The city’s current guidance prohibits or restricts several items and setups, including:

• Open flames and gas or diesel generators.
• Tents, canopies, screens, ropes and other enclosures used to block off public space.
• Upholstered furniture, scaffolding and viewing platforms.
• Confetti guns and Mylar balloons.
• Unattended coolers.
• Pets on parade routes, except service animals.
• Firearms and other weapons.

Portable restrooms placed on public property require written permission from the Department of Safety and Permits.

These rules are listed in the City of New Orleans’ official parade-route guidance. Check it again before your visit in case the city issues additional 2027 instructions.

Do not throw beads back at float riders

Another rule visitors should know is the prohibition on “throwbacks.” This means throwing beads or other items back at riders on floats.

The City of New Orleans states that a person who violates this rule can be fined $250 per violation.

The city also advises spectators not to enter the street to retrieve beads or other throws that land close to moving floats. Stay behind designated barricades, do not cross between floats and keep clear of sanitation crews after a parade.

Read the city’s Mardi Gras safety and first-aid guidance before attending.

Where to Watch Mardi Gras 2027 Parades in New Orleans

There is no single viewing area that works for every parade. New Orleans celebrations take place across several neighbourhoods, and the best location depends on the specific krewe you want to see.

Uptown and St. Charles Avenue

Uptown is a major part of the final-week parade calendar. The current listings place several major parades here, including Iris, Tucks, Bacchus, Proteus, Orpheus, Zulu and Rex.

St. Charles Avenue is part of the traditional Uptown parade corridor. It is a useful area to consider if your trip is focused on the major processions.

However, do not book a hotel or choose a viewing spot based only on the neighbourhood name. Check the individual krewe route before making a decision.

Mid-City

Mid-City is particularly relevant on Saturday, February 6, when the tentative calendar lists Krewe of Endymion at 4:00 PM.

If Endymion is one of your main priorities, plan the day’s transport around its route instead of assuming an Uptown viewing location will be convenient.

French Quarter

The French Quarter features several early-season parades and walking events. The current listings include Société Des Champs Elysée and Joan of Arc on January 6, Krewe Mosaique on January 9, Krewe Bohème on January 22 and Krewe du Vieux on January 23.

It is also a major visitor area during Carnival. However, the French Quarter’s nightlife streets should not be confused with the routes followed by every major float parade.

Marigny

The Marigny area appears in the early-season schedule for events such as the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus on January 16 and ‘tit Rex on January 24.

Checking these individual event listings is particularly useful if you want to experience smaller or more specialised Carnival organisations rather than focusing only on the largest processions.

How to Plan Your Mardi Gras 2027 Visit

Your arrival date should depend on which part of Carnival you want to experience.

For an early-season visit: January 16–31

An earlier visit can work well for travellers interested in neighbourhood parades and smaller Carnival organisations.

The current calendar includes Chewbacchus in Marigny on January 16, Krewe du Vieux in the French Quarter on January 23, ‘tit Rex on January 24 and several Uptown parades on January 30.

New Orleans & Company recommends considering early-season celebrations for visitors who want to experience Carnival before the final-week crowds.

For the major parade run: February 3–9

The final week is the most concentrated period in the calendar. The schedule has parades every night, giving visitors more opportunities to choose between different krewes and viewing areas.

A longer stay during this period also provides more flexibility if a parade time or route changes.

For a short weekend visit: February 6–9

A trip around the final weekend can include several of the season’s major processions:

• Saturday, February 6: Iris, Tucks and Endymion.
• Sunday, February 7: Okeanos, Mid-City, Thoth and Bacchus.
• Monday, February 8: Proteus and Orpheus.
• Tuesday, February 9: Zulu and Rex, followed by other listed parades.

This is a concentrated schedule. It is also a period when you should expect heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, so plan your viewing points before setting out.

How to Track Mardi Gras 2027 Parades

A published calendar helps you choose a date, but it does not necessarily tell you where a parade is at a particular moment.

The City of New Orleans provides a parade information tool called Routewise.

The city says Routewise can help visitors find:

• Parade tracking information.
• Public restrooms.
• First-aid stations.
• Lost-child stations.
• Recycling hubs along parade routes.

Not every event is necessarily tracked live. Routewise explains that GPS tracking is available when an event is being tracked by NOPD using GPS devices. Large parades are generally more likely to appear than smaller walking events.

Use Routewise on parade days and check the city’s Mardi Gras information page for route, traffic and safety updates.

Transport and Weather Planning

Road closures and large crowds can make journeys across New Orleans slower during major parade days.

The city’s visitor guidance recommends allowing extra time for travel. It also notes that streetcars and buses serving parade areas can have limited hours or routes during Carnival.

A practical approach is to choose a viewing area first, then plan your transport around that location. For short journeys near the parade route, walking may be easier than trying to cross the city by car.

Check the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority for service information closer to your travel date.

February weather can also vary. NOLA Ready advises visitors to check the forecast and prepare for changing conditions. Depending on the weather, useful items may include:

• Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes.
• An extra layer for cooler evenings.
• A rain jacket or umbrella.
• Drinking water and sun protection.
• A portable phone charger.

For more practical advice, consult the city’s Mardi Gras safety guide.

Do You Need Mardi Gras 2027 Tickets?

You generally do not need a ticket to watch a public New Orleans street parade. Most parades are free and open to spectators.

Paid options are available for selected grandstand seating along parade routes. Mardi Gras balls are separate events and may be invitation-only or ticketed.

If you are searching for Mardi Gras 2027 tickets, first decide whether you want to watch a public parade, reserve a grandstand seat or attend a private Carnival event.

The official New Orleans Mardi Gras FAQs explain the difference between free public parades and paid viewing options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mardi Gras 2027

When is Mardi Gras 2027?

Mardi Gras Day is Tuesday, February 9, 2027, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Carnival season begins on January 6, known as Twelfth Night.

When do Mardi Gras 2027 parades start?

The first listed New Orleans parades begin on January 6, 2027. The current calendar then shows early-season events through January, followed by a concentrated run of parades from February 3 to February 9.

Is the Mardi Gras 2027 parade schedule final?

No. The current Mardi Gras New Orleans schedule labels its 2027 listings as tentative and says events may change. New Orleans & Company also states that final 2027 routes are forthcoming. Check both sources again before travelling.

Are Mardi Gras 2027 parades free?

Yes. Public street-parade viewing is generally free. You may have to pay for grandstand seats, private balls or separately organised events.

What are the new Mardi Gras rules for 2027?

Changes adopted by the New Orleans City Council in July 2026 include safety harness requirements for float riders, restrictions on glass and smoking on floats, a weight limit for parade throws and changes affecting parade operations. Spectators must also follow the city’s public-route rules.

Where can I track Mardi Gras 2027 parade routes?

Use the city’s Routewise parade tracker and the official New Orleans Mardi Gras information page. Individual krewe listings can also provide route information.

What is Lundi Gras in 2027?

Lundi Gras takes place on Monday, February 8, 2027. It is the day before Mardi Gras Day, and the current schedule lists the Krewe of Proteus and Krewe of Orpheus in Uptown that evening.

Plan Your Mardi Gras 2027 Trip Around the Latest Listings

Mardi Gras 2027 reaches its main day on February 9, but New Orleans’ Carnival season begins on January 6. Visitors can choose between early-season parades, the main parade week or the final weekend leading up to Fat Tuesday.

The most important planning step is to distinguish between tentative parade listings and final route announcements. Check the latest schedule, follow the city’s safety rules and use Routewise for parade-day information.

For the festival’s historical background and traditions, read DionFest’s Mardi Gras history and traditions guide. You can also compare other Carnival celebrations through our guides to Rio Carnival 2026 and Goa Carnival 2026.

Abhay Ramola

Abhay Ramola researches world festivals across primary sources, local accounts, and on-ground reporting. He founded Dionfest to cover what gets missed when festivals become tourism content the history, the ritual, and the people behind it.