Mardi Gras in New Orleans is an unforgettable experience.

People dress up in extravagant costumes, attend balls, catch throws (beads, cups, doubloons, and trinkets), party all night long, and more.

With the big event kicking off in a few weeks, we decided to write a blog post that details some of our top parade recommendations to help you maximize your experience!

It is also a time for those who’ve never been to Mardi Gras to catch some cool throws. Mardi Gras official phrases, in case you have never experienced Mardi Gras are: throws equals catching beads and if the parade is rolling it’s starting. Here are some parade recommendations.

 

Krewe of Endymion

 
“Endymion” is one of the largest parades in New Orleans and boasts a different theme each year. It’s located in Mid City and rolls to the Superdome.

The parade has a Pre-Endymion block party that is rocking every year, with free concerts that kick off at noon. The parade officially starts at 4:15 PM. The float typically has a captain, a grand marshal, kings, and queens. Rod Stewart and Jason Derulo are the celebrities scheduled to be participating in the parade this year!

And lastly, Endymion’s theme for 2018: jazz.

Endymion has a captain, a grand marshal, kings, and queens. Rod Stewart and Jason Derulo will be the celebrities riding in the parade if the weather holds out.

Endymion also has an extravaganza ball and it is the party to go to. The parade rolls into the Superdome and that is when the real party begins.

 

Krewe of Bacchus

 
The “Krewe of Bacchus” parade starts near Tchoupitoulas Street and Napoleon Avenue and finishes on Convention Center Boulevard. The parade is famous for King Kong, Queen Kong, and Baby Kong floats that it flaunts every year. Every year a celebrity monarch rides in Bacchus. This year J.K. Simmons will ride in Bacchus.

Other great parades that roll before “Krewe of Bacchus” are “Krewe of Mid-City” at 11:45 AM and “Krewe of Thoth” at 12:00 p.m. You should consider checking out the Bacchus Bash, a yearly block party event that is held right before the parade. It lasts from 2 PM – 11 PM at Generations Hall.

Bacchus also has a ball called Bacchus Rendezvous, which is held in the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

 

Krewe of Rex

 
“Rex” was founded in 1872 and is truly the king of the Mardi Gras parades. It is considered to be one of the very first parades to throw doubloons (gold coins). Every year Rex carries out the traditions that they started with. Rex’s king along with his lieutenants will arrive by boat. “Rex” and “Comus”, another parade, have The “Meeting of the Courts” to end Mardi Gras at 7:30 PM on February 28th. Rex’s meeting of the courts is during a privately held ball.

 

Krewe of Muses

 
“Muses” was founded by women who wanted a parade of their own. It’s only right their main float looks like a stiletto! This parade is a great one for fashion lovers and folks who love to decorate.

If you attend the parade, you may get the chance to decorate your own real shoe, which make for fun and beautiful decorations. Who doesn’t love cute shoes?!

The parade begins at 6:30 PM on February 8th. Its starting point is between Magazine Street and Jefferson Avenue, and proceeds to the intersection of Tchoupitoulas and South Joseph Street, where it ends.

 

Krewe of Barkus

 
The “Barkus” parade often wins the award for “cutest parade” thanks to all of the dogs that are included in its presentation, hence the name “Barkus.”

If you check out this parade, you actually won’t see any floats. Instead you’ll see dogs being pulled in decorated wagons and carts, and their owners throwing beads to the crowds. The dogs are frequently dressed up in costumes for the occasion, so be sure to have your cameras ready!

The “Barkus” parade begins at 2 PM in Armstrong park on February 4th.

 

Krewe of Orpheus

 
“Orpheus” is a parade held on February 12th that rolls in to Uptown. It starts at 6 PM on Tchoupitoulas Street and Napoleon Avenue and continues down to the Convention Center. As one of the parades with super krewes Orpheus ends with the Orpheuscapade, a black tie event that begins with live music and dancing until the magic moment when the gigantic floats arrive to the Convention Center.

 

Krewe of Morpheus

 
“Morpheus” kicks off on February 9th at 7 PM in Uptown New Orleans. This parade starts rolling down St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street the night before Fat Tuesday.

 
For more information, please visit https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/schedule.html. Need a last minute place to stay? Browse our site and check out our luxury properties.