Exploring New Orleans’ Best Mardi Gras Celebrations

Introduction

Mardi Gras is one of the most celebrated events in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. The two-week celebration begins each year on the Twelfth Night, January 6th, and culminates on the day before Ash Wednesday known as “Fat Tuesday”. During the two-week period, the city of New Orleans is transformed into a vibrant and festive atmosphere with a plethora of extravagant parades, costume parties, and cultural events. This article will explore the best Mardi Gras celebrations New Orleans has to offer.

The Krewe of Zulu

The Krewe of Zulu is one of the most iconic and popular Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. Established in 1909, the Zulu parade is the oldest African-American parade in the city. The parade is led by the King and Queen Zulu and features a variety of floats and marching bands. The parade typically begins at 8:00 AM and moves through the city’s French Quarter and CBD before ending in the historic Treme neighborhood.

The parade’s most iconic feature is the Zulu coconut, which is tossed from the floats to parade-goers. The coconuts are decorated with the parade’s colors and logo and are considered a good luck charm. The Krewe of Zulu also has its own traditional song, “If Ever I Cease To Love”, which is sung by the King and Queen Zulu during the parade.

The Krewe of Rex

The Krewe of Rex is another iconic Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. Founded in 1872, the Krewe of Rex is the oldest and most popular parade in the city. The parade is led by the King and Queen Rex and features an array of floats and marching bands. The parade typically begins at 10:00 AM and moves through the city’s French Quarter and CBD before ending in the historic Treme neighborhood.

The parade’s most iconic feature is the Rex medallion, which is thrown from the floats to parade-goers. The medallions are decorated with the parade’s colors and logo and are considered a good luck charm. The Krewe of Rex also has its own traditional song, “If Ever I Cease To Love”, which is sung by the King and Queen Rex during the parade.

The Krewe of Muses

The Krewe of Muses is one of the most unique Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. Established in 2000, the Muses parade is a women’s-only parade that features an array of floats and marching bands. The parade typically begins at 8:00 PM and moves through the city’s French Quarter and CBD before ending in the historic Treme neighborhood.

The parade’s most iconic feature is the Muses shoe, which is thrown from the floats to parade-goers. The shoes are decorated with the parade’s colors and logo and are considered a good luck charm. The Krewe of Muses also has its own traditional song, “If Ever I Cease To Love”, which is sung by the Queen Muses during the parade.

The Krewe of Bacchus

The Krewe of Bacchus is another iconic Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. Founded in 1968, the Krewe of Bacchus is the largest parade in the city. The parade is led by the King and Queen Bacchus and features an array of floats and marching bands. The parade typically begins at 6:00 PM and moves through the city’s French Quarter and CBD before ending in the historic Treme neighborhood.

The parade’s most iconic feature is the Bacchus trident, which is thrown from the floats to parade-goers. The tridents are decorated with the parade’s colors and logo and are considered a good luck charm. The Krewe of Bacchus also has its own traditional song, “If Ever I Cease To Love”, which is sung by the King and Queen Bacchus during the parade.

The Krewe of Endymion

The Krewe of Endymion is one of the most popular Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. Founded in 1967, the Krewe of Endymion is the largest night parade in the city. The parade is led by the King and Queen Endymion and features an array of floats and marching bands. The parade typically begins at 6:00 PM and moves through the city’s French Quarter and CBD before ending in the historic Treme neighborhood.

The parade’s most iconic feature is the Endymion scepter, which is thrown from the floats to parade-goers. The scepters are decorated with the parade’s colors and logo and are considered a good luck charm. The Krewe of Endymion also has its own traditional song, “If Ever I Cease To Love”, which is sung by the King and Queen Endymion during the parade.

The Krewe of Orpheus

The Krewe of Orpheus is another popular Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. Founded in 1993, the Krewe of Orpheus is the first and only co-ed parade in the city. The parade is led by the King and Queen Orpheus and features an array of floats and marching bands. The parade typically begins at 5:00 PM and moves through the city’s French Quarter and CBD before ending in the historic Treme neighborhood.

The parade’s most iconic feature is the Orpheus mask, which is thrown from the floats to parade-goers. The masks are decorated with the parade’s colors and logo and are considered a good luck charm. The Krewe of Orpheus also has its own traditional song, “If Ever I Cease To Love”, which is sung by the King and Queen Orpheus during the parade.

The Krewe of Proteus

The Krewe of Proteus is another iconic Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. Founded in 1882, the Krewe of Proteus is the second-oldest parade in the city. The parade is led by the King and Queen Proteus and features an array of floats and marching bands. The parade typically begins at 6:00 PM and moves through the city’s French Quarter and CBD before ending in the historic Treme neighborhood.

The parade’s most iconic feature is the Proteus shield, which is thrown from the floats to parade-goers. The shields are decorated with the parade’s colors and logo and are considered a good luck charm. The Krewe of Proteus also has its own traditional song, “If Ever I Cease To Love”, which is sung by the King and Queen Proteus during the parade.

The Krewe of Tucks

The Krewe of Tucks is one of the most unique Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. Founded in 1969, the Krewe of Tucks is the only parade in the city that is dedicated to satire and political commentary. The parade is led by the King and Queen Tucks and features an array of floats and marching bands. The parade typically begins at 7:00 PM and moves through the city’s French Quarter and CBD before ending in the historic Treme neighborhood.

The parade’s most iconic feature is the Tucks flag, which is thrown from the floats to parade-goers. The flags are decorated with the parade’s colors and logo and are considered a good luck charm. The Krewe of Tucks also has its own traditional song, “If Ever I Cease To Love”, which is sung by the King and Queen Tucks during the parade.

The Krewe of Hermes

The Krewe of Hermes is another popular Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. Founded in 1937, the Krewe of Hermes is the third-oldest parade in the city. The parade is led by the King and Queen Hermes and features an array of floats and marching bands. The parade typically begins at 5:00 PM and moves through the city’s French Quarter and CBD before ending in the historic Treme neighborhood.

The parade’s most iconic feature is the Hermes helmet, which is thrown from the floats to parade-goers. The helmets are decorated with the parade’s colors and logo and are considered a good luck charm. The Krewe of Hermes also has its own traditional song, “If Ever I Cease To Love”, which is sung by the King and Queen Hermes during the parade.

The Krewe of Carrollton

The Krewe of Carrollton is another unique Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. Founded in 1925, the Krewe of Carrollton is the oldest neighborhood parade in the city. The parade is led by the King and Queen Carrollton and features an array of floats and marching bands. The parade typically begins at 7:00 PM and moves through the city’s French Quarter and CBD before ending in the historic Treme neighborhood.

The parade’s most iconic feature is the Carrollton coin, which is thrown from the floats to parade-goers. The coins are decorated with the parade’s colors and logo and are considered a good luck charm. The Krewe of Carrollton also has its own traditional song, “If Ever I Cease To Love”, which is sung by the King and Queen Carrollton during the parade.

Conclusion

Mardi Gras is one of the most celebrated events in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. During the two-week period, the city of New Orleans is transformed into a vibrant and festive atmosphere with a plethora of extravagant parades, costume parties, and cultural events. This article explored the best Mardi Gras celebrations New Orleans has to offer, such as the Krewe of Zulu, the Krewe of Rex, the Krewe of Muses, the Krewe of Bacchus, the Krewe of Endymion, the Krewe of Orpheus, the Krewe of Proteus, the Krewe of Tucks, and the Krewe of Hermes. Whether you’re looking for a traditional parade or a unique experience, New Orleans has something to offer for everyone during Mardi Gras.