You’re in for a big treat: there are many events that happen well before Mardi Gras day itself. The CARNIVAL season always begins on January 6th, which is King’s Day (Feast of the Epiphany). Mardi Gras Day itself (or, as it’s also known, Fat Tuesday) is on a different day every year. This special day always takes place 47 days before Easter.

The celebration of CARNIVAL precedes Lent. It’s a 40-day period that lasts until Easter Sunday and is widely celebrated in Europe and South America. The New Orleans CARNIVAL is the largest one in North America.  Keep in mind that there is no “official” Mardi Gras. It’s a holiday, just like Christmas and Easter. It belongs to everyone. Now let’s see what’s coming down the pike.

#1

Starting on Saturday, January 26th, the ARTS MARKET OF NEW ORLEANS presents a free, monthly open-air marketplace of artwork made by New Orleans and Gulf Coast artists at Palmer Park located at 8211 S. Claiborne Avenue. Each monthly market features between 80 to 130 local artists. The artwork is both affordable and handmade. The selection includes: paintings, ceramics, glasswork and much more. Hours are between 10 am and 4 pm.

#2

On Saturday, February 15th from 7 pm to 10 pm you’ll find the MARDI GRAS BALCONY PARTY at the Bourbon Cowboy, located at 241 Bourbon Street. A ticket will give you three hours of an open bar and lots of bead throwing fun from the second floor balcony to the crowd below. Be sure to bring beads. Tickets are limited and the balcony will rotate. No refunds rain or shine.

#3

A free event takes place on Wednesday, February 19th from 6:15 pm to 11:59 pm with the KREWE OF DRUIDS at Uptown/Carrollton. This event offers New Orleans’ residents and visitors a first-class parade one week before Fat Tuesday. The all-male club does not stage a ball or feature a Queen and court. Its King is known as the Arch Druid and is accompanied on the King’s float by a jester.  

#4

Now, we’re at MARDI GRAS WEEKEND which goes from Saturday, February 22nd to Tuesday, February 25th. One of the most popular times to visit New Orleans is the extended weekend BEFORE Mardi Gras when you can catch parades such as Endymion, Bacchus, (two of the biggest parades of the season) Zulu and Rex – in addition to other festive celebrations throughout New Orleans. 

NOW, WE’RE GOING TO SWITCH GEARS and give you links to Rathbone blogs that have appeared in the past. This is a succinct, fast way to get information about where to eat and what to see when you are in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. 

#5

CLICK HERE to read our blog titled, “New Orleans: More Than the French Quarter.  

#6

CLICK HERE for our take on the cemeteries in New Orleans.

#7

If you’re thinking about signing up for a Swamp Tour here’s everything you need to know so CLICK HERE.

#8

Now, here’s one of our blogs that covers everything from picking up a po’boy to eating a beignet or dining in style. CLICK HERE to get a fast overview.

It’s all here – now have some fun!!

Shaun Nelson-Henrick