Carnival season culminates on Fat Tuesday, February 28, 2017, as Rex rolls down St. Charles Avenue. (Photo courtesy Flickr user Infrogmation)

Plan for Parades with Our Mardi Gras Parade Schedule

Mardi Gras only lasts a day (Tuesday, February 13, 2018), but Carnival season spans weeks, giving our hotel guests ample opportunities to check out a parade or two (or three). We’ve put together a Mardi Gras parade schedule for the whole season of parades rolling in Uptown New Orleans and the French Quarter.

Mardi Gras season in New Orleans officially kicks off with Krewe du Vieux, one of the few parades to march through the French Quarter. (Photo courtesy Entouriste)
Mardi Gras season in New Orleans officially kicks off with Krewe du Vieux, one of the few parades to march through the French Quarter. (Photo by Entouriste)

Mardi Gras 2018 Parade Schedule

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Krewe du Vieux rolls through the French Quarter at 6:30 p.m., with Krewe Delusion following directly afterward. Both parades are in our neighborhood, and we love seeing our guests come back through the lobby decked in beads after the first major parades of the Carnival season.

Friday, February 2, 2018

Uptown, Krewe of Cleopatra, an all-female krewe, rolls just after Krewe of Oshun, which starts at 6:00 pm. If you’re at our French Quarter hotel, the Krewe of Cork (as in wine cork), the parade begins at 3:00 p.m. just a few blocks from our hotel.

Be sure to have a glass of wine from The Carousel Bar in hand, or celebrate the parade afterward by heading to Criollo – their wine list is full of playful whites, interesting reds, and bubbles to keep the party going.

Saturday, February 2, 2018

This Saturday is a big one for parades. In Uptown, five Krewes will roll from 1:00 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. Krewe of Pontchartrain, Krewe of Pygmalion, and the others will throw traditional fare like beads and doubloons, but the Krewe of Sparta promises a secret mystery throw each year – get ready!

The Marigny also will host two parades, the micro-krewe ‘tit Rex and Krewe of Chewbacchus, starting at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Animal lovers rejoice! The Krewe of Barkus parades in the French Quarter at 2:00 p.m. This parade features dogs as the parade participants, decked out in their finest four-legged costumes. This year’s theme is Pirates of the Crescent City: Barkus Tells Tales of Jean Lafleabag.

On the same day, you’ll find four parades in Uptown. The all-female Krewe of Femme Fatale kicks things off at 11:00 a.m., parading down Magazine Street. After Femme Fatale rolls Carrollton, King Arthur & Merlin, and Alla.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

The Krewe of Nyx, one of the newest krewes founded in 2012, rolls in Uptown, preceded by the Krewe of Druids. Nyx features a popular throw of purses — we wish you luck in catching one! Both will parade down St. Charles Avenue starting at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

The Krewe of Muses rolls in Uptown at 6:30 p.m. in Uptown. Their throws, and intricately decorated shoes, are arguably the most coveted catch of the entire Carnival season, and the parade is a staff favorite at our hotel – we’ll definitely take a pedicab Uptown to see it! The Knights of Babylon and the Knights of Chaos also parade in Uptown before Muses starts.

Friday, February 9, 2018

The krewes of Hermes, d’Etat, and Morpheus parade through uptown, with Hermes starting things off regally: their parade features a real, white horse and more than 700 parade participants. They start rolling at 6:00 p.m.

If you’re staying with us in the French Quarter, you’ll also want to check out the walking Krewe of Bosom Buddies, which starts at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of St. Louis and Bourbon streets.

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Start your day in Uptown, when the all-female Krewe of Iris and the Krewe of Tucks roll at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., respectively.

For a change of venue, head to Mid-City and check out the Krewe of Endymion, rolling down Canal Street at 4:15 p.m. This “super krewe” is known for its high-tech lighted floats and celebrity grand marshals. This year’s Endymion after-party, their annual Extravaganza, will feature musical performances by Rod Stewart and Jason Derulo. 

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Krewe of Bacchus – this year helmed by actor J.K. Simmons as Bacchus – rolls at 5:15 p.m. in Uptown. Past celebrity guests have included Hugh Laurie, Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, and Drew Brees.  Other krewes parading earlier that day are Mid-City (in Uptown, ironically), Okeanos, and Thoth.

Carnival season culminates on Fat Tuesday, February 28, 2017, as Rex rolls down St. Charles Avenue. (Photo courtesy Flickr user Infrogmation)
Carnival season culminates on Fat Tuesday, February 13, 2018, as Rex rolls down St. Charles Avenue. (Photo by Infrogmation via Flickr)

Monday, February 12, 2018 (Lundi Gras)

Lundi Gras features two big krewes: Proteus and Orpheus. Keegan Michael Key, known best for his satirical Comedy Central show, Key & Peele, is this year’s reigning Orpheus Monarch. Both parades roll through Uptown starting at 5:15 p.m.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018 (Mardi Gras)

Mardi Gras Day! The festivities start early, with Krewe of Zulu (and their famous coconuts) rolling through Uptown at 8:00 a.m. Krewe of Rex – featuring the King of Carnival – follows, plus truck parades for the krewes of Elks Orleans and Crescent City.

Once the parades end, you can explore streets full of costumed revelers in the French Quarter. The Societé de Saint Anne is a favorite among locals. This walking group usually starts its route in the Bywater around 10:00 a.m. and slowly makes its way into the French Quarter.

We really let the good times roll at the Monteleone!

Plan your visit for Mardi Gras 2018!

There are plenty of ways to experience Mardi Gras at Hotel Monteleone. Our French Quarter location makes it easy to get to your favorite parades, and our hotel will be decorated in glittering green, purple, and gold, too – make sure to get some pictures inside the lobby.

Start your Mardi Gras with a classic Sazerac cocktail from the Carousel Bar & Lounge.

You’ll also have a chance to try king cake throughout the Carnival season. Some of our favorites are from Haydel’s Bakery, Manny Randazzo, and Cake Café, all of which pair perfectly with a cocktail from our Carousel Bar & Lounge or on-site restaurant, Criollo. Once you’re feeling sated and spirited, step out into New Orleans for a Carnival experience throughout the city.

If you can’t make it this year, join us next year instead. Carnival 2019 begins January 5 on Twelfth Night, culminating on Mardi Gras Day on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

We’ve put together a Mardi Gras parade schedule for the whole season for parades rolling in Uptown New Orleans and the French Quarter. Take a look!

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