The Carnival season is in full swing, spanning weeks of festivities leading up to the eagerly anticipated Mardi Gras celebration. Originating as a religious observance preceding the Christian Lenten season, Mardi Gras has evolved into an extended period of revelry, with festivals and celebrations taking place worldwide, from France to Brazil and beyond. While Mardi Gras is celebrated in various cities across the United States, it is most famously known for the lavish festivities in New Orleans, Louisiana. The city takes Mardi Gras seriously, with time-honored traditions like king cake and vibrant parades commencing in January and continuing until the culmination on Fat Tuesday itself.
Whether you are a local resident, a traveler planning a visit to New Orleans, or simply observing from a distance, here is an overview of the Mardi Gras parades in the Big Easy for this year.
When is Mardi Gras 2025?
Mardi Gras, known as “Fat Tuesday” in French, falls on March 4 this year, with Ash Wednesday following on March 5 to mark the start of the 40-day Lenten season leading up to Easter.
Why is Mardi Gras celebrated in New Orleans?
While Mardi Gras is now recognized as a Christian holiday, its origins trace back thousands of years to ancient pagan spring and fertility rituals. The celebration, also known as Carnival or Carnaval, is observed in countries with significant Roman Catholic communities. Louisiana’s strong ties to French and Cajun culture, stemming from its early colonization by the French, have contributed to the preservation of Mardi Gras traditions in the state.
What are the Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans for 2025?
As Mardi Gras approaches, New Orleans will host a series of vibrant parades in the days leading up to Fat Tuesday. Even after the official carnival season concludes, there will be parades catering to dog lovers.
Here is a schedule of the upcoming parades in New Orleans, along with their respective locations:
– Friday, Feb. 28
Krewe of Bosom Buddies: 11:30 a.m., French Quarter
Krewe of Hermes: 5:30 p.m., Uptown New Orleans
Krewe d’Etat: 6:30 p.m., Uptown New Orleans (followed by Krewe of Morpheus)
Krewe of Selene: 6:30 p.m., Slidell (followed by Krewe of Dionysus)
– Saturday, March 1
Krewe of Iris: 11 a.m., Uptown New Orleans
Krewe of Tucks: Noon, Uptown New Orleans
Krewe of NOMTOC: 10:45 a.m., Westbank
Krewe of Endymion: 4 p.m., Mid-City
PAWS event is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Covington on Saturday, March 15. Following that, the Krewe du Pooch event will take place at noon in Mandeville. Gabe Hauari, a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY, can be followed on X @GabeHauari or reached via email at Gdhauari@gannett.com. This article was originally published on USA TODAY and covers the Mardi Gras 2025 parade schedule in New Orleans, along with important details to be aware of.
