New Orleans is famous for being a city that knows how to throw a party. And, Mardi Gras is the biggest party of them all. It is an absolute must-do experience in New Orleans. Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, this year. The weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday, known as Carnival season, make Mardi Gras one of the best times to experience the Big Easy. Packed with parties, parades, king cakes galore, and fun for the entire family, Carnival season lasts more than a month and ramps up on the Thursday before Mardi Gras.
If you’re planning a trip to New Orleans for this Mardi Gras, we have a few ideas to help you prepare for the city’s biggest celebration. Whether you’re looking for a great hotel for your New Orleans Mardi Gras stay, ideas for a Mardi Gras parade plan, help on finding must-see parades throughout the city and in the French Quarter, where to stand or sit, what to wear, what to bring, and more, we’ve got you covered.
Check Out Our Mardi Gras Guides
- Experience New Orleans Mardi Gras Like a Local
- Here are all the can’t-miss events happening on Mardi Gras weekend
- The Rules of Mardi Gras — guidelines and official laws
- How to Dress for Mardi Gras
Upcoming Mardi Gras Dates
February 17, 2026
February 9, 2027
February 29, 2028
February 13, 2029
March 5, 2030
February 25, 2031
February 10, 2032
March 1, 2033
February 21, 2034
February 6, 2035
