June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Mardi Gras in New Orleans is easily one of the biggest, city-wide celebrations in the world. The crowds, pageantry and energy are unmatched, as thousands converge on the Gulf Coast city every year. In 2026, Mardi Gras falls on Feb. 17.
Here’s what you need to get ready for Fat Tuesday, including where to stay, what to wear and bring, travel tips and more.
If you want to be at the center of all the action, book your hotel early!
You should know that hotels in New Orleans will be full for Mardi Gras by December. In fact, starting in August, most hotel properties begin accepting a steady stream of reservations for the holiday. Plan to book your hotel in the late summer or fall, well before Mardi Gras.
The official website for Mardi Gras is an essential resource for trip planning and includes a list of hotels at the center of all the action.
All may not be lost if you decide as late as January to join the fun. But be prepared to spend more and to be persistent about contacting hotels for cancellations and to get your name on waiting lists. You might just get lucky.
Think about the sort of experience you want to have; that will largely drive where you book, and even what days you pick. What sort of reveler are you?
The French Quarter it is, then! And if you want to be at the absolute epicenter of parades and parties, you’ll want to book a hotel on Bourbon Street. Up the excitement by paying to reserve a spot on the balcony of the most popular nightclubs and bars on Bourbon Street. Watch the action below with a cocktail in hand!
Many much-loved spots for booking a balcony, such as Mambo’s and Old NOLA Cookery, include all you can eat, New Orleans-style buffets. Here’s a list of the most popular places to book a Balcony on Bourbon Street.
If you want a more family-friendly atmosphere, but still want to be part of the festivities, book a hotel on Saint Charles Avenue in the Lower Garden District. The street is one of the best places to catch the parades, without all the commotion from the nightclubs.
Did you know that the festivities start well before Fat Tuesday? The party begins as early as January 6, with plenty of street parades throughout the month of January leading up Mardi Gras. Coming in January is a good idea if you want a big dose of culture, but don’t want to deal with the crowds and higher prices in February.
Check this out to learn more about the timing and lead up to Mardi Gras and the history of the holiday.
Join the revelry by getting decked out in your best costume. Wear colorful wigs, strands of beads or dress as your favorite characters. Parade-goers and partiers wear their best fits throughout the season, not just on Fat Tuesday.
If you want to be traditional, wear green and gold, the official colors of Mardi Gras. Some top places to shop for costumes include Miss Claudia’s Vintage, Uptown Costumes, and Funky Monkey.
Jan. 6: Open the season with the Phunny Phorty Phellows, a krewe that kicks off the start of the holiday festivities with an amusing ride on St. Charles Avenue in a vintage streetcar.
Jan. 31: If you love irreverent fun, don’t miss Krewe du Vieux, known for its satirical floats. Don’t bring the kids to this one.
Feb. 12: Don’t miss the fabulous Muses, an all-woman krewe known for their gorgeous, giant high-heeled shoe display.
Feb. 8: Dog lovers rejoice! Bring your pooch to Barkus, a parade for costumed dogs and their human companions.
Feb 15: Bacchus embodies the spirit of Mardi Gras! This krewe comes with a celebrity monarch and huge mega-floats.
It will be far too congested to drive, which is why it’s important to book your hotel or party balcony close to where you want to celebrate. Utilize public transit to get close to where you want to go but count on walking most of the way.
Just as hotels get booked earlier, a table at a restaurant in the French Quarter will be hard to come by during Mardi Gras. If you want a sit-down meal, make your reservations early.
A good idea is to enjoy the awesome street food New Orleans has to offer, such as King Cake, boudin balls and beignets.
Keep your wits about you and know that public drunkenness, flashing and other inappropriate behaviors are illegal. Expect a heavy police presence in heavily populated areas.
Wear comfortable shoes and layered clothing that will allow you to enjoy the parades comfortably outdoors. Bring antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer, as public restrooms will see a high volume of use.
Don’t expect your trip to always go according to plan. You never know when your trip will be canceled or interrupted due to unexpected circumstances, such as illness or inclement weather.
Let’s say you’re diagnosed with the flu the day you’re scheduled to fly to New Orleans, and your hotel reservations are non-refundable. Your doctor advises you not to travel. An Allianz Travel Insurance plan with trip cancellation benefits may reimburse certain non-refundable trip expenses, such as your reservations.
Travel insurance may protect your trip investment if you need to cancel for a covered reason. That way, you can postpone your trip for the next Mardi Gras season, when you’re hopefully party ready!
Let Allianz Travel Insurance help you roam with peace of mind.
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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.
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