Mardi Gras Parades in New Orleans: Schedule and Timing
The Mardi Gras season, a vibrant and culturally rich event, spans two weeks from January 6, the Feast of the 3 Kings, through Fat Tuesday, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent in the Catholic calendar. Within this period, parades play a crucial role in celebrating and marking the ceremonial activities of the season.
Understanding Mardi Gras Parades
Parades during Mardi Gras are not merely sparkles, beads, and floats; they are deeply rooted in the traditions and history of New Orleans. These parades are organized by civic groups known as Krewes, consisting of citizens who often have hereditary membership. Each Krewe holds a ball and sometimes a parade as part of the Mardi Gras celebration. The timing of these parades often follows a specific pattern, with some parades being held on the same day of the week every year relative to Mardi Gras Day.
Popular Parades and Their Timing
Bacchus Parade: Always held on the Sunday evening before Mardi Gras Day. Endymion Parade: Typically held on the Saturday afternoon before Mardi Gras Day. Other Parades: These can happen on the same day as or shortly after the above parades, depending on the city's schedule.Parade Schedule
Parades generally start to take place from January 6 and continue until the big day. This period sees a gradual increase in parade activity:
January to Early February: Usually, there are one or two parades each weekend leading up to the big day. The number of parades increases in the final week before Mardi Gras, with two parades each night on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Saturday and Sunday: On these days, the number of parades typically further increases, with a significant number of parades occurring. Additionally, there are secret pagan parades that may not be officially listed but are known among the locals.Key Resources for Parade Information
For up-to-date and detailed information on Mardi Gras parades, you can refer to:
Mardi Gras Tracker: An app developed by 4WWL providing routes, timings, and more for all parades. Mardi Gras New Orleans: An excellent website offering comprehensive information on parades, their routes, and history.These resources are particularly useful given that the number of parades can vary from year to year due to extenuating circumstances. In the past few decades, some Mardi Gras Krewes have chosen to have their parades in neighboring cities or across the river, offering options for those living in surrounding areas such as Metairie, Chalmette, Arabi, and areas like Mandeville, Covington, Slidell, and Bay St. Louis.