When Mardis Gras actually starts varies, but the parades will always begin in January and end on “Fat Tuesday”, the day before Ash Wednesday – though the most popular time to visit is the extended weekend before “Fat Tuesday”. The turnout for the event is massive, with 1.2million people each year; 3.5 times the population of New Orleans, and every one of them dressed up and in the party spirit.

Parade: Bacchus, Beads & Balls

The “Fat Tuesday” traditions started in New Orleans in 1699 and became a state holiday in 1875, but it was only around 100 years ago that krewes got involved. There are 70+ krewes who are made up of local volunteers, each year many of the krewes have a theme for their floats, with homemade, elaborate and well-invested floats, throwing out strings of colourful beads, doubloons (usually impressed with the krewe’s logo), moon pies, toys and the highly sought after Zulu coconut. There are 5 main Krewes: Zulu, Bacchus, Rex, Endymion & Orpheus, 3 of them are considered "super Krewes" (Bacchus, Orpheus & Endymion) with kings and queens, the most famous being Zulu’s Louis Armstrong in 1949.

The Big Easy Nightlife

There’s a reason this party has the honorary title of “best in the US”, with The Big Easy being pretty lively all year round, the celebration of Mardi Gras really gets it going. Bourbon Street is known for being a little on the debauched side, consisting of strip clubs and bars, this is where people will congregate for plastic-cup-booze and balcony dwellers throwing beads. New Orleans is also known for its history of incredible jazz, Cajun, Dixieland, blues and rock with essential bars outside of this district.

New Orleans Mardi Gras - two wild weeks in The Big Easy!