When is Mardi Gras in New Orleans?
Carnival (commonly called Mardi Gras) starts on January 6th each year and ends at midnight on Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday” in French) Day. The date for Mardi Gras Day floats in the calender because it is tied to Easter. This year MGD is February 24th. The parades in New Orleans start about 11 days before MGD. The height of the Carnival season is the last 5 or 6 days (Thursday evening through Tuesday at midnight). That is when the largest crowds occur, and the most dramatic parades roll (Endymion on Saturday, Bacchus on Sunday, and Rex & Zulu on Tuesday). Most of the video you see about Mardi Gras in NOLA is taken during the last 5 or 6 days. It is also the most crowded and the most difficult time to get a good hotel room. Go to www.mardigras.com and www.mardigrasguide.com for more on Carnival in New Orleans. The FAQ sections may be especially helpful. If you are driving to New Orleans you need to park your car in a lot or garage and leave it there until it’s time to drive away. The absolu
