Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor Your Home for Mardi Gras 2026

No! Mardi Gras is a holiday, just like Christmas and Easter. It belongs to everyone. Do not believe the claims of businesses that offer "official" Mardi Gras merchandise or an "official" Mardi Gras website. Using the term “official” is just a way for vendors to sell their products or services to those who do not know better. Products or websites are not licensed by the government for Mardi Gras. Each individual parade krewe is responsible for all its merchandise. In some parts of the country, official organizations control their Mardi Gras celebration, but this is not true in New Orleans.

The weather during Mardi Gras can vary from very cold to very warm, almost hot. Sometimes it will change from one extreme to the other during the same day. It’s a good idea to layer your clothes since a chilly morning may turn into a warm afternoon.

Since you will be spending long days outside, pack comfortable shoes and clothes that can get somewhat dirty. Don’t forget to check the forecast for rain. If storms are predicted, then you’ll want to bring a raincoat!

Yes! Contrary to public perception, Mardi Gras is a family celebration. Those of us who grew up in New Orleans feel guilty once our children have grown up and we continue going to every parade because we used to use "taking the children" as our excuse! Bring big bags (even large garbage bags!) to hold all of the stuff they will catch. Throws often include toys, stuffed animals, beads, and more.

The only place you should avoid with kids is the French Quarter (where no full-size parades pass anyway). We recommend seeing the parades when they begin on St. Charles Avenue near Napoleon since parades can last until 11 p.m. near the end of the route. The Garden District portion of St. Charles is a family area where you will see many families staking out their parade watching position, having picnics, playing ball, and having fun under the beautiful oak trees. You don't have to worry about the streetcars, as they stop running in this area during Mardi Gras.

You may also want to consider taking your kids to the parades in suburban areas like Metairie, which is only 10 minutes away from New Orleans. Metairie's Caesar parade, the Saturday before Mardi Gras weekend, is the parade Disneyworld features on Mardi Gras day. Kids love it!

Not unless you are going to be a rider on a float. If you plan to watch the parades during Mardi Gras, you'll catch so much you won't be able to carry it all! 

Even though every parade is unique, Orpheus, Bacchus, and Endymion feature the most intricate, massive, and extravagant floats. 

According to Wikipedia, “While there is no official definition for "super Krewe,” it is generally accepted that a super krewe possesses over 1,000 active dues-paying members and maintains at least 500 riders for its parade each carnival.” Here at MardiGrasNewOrleans.com, we think there’s a little more to it than that.

Along with a large membership, super krewes have huge, double- and triple-decker floats, much sought-after signature throws, and celebrity monarchs. They also are known for their big before and after-parade celebrations with big-name talent (i.e., the Bacchus Bash, the Endymion Extravaganza, and the Orpheuscapade).

The first super krewe was Bacchus, founded in 1968. It was founded in 1967, Endymion emerged as a super krewe in 1974.  Orpheus, founded in 1993, also enjoys super krewe status. Three all-female super krewes also take to the parade route, including the Krewe of Muses. With 1,600+ active riders, the Krewe of Iris, established in 1917, is not only the largest female Mardi Gras krewe, but it is also the oldest.