As the peak of the 2025 Carnival season fast approaches in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, the spirit of festivity is in high gear. In New Orleans, the vibrant parades are set to roll down the bustling thoroughfares, inviting locals and tourists alike to partake in an exhilarating blend of formal entertainment and spirited costume wear. Friday will witness three parades, showcasing an array of vibrant floats with masked riders. The crescendo will build up to Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, marked as the epitome of revelry. Meanwhile, the French Quarter will brim with costumed revelers as parades animate the city’s suburbs, extending their vibrant reach across various towns in Louisiana as well as along the Mississippi and Alabama shores.
Mardi Gras finds its roots in Christian and Roman Catholic customs. The season kicks off on January 6th, twelve days following Christmas, and runs until Mardi Gras – a day characterized by festive indulgence before transitioning to Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season of reflection and preparation for Easter. New Orleans is home to the grandest and most celebrated Carnival activities in the United States, ranging from street parties to opulent balls and energetic parades. Many of these parades are grand-scale productions featuring extravagant floats adorned with flashing lights and mechanical marvels. “Carnival is all about family, resembling a grand six-mile block party,” stated Virginia Saussy of the Krewe of Muses, which will parade on Friday evening. “It’s an experience everyone should embrace.”
Mardi Gras celebrations extend beyond New Orleans. In southwest Louisiana, the Cajun tradition of Courir de Mardi Gras engages masked participants in a rural fete with medieval French roots, culminating in a communal gumbo feast. Conversely, in New Orleans, African Americans don elaborate beaded and feathered suits to honor the Mardi Gras Indian tradition. This culturally significant practice dates back to the late 19th century, serving as an homage to the Native Americans who supported Black people and runaway slaves, and was pivotal when segregation denied Black citizens entry into predominantly white festivities.
The festive atmosphere will be underscored by heightened security measures, sparked by the tragic New Year’s Day truck attack in the heart of New Orleans that claimed 14 lives. The Department of Homeland Security has since elevated the Mardi Gras threat level to its highest, ensuring a robust law enforcement presence. Eric DeLaune, chief orchestrator of Mardi Gras security operations, underscores that while safety is paramount, it is crucial to preserve the historic and cultural essence of this New Orleans celebration. Thus, rigorous yet unobtrusive security protocols synonymous with Super Bowl-level events will be in effect, including SWAT teams, armored vehicles, helicopters, and plainclothes agents. New Orleans will field 600 city police in collaboration with other local and state agencies.
A serpentine layout of heavy barricades has been thoughtfully deployed along St. Charles Avenue to safeguard spectators, while strategically impeding any potential vehicle threats as outlined by Anne Kirkpatrick, Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department. Robert Hodges, Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, added that drones are strictly prohibited, and ice chests and coolers—the type exploited in the New Year’s attack—will be barred from the heavily trafficked segment of the French Quarter.
This year’s Mardi Gras arrives notably later as it aligns with Easter’s variable date, scheduled for March 4th, paving the way for relatively warmer weather compared to the typical February chill. Nonetheless, a chance of rain looms over the approaching Tuesday. Parades are characterized by the distribution of “throws,” cherished trinkets dispensed by krewe members to eager spectators. The legendary parade of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club is renowned for its painted coconut throws, while the Muses parade offers glittery shoes as coveted keepsakes. “The beaded stiletto shoe initially intended as a commemorative item, captivated the public’s affection for shoes,” remarked Saussy, with a touch of humor.
