NEW ORLEANS—As the climax of the 2025 Carnival season approaches, New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are gearing up for a display of extravagant parades, opulent balls, and rib-tickling festivities. In New Orleans, three grand parades set the stage on Thursday night as elaborately masked riders take to the colorful floats. The revelry will extend daily until the culmination on Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, drawing costume-clad throngs into the heart of the French Quarter while parades simultaneously unfold in nearby suburbs and cities throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Mardi Gras holds its roots deep within Christian and Roman Catholic traditions, starting on January 6, the 12th day post-Christmas, leading to a final day of indulgence before the arrival of Ash Wednesday. However, the celebration in New Orleans has gradually embraced a more secular tone, becoming synonymous with exuberant street festivities, elegant balls, and vibrant parades. Some processions are now sprawling high-tech spectacles showcasing grandiose floats adorned with dazzling lights and monumental moving designs.
For members of groups like the Krewe of Muses, this season is a time for family, fun, and communal joy encapsulated in a six-mile stretch of entertainment and celebration, as described by Virginia Saussy, who is eagerly anticipating their parade on Thursday.
Across southwest Louisiana, Mardi Gras traditions feature the Courir de Mardi Gras, where costumed riders partake in rural parades with ties to Medieval France, chasing live chickens for a communal gumbo feast. New Orleans also honors the rich tradition of Mardi Gras Indians, where African Americans don intricately beaded and feathered costumes to perform throughout the city, a homage to both local Native American allies and a historical response to racial segregation.
This year’s festivities in New Orleans come under heightened security due to a tragic truck attack on New Year’s Day that resulted in 14 fatalities. Homeland Security has accordingly elevated Mardi Gras to its highest risk level, deploying an extensive security force including SWAT teams, armored vehicles, aerial surveillance, and over 600 police officers supplemented by state and local agencies, ensuring the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras persists safely.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick detailed the installation of a serpentine barrier layout along St. Charles Avenue to thwart potential threats, while drones are prohibited, and ice chests remain banned in high-traffic areas after being exploited in the recent attack.
Mardi Gras’s date fluctuates between February 3 and March 9, intricately linked to the lunar-based timing of Easter. This year, March 4’s celebration promises balmier weather, though the Gulf Coast might see some rainfall.
Parade-goers eagerly anticipate “throws,” or trinkets distributed by float participants and krewes. While plastic beads are ubiquitous, environmental concerns mean some krewes are rethinking their offerings. Highly sought items include painted coconuts from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, while the Krewe of Muses captivates many with their glittery hand-decorated shoes—a tradition blossomed from a simple commemorative bead into a crowd favorite.