Mardi Gras: A Statewide Celebration

When you hear the phrase Mardi Gras, parades, costumes and food covered in purple, green and gold – the official colors of the holiday — usually come to mind. But one misconception is often attached to these visions: the idea that Mardi Gras is exclusive to New Orleans.

While visiting New Orleans on Mardi Gras day guarantees a good time, an entire season of events across the state offer unique and exciting ways to celebrate. Mardi Gras is just one day, but Louisiana celebrates the entire Carnival season, which begins on the Feast of Epiphany, January 6, culminatings on Mardi Gras (which has a date that varies each year). All throughout that season, every corner of the state is celebrating in its own unique ways, from parades and royal balls

Family Events

Though Mardi Gras tends to be thought of as an adults-only party, plenty of locations across the state offer family-friendly events. Family Gras in Jefferson Parish is free and offers Mardi Gras parades, authentic local cuisine, a kids’ royal court and outdoor concerts. Several cities host pet parades, where pups take to the streets in their own cute and crazy costumes. These events are a blast for both children and adults, and some even raise money for local pet shelters. In Lafayette, the Courir des Enfants and Lundi Gras Party is a festive children’s Mardi Gras parade. Children dress in costumes, play Cajun music and go “begging” for gumbo ingredients. Parades featuring musicians, families and bead-tossers can be found all across the state, from Lafayette to Shreveport. 

Courir de Mardi Gras

Courir de Mardi Gras, or the running of the Mardi Gras, can be found in rural areas of Cajun Country such as Eunice, Mamou and Church Point. In this celebration, costumed locals go from house to house on horseback, performing tricks and stunts in an effort to impress residents enough to receive donations of chicken, sausage, vegetables and rice,  used to make a massive gumbo for a community party. It also includes a traditional chicken chase, live music, street dances, cooking demos and more.

Unique Throws

A “throw” is anything thrown by krewe members to parade-goers. Throws are typically beads, doubloons, cups or toys. But some krewes are embracing unique throws that include everything from monogrammed toilet paper (like in the New Orleans Krewe of Tucks parade) to Spam and hot dogs. 

Learn more about all the different Mardi Gras celebrations happening across the state.