Mardi Gras 2012 New Orleans

Mardi Gras 2012

One of America's most beloved festivals is the Mardi Gras Festival in New Orleans celebrating the Mardi Gras Carnival Season. But what many people don't realize is, there are several events and parades for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The celebration lasts throughout the month of February and has over 10 days of parades throughout the Big Easy. When is Mardi Gras, the main event? Fat Tuesday, February 21st, also known as Shrove Tuesday, is Mardi Gras Day celebrated with lots of Mardi Gras Parades.

New Orleans Carnival Season | Mardi Gras 2012 Parades, Events & Parties

• Krewedelusion Parade - Feb 4, 2012 - 7:00 PM
  2012 marks the first year for Krewedelusion and their first annual Krewedelusion Mardi Gras Parade will be traveling into the French Quarter with floats, beads, and more.
• Krewe du Vieux Parade - Feb 4, 2012 - 6:30 PM
  This Mardi Gras Carnival Parade is not for the little ones as this is a Big Easy adult only event! The Krewe du Vieux Mardi Gras Parade is one of the wildest and craziest parades of the Mardi Gras Carnival Season and goes through the historic French Quarter district.
• Family Gras - Feb 10, 2012 - 10:00 AM
  Mardi Gras isn't just for the big kids. This family-friendly Mardi Gras is geared toward the children and allowing them to enjoy the Mardi Gras festivities.
• Krewe of Cleopatra Parade - Feb 10, 2012 - 6:30 PM
  Brought to you by the all women's carnival organization, the Krewe of Cleopatra parade is a dazzling and fun Mardi Gras Carnival in the West Bank district.
• Krewe of Endymion Parade - Feb 18, 2012 - 4:15 PM
  This is one of the biggest Mardi Gras Parades so expect there to be lots of beads flying around the Big Easy! The Krewe of Endymion is one of the largest Krewes in Mardi Gras and they know how to do a parade.
• Krewe of Bacchus Parade - Feb 19, 2012 - 5:15 PM
  This is another big New Orleans parade with over 30 floats, marching bands, performers, and more! Top celebrities have been king of the Krewe of Bacchus Parade so expect nothing less for 2012.
• Krewe of Orpheus Parade - Feb 20, 2012 - 6:00 PM
  The Krewe of Orpheus is a music-themed Krewe founded by musicians. Their themed parades give you the authentic Mardi Gras feel with celebrities to tie it all together and make this a must attend parade.
• Zulu Parade - Feb 21, 2012 - 8:00 AM
  The Zulu Parade boasts over 2 dozen floats along with performers, the king and queen, and more. Make sure to try and catch Zulu golden nuggets as they are one of the most sought after Mardi Gras treasures.
• Rex Parade - Feb 21, 2012 - 10:00 AM
  The Rex Parade is known as King of Carnival. This parade is the creme de la creme of Mardi Gras Parades as it is the oldest running parade and is held on Mardi Gras Day.
• Argus Mardi Gras Day Parade - Feb 21, 2012 - 10:00 AM
  The Krewe of Argus Parade has the streets lined with families for this family-friendly Mardi Gras Day Parade on Fat Tuesday. Immediately following this parade is the Krewe of Elks Jeffersonians and the Krewe of Jefferson truck parades to complete Metairie's Mardi Gras Day celebration.

New Orleans will have lots of other events all around town leading up to Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday. To find more events in the Big Easy, visit our list of events in New Orleans. You can also use our guides to find nightlife and restaurants. We hope you enjoy the 2012 Mardi Gras season and all that New Orleans has to offer!