New Year, New Season: Mardi Gras is Coming!

by Rêve Team

What a way to kick off 2026! In New Orleans, we don’t just do "January"—we do Carnival. If you’re ready to trade those New Year’s resolutions for a slice of King Cake and a bag of beads, the energy is already hitting the streets.

Whether you're looking for the historic soul of the French Quarter, a family day at the Baton Rouge Zoo, or a floating party on the Northshore, here is your "boots on the ground" guide to January.

New Orleans & Company. (n.d.). Phunny Phorty Phellows . [Photograph]. https://www.neworleans.com/event/phunny-phorty-phellows/3515/

The Magic of Twelfth Night

The party officially starts on January 6th, also known as Twelfth Night or Epiphany. Because Fat Tuesday falls on February 17th this year, we’ve got a solid month and a half of pure revelry. Clear your schedules; it’s a marathon, not a sprint!

January 6th: The Opening Night Heavy-Hitters

Don’t miss the moment the switch flips from "Holiday Mode" to "Carnival Mode":

Phunny Phorty Phellows (7:00 PM): Catch them riding the St. Charles streetcar—it’s the official "it’s happening!" moment for Uptown.
Société Des Champs Elysée (7:30 PM): Celebrating their 9th anniversary, this crew brings the heat to the N. Rampart/St. Claude line.
Joan of Arc Parade (7:30 PM): A medieval, theatrical masterpiece through the French Quarter. Pro tip: Look for the new route and start time this year!

Don’t Forget the Pelicans!

If sports are more your speed, January is a massive month for our New Orleans Pelicans. The Pels have a packed home schedule at the Smoothie King Center, so grab some tickets and head to the Blender!

Baton Rouge

For the Little Revelers:

Zoo & Me Morning (Jan 10): Perfect for the kiddos (ages 3–5). It’s a great way to let them run wild at the Baton Rouge Zoo before the parade madness begins.
Krewe of Oshun Parade & Festival (Jan 31): This 6th annual community favorite is pure vibrant energy—think colorful floats, live music, and the kind of dancing that only happens in Louisiana.
Mardi Gras Mambo (Jan 31): Lace up those sneakers! Whether you’re doing the 1-mile fun run, the 10k, or the 15k, it’s the best way to earn that extra piece of King Cake.

Visit the Northshore. (n.d.). Krewe of Titans Royal Ball. [Photograph]. https://www.visitthenorthshore.com/event/krewe-of-titans-royal-ball/9606/

Northshore: Parades with a Twist

The Northshore does Carnival with its own unique flavor—and a lot of it happens on the water!

Jan 10 — St. John Fools of Misrule: This is the soul of Covington. Their "Toast & Carnival Kickoff" at the Trailhead is the quintessential local way to start the season.
Jan 10 — Mande Kings Day Parade & Festival: Head to the Mandeville Lakefront for a community-driven party featuring walkers, cyclists, and the famous Mande Milkshakers.
Jan 30 — Krewe of Titans Royal Ball: Get fancy! This year’s theme is Magic, Myths & Miracles. It’s the perfect elegant prelude to their big parade on the 30th.
Jan 31 — Krewe of Bilge Boat Parade: Why parade on the street when you can parade on the water? This Slidell classic proves that if it floats, we can decorate it.
Jan 31 — Krewe of Poseidon: Wrapping up the month in Slidell with their theme The World Is Your Oyster. With 25+ floats, this is the high-energy spectacle you’ve been waiting for.

Whether you’re catching beads on St. Charles, cheering on the Pels at the Blender, or watching the boat parades on the Northshore, January is just the warm-up. This season is a marathon, not a sprint, so grab your purple, green, and gold and get out there. The energy is electric, the King Cake is fresh, and the magic of Carnival 2026 is only just beginning. We'll see you on the route!