Mardi Gras in July

Mardi Gras 2026 falls on March 4th, with the season officially starting January 6th. The final two weeks pack the biggest parades and highest prices—hotel rates triple and restaurants require reservations weeks out. Arrive the weekend before Fat Tuesday for maximum chaos, or come mid-January for smaller parades and better deals. Weather in February and March swings wildly—pack layers for 40-degree mornings and 75-degree afternoons. Rain happens, and it turns parade routes into mud pits. Thursday through Tuesday of Mardi Gras week offers the premium experience: Endymion on Saturday, Bacchus on Sunday, then Proteus, Orpheus, and Zulu leading up to Fat Tuesday. But if crowds stress you out, visit the first weekend of February when families dominate and the vibe stays mellow.