The Dispatch

Stories & guides from the Carnival beat

Independent reporting, first-timer guides, and updates on doing Mardi Gras well.

A warm, inviting daytime scene of a Mardi Gras parade rolling down a tree-lined St. Charles Avenue in Uptown New Orleans: historic homes and grand oak canopies, families on the neutral ground with ladders and folding chairs, purple-green-gold beads and decorations, a colorful float in the background. Authentic neighborhood feel, not Bourbon Street. Bright, editorial travel-guide style. Purple (#6b21a8) and gold (#c8a23c) accents.

Where to Stay for Mardi Gras 2027: The Best New Orleans Neighborhoods

A local's neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to where to stay for Mardi Gras 2027 in New Orleans - Uptown, the Garden District, the CBD/Warehouse District, Marigny/Bywater, and the French Quarter - with parade proximity, vibe, and booking tips.

Jun 24, 2026

A vibrant New Orleans Mardi Gras parade scene on St. Charles Avenue: an ornate illuminated float rolling under live oak trees, crowds reaching up to catch beads, masked riders tossing throws. Festive Mardi Gras colors - purple #6b21a8, gold #c8a23c, and green. Daytime-to-dusk celebratory atmosphere, joyful and lively.

How New Orleans Mardi Gras Parades Actually Work: Your Complete Insider Guide

From the weeks-long parade season to catching a Zulu coconut on Fat Tuesday, here's everything you need to know about New Orleans Mardi Gras parades - routes, krewes, throws, and insider tips.

Jun 24, 2026