Mardi Gras 2027 So Far: Kings, Themes and Parties Announced
Mardi Gras 2027 So Far: Kings, Themes and Parties Announced
Carnival 2027 starts on 6 January and Fat Tuesday is 9 February, and the krewes are already revealing who rides and what the parties look like. The headline so far: political commentator James Carville will be king of Krewe du Vieux, Iris has chosen "Iris is Golden", and Pygmalion has booked Dustin Lynch for its Convention Center party.[1][2][3] Bacchus has not yet named its king.[5]
| Krewe | What was announced | Source date |
|---|---|---|
| Krewe du Vieux | King: James Carville. Theme: Krewe du Vieux: 40 Years Ragin | 23 Oct 2026 |
| Iris | Queen Edith Pendleton Evans, king Kenneth Eugene Evans Jr. Theme: Iris is Golden | 25 Oct 2026 |
| Pygmalion | Parade 30 Jan; party headliners Dustin Lynch and Two Friends, with Rachii returning | 6 Nov 2026 |
| Barkus | Dolly Parton-inspired parade theme | Listed by WWL-TV |
| Bacchus | Bacchus Sunday is 7 February; king not announced yet | Krewe site |
Krewe du Vieux: Carville as king, 40 years in
NOLA.com reported on 23 October that captain Yvonne Garret named James Carville, 81, king of Krewe du Vieux, ahead of the krewe's 40th annual parade. The theme is "Krewe du Vieux: 40 Years Ragin".[1] Carville, a Louisiana native and longtime political strategist, called it "the real Mardi Gras".
Krewe du Vieux is the adults-only satirical parade that opens the main season. We still list it as tentative for Saturday 23 January 2027; no official date has been confirmed, so check the Krewe du Vieux page and the parade schedule before you plan around it.
Krewe of Iris: "Iris is Golden"
At its Goddess Gala at the Orpheum Theater, the Krewe of Iris crowned Edith Pendleton Evans queen and Kenneth Eugene Evans Jr. king for 2027, and the captain announced the theme "Iris is Golden".[2] See the Iris krewe page for what we know about the parade.
Pygmalion: parade and party on 30 January
The Krewe of Pygmalion's parade is on 30 January, with a party at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center where floats, bands and marching units roll through the venue. Country singer Dustin Lynch (with a DJ set) and the electronic duo Two Friends headline, and Rachii returns. Tickets start at $150 and, per NOLA.com, went on sale Monday 9 November via kreweofpygmalion.org.[3]
Barkus and the Dolly Parton theme
WWL-TV's Mardi Gras section lists a story that the Krewe of Barkus, the dog parade, will pay tribute to Dolly Parton with its 2027 theme.[4] We could not open the full article, so we have no date, route or title here yet. We will add them once an official source confirms them.
Bacchus: the king is still a secret
The Krewe of Bacchus site says Bacchus Sunday is 7 February and asks "Who will be King of Bacchus 2027?", with the reveal still to come.[5] No reveal date has been published.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the king of Krewe du Vieux 2027?
James Carville, announced by captain Yvonne Garret on 23 October 2026.
What is the Krewe of Iris theme for 2027?
The theme is "Iris is Golden", announced at the krewe's Goddess Gala.
Who is performing at Pygmalion Fest 2027?
Dustin Lynch and Two Friends, with Rachii returning. Tickets start at $150.
Who is king of Bacchus 2027?
Not announced yet. The krewe says the reveal is coming.
Dates and times, flagged by how firm they are.
See the 2027 parade schedule →Cover photo: "New Castilo Blanco - Krewe du Vieux 2020" by Bart Everson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources
- NOLA.com: 'Ragin Cajun' James Carville to reign as king of Krewe du Vieux for Mardi Gras 2027 (23 October 2026)
- NOLA.com: Krewe of Iris crowns monarchs, announces 2027 theme at Goddess Gala (25 October 2026)
- NOLA.com: Krewe of Pygmalion announces country, electro pop headliners for Mardi Gras parade after-party (6 November 2026)
- WWL-TV: Mardi Gras news listing (Barkus Dolly Parton theme headline)
- Krewe of Bacchus: official site
More from the Dispatch
New Mardi Gras 2027 Rules: Ladders, Bands, Throws and Start-Time Changes
New Orleans rewrote its Carnival rules this summer. Here is what changes for parade-goers in 2027, from ladder penalties and a four-hour no-parking rule to band limits, a 3.5-pound throw cap and a new fee on krewes.
Carnival Around the World: How Mardi Gras Compares to Venice, Binche, Cologne, Basel, Trinidad and Notting Hill
Mardi Gras is one carnival among many. Here is how New Orleans compares with Venice, Binche, Cologne, Basel, Trinidad and Tobago and Notting Hill on timing, costumes, parades and who gets in free.
The Mardi Gras Price Index: What a Hurricane, a Po-Boy and a Beignet Cost Over Time
We tracked what New Orleans staples cost on archived menus and set them against national inflation. The Hurricane and the po-boy fell behind, the beignet pulled ahead, and the Sazerac matched restaurant prices almost exactly.