What to bring
Packing & weather
February in New Orleans is mild on average but genuinely unpredictable - it can swing from a cold, wet morning to a warm afternoon in the same day. Pack layers and rain gear.
66°F
avg high (19°C)
50°F
avg low (10°C)
February averages about 4 inches of rain, so a poncho earns its space in the bag. Cold snaps and warm spells are both normal - dress in layers you can add and shed.
The packing list
- ✓Comfortable broken-in walking shoes - you will be on your feet for hours
- ✓Layers you can add and shed (chilly mornings, warmer afternoons)
- ✓A packable rain poncho - February averages ~4 inches of rain
- ✓A costume, or at least beads to trade - half the fun is dressing for it
- ✓A portable phone charger - service and battery both suffer in big crowds
- ✓A small backpack or fanny pack so your hands are free to catch
- ✓A reusable bag for the throws you will catch (more than you expect)
- ✓Sunscreen for the daytime parades
- ✓Cash - some vendors and bars are cash-only
- ✓Earplugs - the marching brass bands are seriously loud