Book Carnival Season Early for the Best Rates
What Are You Waiting For? Mardi Gras Is More Than One Day!
You don’t have to be here on Fat Tuesday to have a whole lot of Mardi Gras fun. Here’s a little insider tip from those of us who call New Orleans home: Some of the best Mardi Gras memories happen before the biggest crowds arrive.
In 2027, Fat Tuesday falls on February 9th, but the party gets started long before that. If you’re looking to experience the magic of Carnival without paying peak Mardi Gras hotel rates, consider visiting during the weekends of January 22-24 or January 29-31.
You’ll still find fabulous parades, colorful costumes, marching bands, flying beads, and plenty of king cake. And you’ll have more time (and hopefully more money) to enjoy everything else our city has to offer.
All the Mardi Gras Fun. Fewer Crowds.
Trust us, New Orleanians don’t wait until Fat Tuesday to celebrate. Some of our favorite parades roll weeks before the big day.
Early-season favorites include the wonderfully wacky Krewe of Chewbacchus, a sci-fi-inspired celebration of creativity, and Krewe du Vieux, known for its outrageous floats and irreverent humor (definitely more for grown-ups than kids). There’s also the adorable Krewe of Barkus, where costumed canines take center stage in the French Quarter.
As Carnival builds, Uptown favorites like the Krewe of Cleopatra, Krewe of Freret, Krewe of Carrollton, and Krewe of King Arthur bring beautiful floats, marching bands, and enough beads to fill your suitcase.
The best part? You can experience Mardi Gras alongside the locals who look forward to these parades all year long.
Check MardiGrasNewOrleans.com’s parade schedule and plan your visit around the parades that interest you most.
More Money for King Cake and Beignets
Here’s another good reason to come early: Hotel rates are often more reasonable before the final Mardi Gras weekend. And with smaller crowds, you may have an easier time getting into popular restaurants, booking tours, and exploring the French Quarter.
We have some wonderful hotels we’d recommend to our own friends and family, including:
- Hotel Provincial – A charming, family-owned French Quarter hotel with beautiful courtyards.
- Chateau LeMoyne – Historic French Quarter charm with a lovely courtyard and saltwater pool.
- Melrose Mansion – A gorgeous Victorian mansion on Esplanade Avenue near the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street.
- Hotel Villa Convento – An intimate, old-fashioned French Quarter hotel with loads of personality.
- Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome – A comfortable, art-filled hotel convenient to streetcars and downtown attractions.
- The Melody Hotel – A stylish boutique hotel on Magazine Street with spacious suites and plenty of New Orleans character.
You can explore all our favorite places to stay on our New Orleans Hotels page. If you have extra time, consider extending your Louisiana getaway with a stay at the beautiful Inn at Houmas House, about an hour outside the city.
Rates and availability vary, so book early and compare your dates.
Photo: Mardi Gras beignet photo courtesy of Cafe Beignet