Mardi Gras at Tulane University

We recognize that Mardi Gras is a unique aspect of life in New Orleans, so OGPS developed this guide specifically with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in mind. We wanted to ensure that we covered family-friendly events, events in the Greater New Orleans area, and tips for first-time Mardi Gras attendees. This includes logistical matters such as getting between campuses, staying safe, and having fun!

Let the Good Times Roll!

 

The origins of Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday), can be traced to Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries through the French House of the Bourbons. The first American Mardi Gras was celebrated in Mobile, Alabama, in 1703, but has since become a staple of New Orleanian culture throughout the 19th century. In the modern era, Mardi Gras is a celebration of culture marked by a multitude of parades run by various social Krewes. For more information on all things Mardi Gras, this site answers many questions regarding the origins and culture of New Orleans Mardi Gras. 

The Mardi Gras season begins on Twelfth Night, January 6th, and runs until Fat Tuesday, which has a variable date but is always the day before Ash Wednesday. While the date itself is variable, the season often runs until mid-February to early March. In 2025, Mardi Gras day falls on March 4th, but many parades and festivities occur in the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras day. 

Mardi Gras is celebrated throughout the Coastal South, with parades and balls occurring in towns and cities across southern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. In New Orleans, festivities can be found throughout every neighborhood and surrounding parishes. 

You may have noticed someone in your lab or office bring in a large, ring-shaped cake covered in green, yellow, and purple colorings - in other words, a king cake! King cake season runs from January 6th (also known as Twelfth Night or the Epiphany in the Christian faith) to Mardi Gras day, and it is uncouth to eat them at any other point in the year. This tradition is believed to have been brought over from France in the 1870s as a simple ring of dough with a small amount of decoration.

The basic king cake is often a bready base flavored with cinnamon and sugar, topped with icing and/or sprinkles in the traditional Mardi Gras purple, green, and gold (which stand for justice, faith, and power, respectively). However, many bakeries have their own spin on the classic king cake flavorings and experiment with different flavors of cream cheese and fruit fillings. The King Cake Hub partners with over 20 local bakeries that each offer a multitude of flavors of king cakes, including some vegan and and gluten free options. The best king cake is often the topic of intense local debate, with various brackets and tasting opportunities popping up every year. 

Most king cakes will have a small plastic (or porcelain, sometimes even gold) baby nestled somewhere in the cake. Tradition holds that the person who receives the slice with the baby must bring the next king cake to keep the delicious cycle going! 

For some reading material on the diverse nature of these sweet delicacies, Matt Haines wrote The Big Book of King Cakeentirely dedicated to celebrating king cakes and the bakers who make them. 

Yes! You can find an up-to-date parade schedule here. The best way to keep up with the parades is to download the WDSU Parade Tracker app on your phone. This app will tell you when parades begin to roll separated by neighborhood, with live parade tracking and weather updates. 

Have kids? Hosting family? Not in the mood for raunchy behavior? No problem! Mardi Gras has something for everyone, and that includes plenty of family-friendly events. The most family-friendly areas to enjoy the Uptown parades are between Napoleon Avenue and Jackson Avenue. Here is a local guide to enjoying Mardi Gras with kiddos! Additionally, Metairie hosts "Family Gras" two weekends before Mardi Gras. This free event has an abundance of face painting, games, and concerts, with various parades rolling directly next to the festivities, promising a fun and festive time appropriate for all ages.   

We highly encourage you to plan meals ahead of time; restaurants fill up quickly during the thick of the season and often close on Lundi Gras (Monday) and Mardi Gras. Most shops, including grocery stores, are closed at least on Mardi Gras Day. Additionally federal services such as the US Post and the courts are closed - that's how seriously we take our festivities! 

Mardi Gras parades are always free to view, so while you do not need to account for tickets to the parades, you should keep some cash on your person, as bathrooms often come with a small price. 

Due to the highly dense nature of Mardi Gras, it is not uncommon for pickpocketing to occur. Many parade-goers utilize fanny packs to keep their items close at hand and under close watch. Some recommended fanny pack items are: 

  • Cash 
  • One credit card
  • A copy of your Insurance card 
  • A form of ID 
  • Tulane Splash Card 
  • Portable charger 
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Band-aids

You've done all the necessary preparation, the day has come, and now you're finally watching as parades roll past your eyes. What now? Now, you can focus on catching throws from the floats, which can include, doubloons, beads, cups, trinkets, toys, and packaged snacks. 

Beads are by far the most common parade throw and we guarantee that you will catch far more than you know what to do with. Beads are variable in design and quality, with the most common being a simple plastic beaded necklace, with fancier beads being made of glass beads or including Krewe ensignias and lights. You don't have to keep every bead that you throw, and we highly recommend leaving beads that dropped on the ground on the ground due to sanitary reasons. There will be plenty more to catch!

Doubloons are some of the longest-standing throws, first introduced as Rex medallions in 1884. These plastic coin throws depict the parade theme on one side and the Krewe's emblem on the other, and have cemented themselves as a Mardi Gras collector's items. Exercise caution if you are picking a doubloon up off the ground; many paradegoers stomp on doubloons to claim then, so be sure to keep your fingers out of harms way!

Many Krewes have a highly sought-after specialty throw, that are individually decorated and require some ingenuity and luck to receive. Some of these throws include the Zulu coconuts, Muses shoes, Alla genie lamps, and many more. Check here for a complete overview of what throws to expect from each Krewe. If you don't get a speciality throw this season, don't worry; you can always try again next year! 

Costumes are encouraged to wear at all Mardi Gras Festivities! Visit some of the various costume shops around town for any variety of glitter and sequins you may be craving. You can pick a theme and dress to the nines or just add some purple, green, and gold glitter to your everyday wear, but be sure to engage and enjoy yourself and all the festivities!

Tulane University offers several shuttles to and from the uptown parade routes. The Green Wave Line will end service after the 5:08 PM stop at the Small Center. Tulane shuttle services will NOT run on Lundi Gras (Monday, March 3rd) and Mardi Gras (Tuesday, March 4). Regular shuttle service will resume on Wednesday, March 5th.

For graduate students living downtown, the area will get very densely populated over the Deep Gras period and it will be very difficult to get into and out of the area with ease. Rideshares, such as Uber and Lyft, will be expensive due to high demand, and many of the usual RTA transit systems will have altered schedules and routes to accommodate this period. If you rely on any of these to get to and from campus, be sure you know what changes will be made and plan accommodations accordingly.  

New Orleans has intensified security measures for Mardi Gras 2025, especially following recent incidents. The event has been designated as a Level One Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR-1), bringing in federal resources and increased law enforcement to ensure public safety. 

There are now bans on tents, tarps, all enclosures, sofas, scaffolding, viewing platforms, portable toilets, gas generators, and open flames, like used in charcoal and gas grills. For more information and details, please click here.

Legal Assistance: If you encounter legal issues during the Mardi Gras season, you can access the Tulane Legal Assistance Program attorney by calling 504-534-5406.

  • Parking Tickets: Everyone knows that the New Orleans traffic police presence is not a force to be reckoned with even during normal times, and parking scrutiny increases during this period. Always be sure that you are parking legally, without double parking, not parking on neutral grounds (medians), not blocking any driveways, not within 20 feet of a curb corner, not too far from the curb, or not parking on the parade routes within three hours of a parade. Always keep an eye out for temporary "no parking" signs
  • Public Nudity: There is a myth that people must expose themselves to receive beads from floats or balconies; on occasion, some parade riders may ask for indecent exposure in exchange for beads. This is false and an unwarranted ask from riders. You will receive plenty of beads fully clothed. Additionally, though cheap bathrooms may be scarce, it is never appropriate to urinate in public, Many porta-potties require a small fee, so always have some cash or Venmo on hand for an easy (and fully legal) bathroom experience. 

Parade Etiquette:

  • Crossing the Street: Never attempt to cross between floats or marching bands during a parade. This is dangerous and can be fatal.
  • Respect for Performers: Marching bands, often composed of students who have trained extensively, require the full width of the street. Always heed instructions from parade officials and chaperones to ensure everyone's safety.

Setup and Personal Belongings:

  • Timing: Personal items such as folding chairs, tables, tents, and ladders should not be placed on public property earlier than four hours before the start of a parade.
  • Placement: Ensure that ladders are structurally sound and placed at least six feet back from the street curb. Do not fasten ladders together or leave them on neutral grounds, curbs, or sidewalks overnight.
  • Respecting Others: Be mindful of other attendees' setups. If you need to navigate through another group's area, do so courteously. Sharing space is common, and it's a great opportunity to connect with fellow parade-goers.

Group Safety:

  • Stay Together: Attend parades with a group and establish a clear meeting point in case members get separated.
  • Communication: Due to potential network congestion, have a pre-arranged plan for communication and an emergency strategy for regrouping or returning home.

Alcohol Consumption:

  • Drink Responsibly: It's easy to overindulge during festivities. Pace yourself, stay hydrated with water, and consume nutritious meals to maintain energy levels.
  • Container Regulations: While New Orleans permits open containers in certain areas, glass containers are prohibited along parade routes. Opt for plastic cups or cans instead.