While many parts of the United States settle into a quiet post-New Year’s routine, New Orleans is an exception, with celebrations continuing for months to come. Winter is a great time to explore the city, especially if you prefer a climate that avoids the heat and humidity experienced in Louisiana’s summers.
9 things to do in New Orleans in winter, including Mardi Gras
New Orleans’ continuous variety of experiences makes it an attractive destination all winter long. If you’re here in December, check out this article. christmas event. If you’re planning a post-holiday trip, check out these great things to do in New Orleans this winter.
1. Luna Fett, December 7th – December 10th
LUNA Fête, New Orleans’ annual festival of light, art, and technology, is the longest-running projection mapping festival in the country. This event, sponsored by Arts New Orleans, is designed to showcase the transformative power of the arts within the community. The free festival attracts over 100,000 diverse participants and celebrates the city’s creative industries.
Since its launch in 2014, LUNA Fête has featured top international artists and trained over 250 local artists and over 60 young people through LUNA Studio to create large-scale, interactive art using light. I have improved my creation skills. The 2023 edition is scheduled for December 7th to 10th.
2. Big Night New Orleans New Year’s Eve, December 31st
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Big Night New Orleans, the city’s biggest celebration at Mardi Gras World. The event will feature multiple themed party areas, casino games, a silent disco, and live music from local bands and DJs. Enjoy an open bar with local snacks and a variety of drink options, depending on your ticket level.
Dress code is formal or festive. Tickets include options such as all-inclusive, late entry, and VIP, and each attendee will receive a party favor. Please check the official website for details. Participants must be over the age of 21 and all must be present at check-in. ticket Can be purchased on the website.
3. 90th Annual Allstate Sugar Bowl, January 1st.
90th annual sugar bowl classic The College Football Playoff semifinals will be held on January 1, 2024, and will be broadcast live on ESPN from Caesars Superdome starting at 7:45 p.m. Participating teams selected by the CFP selection committee will be announced on December 3rd. With 28 national champions, 100 Hall of Fame players, 51 Hall of Fame coaches, and 20 Heisman Trophy winners, the Allstate Sugar Bowl is renowned as the best college football game.
4. Mardi Gras Carnival Season
Many people think of Mardi Gras as a large, short parade that takes place over one or two days in New Orleans in February, but the celebrations actually begin much earlier. Various festivals are held over a month-long period, and Mardi Gras Day occurs 47 days before Easter, so it changes each year depending on when Easter falls. The origins of this festival date back several centuries and were brought to New Orleans by the French. The idea is to party and feast until Mardi Gras day, also known as Fat Tuesday.
5. Twelfth Night and King Cake, January 6th
January 6th, the 12th night of Christmas, marks the beginning of the Carnival season. It is also called the Feast of the Epiphany. It also means king cakes and plastic babies. I think it’s a sweet candy that tastes similar to cinnamon rolls. Traditionally, it has the shape of a large ring or “crown”, hence the name. The top is covered in Mardi Gras colors: purple, green, and gold. There is a small plastic baby hidden inside, and if you find the baby, you are supposed to offer the next king cake. Bakeries are often fully booked with orders, and every year a contest is held to determine which bakery makes the most delicious cakes.
If you want to experience a Mardi Gras parade but don’t want to pay the increased hotel rates in February, now is the time to catch some of the krewe’s shows. The Joan of Arc parade runs through the French Quarter and the Société des Champs-Elysées arrives at Place Saint-Marc. Claude Avenue streetcar. Uptown, the St. Charles streetcar becomes the Fanny Portyfellows’ festive route, and then the Funky Uptown and his crew join in the celebration.
6. Chewbacchus’ Galactic Crew, January 20th
Mardi Gras has officially begun, and January 20th is the perfect Mardi Gras parade and party for sci-fi geeks. Boasting 900 members and his over 150 sub-crew, it pays homage to science fiction, fantasy and horror. With an emphasis on self-sufficiency, their Mardi Gras parade will feature nearly 100 of his homemade contraptions, all propelled by hand with no engines.
Don your best sci-fi themed costumes and expect to catch unique handcrafted and decorated throwables, including Frisbees, bandoleers, bean bags, stuffed animals, and more. You can visit. Chewbacchus’ Galactic Crew Please visit the official website for more details.
7. Clous de Vieux, January 27th
A major krewe parade centered around an early satire of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras. However, less controversial themes, such as myths and historical events, gained prominence over time. In the second half of the 20th century, satire reappeared among small-scale walking crews, the Crew du Vieux being a notable example.
Founded in 1987, it incorporates wild satire and adult themes, presenting top-notch brass and jazz bands in a parade through the Marigny and French Quarter, ending with an official ball on the evening of January 27, 2024 To do. This parade is just a joke. Everyone can relate, so it’s best to leave easily angry people at home. See below for more information. Clous de Vieux website.
8. First weekend parade in February, February 2-4.
Cleopatra’s Krewe Parade begins Friday the 2nd at 6:30 p.m. This Mardi Gras club was founded in 1972 as the West Bank’s first women’s carnival club. For 31 years, Cleopatra started a calendar of subway parades leading up to Fat Tuesday. The crew’s theme revolves around Cleopatra’s timeless beauty, with Egyptian motifs reflected in the design of the captain’s mini-float and the Queen’s barge during the parade through the uptown and CBD districts .
On Saturdays at 11:30 a.m., you can find the Ponchartrain crew following a route similar to Cleopatra’s. and Sunday, the Carrollton crew will depart at 12 p.m. This groundbreaking crew achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first to employ a tractor instead of a traditional mule cart to pull the floats. Adding a unique local touch to the parade experience, it features unique throws such as hand-decorated shrimp boots.
9. Barkus Crew — For Dog Lovers, February 4th
If you’re an animal lover, be sure to check out this Mardi Gras event taking place on Sunday, February 4th at 2pm. At 2 p.m., dogs will be the center of attention in this unique Mardi Gras parade, with their owners serving as escorts. french quarter. This began in his 1992 as a playful response to complaints about dog behavior during fan club meetings. The following year, Barkus’ Mystic Krewe was founded and evolved into a non-profit organization supporting animal causes. This licensed Mardi Gras krewe invites dogs to join. Registration details are available on the websitealso hosts the Berkus Royal Ball for humans.
10. A week of Mardi Gras parades
The parade begins to pick up steam as we approach our ultimate goal of Fat Tuesday in February. Starting on the 8th, the parade will be held every day until February 13, 2024. This year’s Mardi Gras will be held a little earlier than in years past. The festival kicks off on Thursday at 6:30pm with the Crew of Muses, an all-female group based on the nine muses of Greek mythology, and you can expect a unique event.
The following days, various crews are spotted around New Orleans during the day and night. You can grab some folding chairs and set up on the parade route a few hours before the parade starts, or you can just go with the flow of the crowd. The following days, various crews are spotted around New Orleans during the day and night. You can grab some folding chairs and set up on the parade route a few hours before the parade starts, or you can just go with the flow of the crowd.
