Book Mardi Gras Flights to New Orleans — Fat Tuesday February 17
Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 17 — and in, it coincides with Valentine's Day weekend (February 14 is a Saturday), creating one of the highest-demand travel windows of any Mardi Gras in recent years. New Orleans hosts the world's most famous Mardi Gras celebration — a 2-week carnival season culminating in the spectacular Fat Tuesday parades, masquerade balls, and French Quarter revelry.
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Mardi Gras Parade Schedule — When to Arrive
Weekend Before Mardi Gras (Feb 14–15)
Endymion (largest parade), Bacchus, Orpheus
The weekend before Fat Tuesday is the biggest Mardi Gras parade weekend — Endymion on Saturday is the largest single parade in Carnival history, followed by Bacchus on Sunday and Orpheus (founded by Harry Connick Jr.) on Monday.
Lundi Gras — Monday, February 16
Proteus, Orpheus, Zulu — Preview Night
Lundi Gras (Fat Monday) is the day before Mardi Gras. Proteus and Orpheus parade in the evening, giving you a preview of the citywide madness that erupts the following morning.
Fat Tuesday — February 17
Rex, Zulu, Truck Parades — All-Day Event
Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) begins before sunrise with Zulu's parade at 8:00 AM, followed by Rex at 10:00 AM and dozens of truck parades. The French Quarter fills with costumed revellers until midnight, when Carnival officially ends.
Best New Orleans Neighborhoods to Experience Mardi Gras
French Quarter
The historic heart of New Orleans Mardi Gras — Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, and Royal Street come alive with live music, costume contests, and parades. The French Quarter is the centrepiece of Fat Tuesday celebrations.
St. Charles Avenue
The parade route for most major Mardi Gras floats. Locals line St. Charles Avenue with ladders, folding chairs, and coolers days before the parades begin. A more family-friendly experience than the French Quarter.
Magazine Street
A hipper, less crowded alternative to Bourbon Street — Magazine Street's bars, restaurants, and boutiques fill with Mardi Gras celebrants seeking a slightly calmer parade-watching experience.
Frenchmen Street
The authentic New Orleans live music hub — Frenchmen Street's jazz clubs run continuous live sets throughout Mardi Gras season. Less crowded than Bourbon Street, with genuinely world-class jazz, blues, and zydeco performances.
How to Book the Best Mardi Gras Flight Deals to New Orleans
Book Mardi Gras Flights by November
New Orleans accommodation sells out before flights — book both simultaneously by November. Mardi Gras (February 17) is a Tuesday, making the weekend of February 14–17 an extremely high-demand long-weekend travel window that coincides with Valentine's Day.
Fly Into New Orleans (MSY) — Louis Armstrong Airport
New Orleans is served by Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) with direct flights from Atlanta (ATL), Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH), Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), and Miami (MIA) on American, Delta, Southwest, Spirit, and United.
Stay Uptown for Parade Access, French Quarter for Nightlife
If you want to watch parades from a great vantage point, stay Uptown near St. Charles Avenue. If you prioritize nightlife and the French Quarter atmosphere, stay in the French Quarter or Marigny/Bywater neighborhoods.
Mardi Gras Overlaps Valentine's Day Weekend — Book Extra Early
Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday falls on February 17 — just 3 days after Valentine's Day (February 14, a Saturday). The Valentine's Day + Mardi Gras combination creates an exceptionally high-demand travel weekend. Book as early as November or December.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Mardi Gras travel deals and New Orleans flights
When is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) falls on February 17. Mardi Gras is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. The date changes each year based on the date of Easter. Mardi Gras was March 4.
How far in advance should I book Mardi Gras flights to New Orleans?
Book Mardi Gras flights by November. New Orleans hotels sell out months in advance for Mardi Gras weekend, and flights follow suit as the date approaches. The Mardi Gras overlaps with Valentine's Day weekend (February 14), creating an especially high-demand booking period.
What is the best day to fly into New Orleans for Mardi Gras?
Arrive Thursday or Friday the week before Fat Tuesday for the best Mardi Gras experience. This gives you the full weekend of parades (Endymion on Saturday, Bacchus on Sunday, Orpheus on Monday/Lundi Gras) and the Fat Tuesday climax. Arriving just for Fat Tuesday itself means missing the biggest parade nights.
What airlines fly direct to New Orleans for Mardi Gras?
American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United, and Spirit offer direct flights to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) from Atlanta (ATL), Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH), Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), and Miami (MIA).
Is Mardi Gras only in New Orleans?
No — Mardi Gras is celebrated across Louisiana (Mobile, Alabama also has a historic Mardi Gras predating New Orleans), and internationally in Venice (Italy), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Trinidad and Tobago, and many French-speaking Caribbean islands. However, New Orleans is the most famous Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.
What does Mardi Gras mean?
Mardi Gras is French for 'Fat Tuesday' — the tradition of feasting and celebration on the day before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins. Lent is a 40-day Catholic period of fasting and abstinence, so Mardi Gras became the last opportunity to indulge before the fasting season. The celebration has evolved over centuries into a broader cultural festival.
What are beads and throws at Mardi Gras parades?
Mardi Gras 'throws' are items tossed from parade floats to spectators — the most famous being plastic bead necklaces, but also including cups, doubloons (commemorative coins), stuffed animals, and occasionally more elaborate items. Catching throws is a central part of the parade experience. The tradition dates to the 19th century.
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