There is never a shortage of things to do in New Orleans with kids, but Mardi Gras takes the (king) cake! If you are looking for family-friendly Mardi Gras events in New Orleans and the surrounding area, we have you covered for 2025!
2025 Guide to New Orleans Mardi Gras Events and Camps
It’s time to bust out the green, purple and gold! Mardi Gras time is here, and New Orleans Mom has the full rundown on all of the events, Mardi Gras camps, and workshops being held in New Orleans and the surrounding areas. Dreaming of sampling all the best king cake? Ready to attend a headpiece-making class? Need a Mardi Gras camp to send the kids for the week off of school? Are you a newcomer to Mardi Gras and the city wondering what this is all about? Look no further! The Guide to New Orleans Mardi Gras Events and Camps is here to make your life as a New Orleans mom easier!
Check out the Mardi Gras event categories included below and jump straight to that section by clicking to see all of the family-friendly Mardi Gras events in and around New Orleans this year!
Mardi Gras Events in New Orleans | Mardi Gras Camps in New Orleans | Mardi Gras Workshops |
Mardi Gras Parades in Greater New Orleans | Alternatives to Mardi Gras
Special Thanks to Our Mardi Gras Guide Sponsors ::
Plush Appeal: The Mardi Gras Spot
Plush Appeal – The Mardi Gras Spot is Your One-Stop Shop for All Things Mardi Gras!
Family-owned and woman-operated, The Mardi Gras Spot has been proudly serving New Orleans for over 35 years.
Looking for Mardi Gras flair for your whole Krewe? We’ve got apparel and accessories for women, men, and, of course, the little ones too!
Now’s the time to deck your home out in purple, green, and gold. From door hangers and garland to tableware and Mardi Party supplies, we’ve got you covered.
And for you lucky parade riders, don’t miss our extensive selection of unique throws, including beads, light-ups, plush, and novelties.
At the Mardi Gras Spot, the party never stops! Visit us year-round at 2812 Toulouse St in Mid-City or shop online at www.mardigrasspot.com. PRO TIP: use promo code “NOLAMOM2025” for 10% off your purchase, in-store or online, now til Fat Tuesday.
Here’s to an unforgettable Carnival Season!
Learn more ::
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Children’s Hospital of New Orleans
Children’s Hospital New Orleans is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, delivered just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Children’s offers a comprehensive array of pediatric healthcare services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, the hospital operates a network of primary and specialty care clinics across Louisiana and Southern Mississippi. Children’s Hospital also serves the community through three dedicated pediatric Emergency Departments in Uptown New Orleans, Metairie, and on the Westbank. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Tulane Medical Center, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital.
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LCMC Health Urgent Care
LCMC Health Urgent Care treats adults and children over 3 months of age. We provide same-day care as well as on-site laboratory testing and digital x-rays so you can start feeling better, sooner. Walk-ins are always welcome!
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FIND LOCATIONS – WALK IN’s WELCOME!
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Mardi Gras Events in New Orleans
Mardi Gras might be one of the best parts of living in New Orleans with kids. Even if you’re hesitant to take your children to parades, there are many kid-friendly Mardi Gras events that celebrate the holiday. You can even make a fun day out of driving around to look at the beautifully decorated homes uptown or simply grab a king cake and enjoy it at one of the city’s many parks!
King Cake Hub
When: January 6th
Where: 1464 S. Broad Street, New Orleans
January 5th: King Cake Hub & Zony Mash will be holding their third annual King Cake Monarch Pageant on Sunday, January 5th from 12 pm – 6 pm at 1464 S. Broad St at Zony Mash. The pageant will take place from 2 pm – 6 pm. On January 6th, from 7 am to 10 am, the newly crowned monarch will cut and hand out the first pieces of king cake for the season to their royal subjects.
King Cake Hub will be open daily from 8:30am until 6:00pm, January 6th to Lundi Gras.
NOLA Throws Inaugural Kick-Off Party
When: January 11th | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Where: 2325 Belle Chasse Highway, Gretna
Join NOLA Throws carnival kick-off party at their expanded store for fun, food, and prizes! There is a free gift for the first 200 people, Lucky Dogs, king cake, and refreshments. They will be having hourly giveaways. More info to be provided here! 10% of the sales that day will benefit The Roots of Music.
When: Saturday, February 15th | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Where: 402 West 3rd Street, Thibodeaux
Come down and participate in the Krewe of King Cake Children’s Parade or just watch it roll! After the parade, there will be live music while you sample some of your favorite king cakes from various bakeries. Vote for your favorite to win the Best of the Bayou King Cake Festival! $10 gets you 5 tastings and 1 chance to vote. Stick around to here the winners be announced at 4 pm! Check the event to purchase tickets and more info.
Algiers Mardi Gras Festival
When: February 1st | 10:00am – 6:00pm (following parade at 9 am)
The return of the popular Algiers Mardi Gras Festival for its fifth-annual Mardi Gras soiree has been announced. The 2025 annual family fun festival will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 10:00 am – 6 pm at Federal City following the parade which kicks off at 9 am. Officials plan to hold a special press conference on January 7, 2025, in Federal City to unveil the official 2025 poster and announce this year’s Grand Marshal along with additional details of the event such as entertainment, food and more.
The 2025 festival will feature an expanded parade route that will navigate through an expanded Algiers neighborhood footprint. Additionally, a friendly competition between K-8 schools in the area has been added, with the winning school with the highest level of participation receiving a school-wide pizza party donated by Pizza Hut.
65th Annual Cub Scout Parade
When: February 15th | 10:00am
Where: St. Christopher School, 3900 Derbigny Street, Metairie
Save the world with Pack 117 by joining them for their 65th Annual Cub Scout Parade. You can sign your organization up here to parade with them for only $10 per child. The parade theme this year is “Calling All Superheros”. Each organization is invited to select a Superhero or Comic related theme they would like to represent. Register here!
Gnarly Gras
When: February 1st
Where: 1709 Corbin Road, Hammond
Join Gnarly Barley Brewing for their annual Gnarly Gras event! Enjoy local food, music, and of course new beer releases. The Pocket Aces Brass Band will be providing some amazing entertainment and there will be a performance from the 610 Stompers! Follow their Facebook for more information.
New Orleans Track Club Mardi Gras 10K/5K
When: Saturday, February 22nd | 6:30am
Where: Intersection of Veterans & N Causeway, Metairie
Celebrate Carnival season with the 7th Annual Mardi Gras 5K and Kids’ Half Mile and new this year, a 10K option! This is a family-friendly run/walk, with the race finishing at the free Family Gras Festival. Light refreshments are available for participants post-race. Additional food and beverages will be available for purchase, and concert admission to the headlining music acts is free and open to the public. Following the Family Gras music festival lineup will be the Magical Krewe of Mad Hatter’s parade along the traditional Veterans Memorial Boulevard route. The Mardi Gras 10K/5K is open to all runners and walkers of all speeds. To register or for more information, please CLICK HERE.
Kenner Gras
When: Saturday, March 1st | 2 pm – 6 pm
Where: Kenner City Park | 3800 Loyola Drive, Kenner
Kenner Gras is a FREE festival that is perfect to bring the whole family to! This fest will take place on the parade route of the Krewe of Isis and Contraflow will provide live music. Krewe of Isis parade to follow at 6 pm.
Jefferson Parish Family Gras
When: February 21st, 22nd, & 23rd
Where: Mardi Gras Plaza | 3300 Veterans Blvd, Metairie
Family Gras is a FREE festival that is perfect to bring the whole family to! Enjoy Mardi Gras parades, authentic local cuisine and art, and outdoor concerts by both national artists and Louisiana favorites. Shop the Art Market to see lots of local vendors showcasing art, photography, jewelry, and more. The Kids’ Court has various activities for kids 12 and younger such as face painting, unique hand-wax art, and interactive games. From the Beach Boys to Amanda Shaw, Family Gras is known for having a huge variety of top talent that the entire family can enjoy!
Rivertown Lundi Gras Bash
When: Monday, March 3rd | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Where: Kenner’s Rivertown
Join in a fun-filled day celebrating Lundi Gras in Kenner’s Rivertown. There will be a second-line parade and toasts as both King Zulu and King Argus meet with their courts. This is a great event and a chance for the kids to see carnival royalty! Enjoy music by The Topcats!
Mambo Midge’s Mardi Gras Market
When: Saturday, January 11th | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Where: Urban South Brewery
The Garden District Bookshop
JANUARY 18 | CARNIVAL TIME IN MY MIND | 11:00 AM
The Garden District Book Shop is kicking off Carnival season with festive story times select Saturdays at 11:00 AM leading up to the festivities. First up is Abby Roniger’s Carnival Time in My Mind.
JANUARY 18 | WHEELS ON THE FLOAT | 1:00 PM
January 18 is a double storytime day at the book shop! Author Monica Vaughn- Flam will be at the shop reading her book The Wheels on the Float at 1:00 PM.
JANUARY 25 | THE LITTLE BEAD TREE | 11:00 AM
Author Erin Rovin will be at the shop at 11:00 AM to read her festive Mardi Gras tale The Little Bead Tree.
FEBRUARY 1 | RISE AND SHINE IT’S MARDI GRAS TIME | 11:00 AM
The Mardi Gras Storytime Series continues February 1 with a festive reading of Alexandra Navarre Davis’s Rise and Shine It’s Mardis Gras Time at 11:00 AM.
FEBRUARY 15 | KING OF THE SHOEBOX PARADE | 11:00 AM
Author Brenda Robert will read her Mardi Gras tale, King of the Showbox Parade, at the shop on February 15 at 11:00 AM.
FEBRUARY 15 | 12 DAYS OF MARDI GRAS | 1:00 PM
Author Melissa Thibault will close out the Mardi Gras Storytime Series on February 15 at 1:00 PM with a reading over her classic tale 12 Days of Mardi Gras.
When: January 3rd – 5th | 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Where: Port Orleans Brewing Company | 4124 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans
When: January 11th | 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Where: Le Cabaret (formerly GrandPre’s) | 934 N. Rampart St, New Orleans
When: January 11th | 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Where: G Smith Motorsports | 10567 Airline Hwy, St. Rose
When: Saturday, February 1st | 9:00 am
Where: 740 Hebert Street, New Orleans
This family-friendly carnival will return to Federal City for its 5th Annual Mardi Gras Festival. Featuring great performers, lots of vendors, great food, and carnival royalty this is a super fun day to kick off the season. The mile-long parade will begin at 9:00 am and feature various marching bands and Mardi Gras Indians.
When: February 22nd | 5:00pm
Where: Mardi Gras World | 1380 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans
The Krewe of Freret will parade through the streets of New Orleans on magical floats with the best marching bands and performers in town, ending its procession at Mardi Gras World, where it will hold its fifth annual ‘Shorty Gras’ … a Mardi Gras ball and a music festival combined into one spectacular event.
Krewe Membership and Event Admission are limited—grab ’em while you can!
Music By: Ja Rule, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Soul Rebels, New Breed Brass Band and special guest Big Boi
Don’t miss this, get your tickets here!
When: February 22nd | 9:00pm
Where: The Sugar Mill | 1021 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans
When: February 8th | 3:00 pm
Where: 618 Derbigny St, Gretna
Winner announced afterwards and receives the same as above PLUS mention in Matt Sheen’s upcoming book about the vegan scene in New Orleans, free vending opportunity at HSLA’s Mardi Gras indoor Paw-rade & dog costume contest & King Cake Pop-up on Feb 15th, and a gift certificate to Breads on Oak!
When: February 8th | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Freret Market | 4421 Freret Street, New Orleans
Bywater Bakery’s 9th Annual King Cake Celebration
When: Saturday, January 25th | 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: 3624 Dauphine Street, New Orleans
44th Annual B’nai B’rith Mardi Gras Mitzva Makers Hospital Parade
When: February 2nd | 9:30 am
Where: Touro Infirmary | 3500 Prytana Street, New Orleans
When: March 2nd | 12:00 pm ’til
Where: 310 Andrew Higgins, New Orleans
Bacchus Bash is back for its 40th annual celebration through the warehouse district. This FREE event is the best 14-hour block party you will ever go to. Kings of Neon, Mannie Fresh, Paperchase, The Topcats, Category 6, plus others will all be performing in this one epic event. Looking to enjoy the day VIP? Tickets can be purchased here.
When: Monday, March 3rd | 11:00 a.m.
Where: Spanish Plaza
Starting at 11 AM, make your way to Spanish Plaza for live music, drinks, delectable cuisine, and more!
When: Wednesday, January 29th, February 5th, & February 12th | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: Ogden Museum of Southern Art
So the kids are home from school for Mardi Gras and you’ve got to work. We know that finding a Mardi Gras camp can be challenging for New Orleans families. Below are Mardi Gras camps that are offering options during the 2025 Carnival season.
JPRD Mardi Gras Camp
When: March 5th – 7th
Where: Cleary Playground Gym | 3700 Civic Street, Metairie
Jefferson Parish Parks & Recreation will be holding their Mardi Gras camp in the Cleary Playground Gym after Fat Tuesday. Campers will enjoy games, crafts, sports, outdoor/indoor activities, movies, special events, and so much more at this fun camp! Click to register for more information.
Kidstrong Mardi Gras Camp
When: March 3rd – 7th
Where: 1200 W Causeway Approach, Ste 16, Mandeville
Kid Strong will be holding their camp the entire week of Mardi Gras for kids ages 5-11 years old. Membership is not required for their special sessions and the perfect time to check out what they’re all about! Unique curriculum that blends learning, movement, and fun through superhero-themed games and ninja courses. Each session is different and focuses on developing or enhancing skills like confidence, physical fitness, teamwork, and more. Two world-class, certified coaches lead every camp session. Only 20 spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call (985) 951-4280 or email [email protected]
Lolo’s Mardi Gras Camp
When: February 28th, March 3rd. 5th, 6th, & 7th | 9 am – 3 pm
Where: 6117 Magazine Street, New Orleans
Lolo’s has you covered this Mardi Gras Break with day camps all week (except for Mardi Gras day) for $90 per child! Join us just for one day or all week for Mardi Gras arts and crafts, Aerial yoga, Dance, mindfulness games, daily savasana, and so much fun!!! We LOVE Mardi Gras and all of the crazy creativity that surrounds it. At Lolo’s we’ve learned how to harness that energy, while staying grounded and chill. So come and join our Krewe this Mardi Gras break! Camp starts for Pre-K aged children and up. Bring your own mat or rent one for $10. Pack a lunch and send your child in clothes they can get messy and stretchy in!
Culinary Kids Mardi Gras Camp
When: March 3rd, 5th, 6th, & 7th | 9 am – 3 pm
Where: 915 Marigny Ave, Mandeville
Wanna bake some homemade moon pies? Cinnamon roll king cakes? Have a breakfast of caramel pecan French toast? How about some chicken and sausage jambalaya? Cajun cooking and more this carnival for ages 5-12, 9am-3pm (extended care available). Science experiments, indoor and outdoor games, visit our chickens and piggie! We let the good times roll in our kitchen! Limit 20 campers per day, $80 plus tax per day includes ALL meals and activities. Register here quickly!
New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts
When: March 5th-7th
Where: 5256 Magazine Street, New Orleans
Join the New Orleans Fine Art Academy for our three-day Mardi Gras Holiday Camp! Engage your kiddos with art over their break from school! This camp is designed for students from ages 4 through 12. There will be 3 groups of 10 campers in ages 4-6,7-9,10-12. Local artisans and experienced youth arts educators make up our impressive faculty. Sign up now as space is limited! Camp runs 9:00 am-3:30 pm Wednesday-Friday. Drop-off will be 9:00-9:15AM. There is no before or after-care. Snacks and drinks will be provided, but they ask each camper to bring their own lunch and water bottles. All art supplies included!
Greater New Orleans Mardi Gras Workshops
If your family is looking for a way to enjoy Mardi Gras outside of parades, below are some fun ideas for Mardi Gras projects and other themed fun in New Orleans!
Ellen Macomber
When: Various dates in February
Where: 727 Camp Street, New Orleans
This Mardi Gras Season join Ellen Macomber for the ultimate costuming experience at the Martine Chaisson Gallery. The Headdress Workshop Series will be held in the gallery amongst Ellen Macomber’s amazing Wearable Art Exhibit. Pick the best time that works, go alone, with friends, or book a private party! If interested in hosting a private workshop please email for more information.
Area Mardi Gras Parades!
There are dozens of Mardi Gras parades in and around New Orleans. For your convenience, we have separated the 2025 Mardi Gras parade schedules into their geographical locations. Almost all of these parades are kid-friendly!
2025 Metairie Mardi Gras Parade Schedule
2025 Northshore Mardi Gras Parade Schedule
2025 Houma and Outlying Areas Mardi Gras Parade Schedule
Traveling for Mardi Gras
Would your family rather pass on the parades? Are you looking for something DIFFERENT to do this Mardi Gras season? Check out all of these great family-friendly destinations that would make for the perfect getaway for the week! If you are looking for trips within driving distance of New Orleans, you can make it happen at the last minute!
- Great Wolf Lodge and Spend Your Next Vacation at Great Wolf Lodge
- Weekend Getaways in Louisiana
- Campgrounds Nearby
- Estes Park, Colorado
- The Smoky Mountains
- Drivable Destinations for Every Budget
- Texas Hill Country
- Florida Panhandle
- Oak Mountain State Park
- Tishomingo State Park
- Disney World
- Oasis Resort
- Jamaica
