Mardi Gras 2026: Final parades, celebrity appearances and stepped-up enforcement across New Orleans
New Orleans entered the final, busiest day of Carnival on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 (ET), with major parades rolling, riverfront traditions underway and large crowds filling streets across Orleans and Jefferson parishes. City leaders and law enforcement emphasized public safety even as revelers chased beads, local traditions and a lineup of celebrity guests.
Parade highlights and celebrity riders
Uptown routes saw long-standing krewes and star-studded floats draw enthusiastic crowds. One of the season’s biggest draws rolled Uptown on the Sunday before Mardi Gras, featuring a former NFL quarterback on a custom float celebrating his recent Pro Football Hall of Fame election. A well-known actor served as Bacchus, the god of wine, presiding over the krewe’s nighttime revelry.
On Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, a longtime local musician won the 56th annual greasing of the poles competition at a prominent hotel, a quirky contest that brings a distinct blend of pageantry and humor to the season. Elsewhere, neighborhood krewes across Metairie and the Northshore added regional flavor: a majority-Asian krewe marked the convergence of Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year by rolling alongside another local krewe, and a paused parade in Covington turned into a surprise proposal along the Krewe of Olympia route.
Parades and street activity were expected to pick up in the late morning, with many major processions on the schedule from around 11: 30 a. m. ET into the afternoon and evening, as communities across the metro area closed out Carnival.
Safety, enforcement and notable incidents this season
Public-safety officials took a firm stance after several enforcement moments earlier in the season. Police removed all riders on one float after complaints of aggressive throwing toward federal agents, prompting a reminder that unsafe behavior will not be tolerated. City leadership has warned that officers will remove, cite or arrest anyone engaging in dangerous or criminal acts along parade routes and that floats can be emptied if a participant’s actions jeopardize public safety.
Wildlife and law-enforcement teams made an arrest early on Feb. 14 after a person carried a live alligator through Bourbon Street crowds and was found in possession of a firearm and drugs. The arrest underscored the risks posed when unconventional stunts intersect with dense, celebratory crowds.
Officials urged revelers to keep public-safety basics in mind: watch children closely, avoid aggressive grabbing from floats, secure personal belongings, and follow directions from uniformed personnel. With packed routes and an uptick in out-of-town visitors, enforcement measures were framed as safeguards to protect both participants and spectators.
Tradition, community and the wider Carnival season
Mardi Gras remains an indulgent conclusion to Carnival, coming directly before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. The season features a mix of long-standing rituals—bead throwing, ornate floats, marching krewes—and local customs such as greasing poles and riverfront observances. Across Orleans and Jefferson parishes, neighborhoods leaned into the communal aspects of Carnival, from family-focused parades to late-night musical showcases in the French Quarter.
Mayor Helena Moreno and other civic leaders have been visible throughout the season, attending several parades and urging a balance between celebration and responsibility. As the city moves through Mardi Gras Day, leaders reiterated the importance of preserving tradition while keeping streets safe and navigable for everyone.
As Carnival winds down, officials and residents alike will assess the season’s events, enforcement outcomes and public-safety lessons, looking ahead to next year’s celebrations with an eye toward both revelry and restraint.
