A five-holiday mashup hits New Orleans
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The leviathan dragon float rolls Monday in the Orpheus parade. Photo: Skip Bolen/WireImage
All the holidays collide this weekend in New Orleans — Friday the 13th, Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day, Presidents Day and Lunar New Year.
Why it matters: It's your own fault if you're bored.
The big picture: Friday brings superstitions, Greasing of the Poles, Galentine's lunches and Carnival parades.
- Saturday is Valentine's Day and more parades.
- Monday is Presidents Day and Lundi Gras.
- Tuesday is Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year.
Zoom out: Several celebrities are in town for Mardi Gras festivities, including Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, Noah Wyle, Joey Fatone, Soledad O'Brien and Patrick Warburton.
Mardi Gras parades and events
Friday
- 10am: Greasing of the Poles in the Quarter.
- 11:15am: Bosom Buddies in the Quarter.
- 2pm: Flyday the 13th parade in the Quarter.
- 3pm: Cork in the Quarter.
- 5:30pm: Hermes on the Uptown route, followed by d'Etat and Morpheus.
Saturday
- 10:45am: NOMTOC on the Westbank.
- 11am: Iris on the Uptown route. Tucks follows.
- 2pm: Lafcadio in the Quarter.
- 4pm: Endymion in Mid-City.
- 6pm: Isis in Kenner. Kenner Gras is in Kenner City Park from 2 to 6pm.
- 8pm: M.O.M.s Ball at Second Line Stages.
- 9pm: Dad's Ball at the House of Blues.
Sunday
- 11am: Okeanos on the Uptown route, followed by Mid-City. Thoth rolls after on a longer route.
- 5:15pm: Bacchus on the Uptown route. Actor Patrick Warburton is the celebrity monarch.
- 6pm: Athena in Metairie.
Monday
- 10am: Lundi Gras Festival in Woldenberg Park.
- 2pm: Red Beans in the Bywater and Marigny.
- 5:15pm: Proteus on the Uptown route, followed by Orpheus. Actor Noah Wyle is Orpheus' celebrity monarch this year.
- 6pm: Centurions in Metairie, followed by Atlas.
Tuesday/Mardi Gras Day
- 8am: Zulu.
- 10:30am: Rex, followed by Elks Orleans and Crescent City truck parades.
- 11am: Argus in Metairie, followed by Elks Jeffersonians truck parade.
Other things to do
💪🏼 Tattoo and piercing specials for Friday the 13th at Lucky Dagger, Downtown Tattoos, Electric Expressions, WK Tattoo, Art Addiction and Live Canvas Tattoo Parlour.
💘 Valentine's parties at The Broadside, Banks Street Bar, Cat's Meow, Southport Hall and Whiskey Cowboy Saloon.
- Toulouse Theater has a fetish-themed dance party.
🐎 Preview the Louisiana Derby on Saturday at the Fair Grounds.
🐴 Lunar New Year starts Tuesday. Celebrate Feb. 20-22 at Tet Fest at Mary Queen of Vietnam Church.
⛷️ Olympics: Tulane alum Jared Firestone competes Friday at 12:30pm Central in a skeleton race.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with the Krewe of Lafcadio's schedule.