You’ve probably noticed that Mardi Gras feels a little bit like a moving target. One year you’re freezing in a costume in February, and the next you’re sweating through a synthetic wig in the humid New Orleans sun. Well, if you’re looking at the calendar for this year, get ready for a late one.
When is Mardi Gras this year 2025? Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Because Fat Tuesday is on the doorstep of spring this time around, the entire Carnival season is stretched out. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. While the "Day" itself is March 4, the party actually starts way back on January 6 (Three Kings Day). That gives us nearly two full months of king cake, glitter, and questionable life choices.
The Math Behind the Madness
Why does the date move? Honestly, it’s all about the moon. Mardi Gras is always exactly 47 days before Easter. Since Easter is determined by the paschal full moon, Fat Tuesday can land anywhere between February 3 and March 9.
In 2025, Easter falls on April 20. Back up 47 days, and you land right on March 4.
For the locals in Louisiana, a late Mardi Gras is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you get more weekends of parades. More time to eat your weight in Dong Phuong king cakes. On the other hand, by the time the Zulu and Rex parades roll on Fat Tuesday, everyone is basically a zombie.
Why the 2025 Schedule is Unique
Because the season is so long this year, the "ramp-up" period is much more gradual. Usually, when Mardi Gras is in early February, the parades are back-to-back with no breathing room. This year, you’ve actually got time to recover between the early krewes like Krewe du Vieux (which rolls February 15) and the heavy hitters.
If you’re planning a trip, the "Main Event" window is Friday, February 21, through Tuesday, March 4. This is when the "super-krewes" like Endymion and Bacchus take over the streets.
Major Parades You Can't Miss in 2025
The 2025 schedule is packed. Since the weather in early March is usually gorgeous—think 70 degrees and breezy—the crowds are going to be massive.
- Saturday, February 15: Krewe du Vieux. This is the "adults only" parade in the French Quarter. It’s satirical, lewd, and brilliant.
- Friday, February 21: The season shifts into high gear with Krewe of Cleopatra and Oshun on the Uptown route.
- Thursday, February 27: Muses. This is the one where everyone fights over hand-decorated glittery shoes.
- Saturday, March 1: Endymion. It’s one of the only parades that doesn't follow the standard Uptown route; it rolls through Mid-City and it is absolutely gargantuan.
- Sunday, March 2: Bacchus. They have celebrity kings and some of the best floats in the world.
- Monday, March 3: Lundi Gras. This is the day before the big day. Go to the riverfront for the meeting of the Rex and Zulu kings.
- Tuesday, March 4: Mardi Gras Day. Start at 8:00 AM with Zulu, followed by Rex.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Date
There’s a common misconception that Mardi Gras is just a single Tuesday. In reality, in New Orleans, Mobile, and across the Gulf Coast, it’s a lifestyle.
If you show up on Wednesday, March 5, you’ll find nothing but street sweepers and people with hangovers heading to church for Ash Wednesday. The party ends at the stroke of midnight on Tuesday. The police literally ride horses down Bourbon Street to clear the crowds. It’s over. Period.
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Also, don't just focus on New Orleans. Mardi Gras! Galveston in Texas and the celebrations in Mobile, Alabama (where the first American Mardi Gras actually happened—sorry, NOLA) have their own schedules that mirror the 2025 March 4 climax.
Survival Tips for the March 4 Finish Line
A late Mardi Gras means warmer weather, but it also means more tourists. Here is how to actually enjoy it:
- Hydrate like it’s your job. March in the South can get humid. If you’re drinking daiquiris at noon, you need a gallon of water by 4:00 PM.
- Download a tracker. Use the WWL or WDSU parade tracker apps. They show you exactly where the "head of the parade" is so you aren't standing on a corner for three hours wondering if the tractors broke down.
- The "Shoe" Strategy. If you want a Muses shoe or a Zulu coconut, don’t scream. Make eye contact. Bring a kid. Riders love giving the good stuff to the little ones.
- King Cake Rules. Do not eat the baby. If you find the plastic baby in your slice, you’re buying the next cake. It's the law of the land.
Actionable Next Steps
If you haven't booked your hotel for the week of March 4, 2025, do it today. Prices skyrocket the closer we get to February. If New Orleans is too expensive, look at Metairie or even the Northshore—the commute is a pain, but the savings are real.
Check the official 2025 parade routes on the city's website, as construction sometimes forces last-minute detours. Most importantly, start working on your costume now. In a year where Mardi Gras falls this late, the "spring break" energy is going to be off the charts. Be ready.
Quick Reference for 2025:
- Carnival Begins: January 6, 2025
- Peak Parade Season: Feb 21 – March 4, 2025
- Mardi Gras Day: March 4, 2025
- Ash Wednesday: March 5, 2025