Fri Feb 6 – Sun Feb 8, 2026 • Northshore + NOLA • Times are local (CST)

Hey y’all — this weekend is STACKED (parades + music + markets + a few chill daytime breaks).

Here’s the curated shortlist so you can make plans fast.

Krewe of Eve
When: Friday, 7:00 PM
Where: Mandeville (traditional route)
What: One of the Northshore’s biggest, family-friendly night parades — great throws + small-town Mardi Gras vibes without the chaos.

Krewe of Oshun
When: Friday, 5:30 PM
Where: Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles route)
What: An early-evening roll with bands + dancers — a perfect “start the weekend” parade.

Krewe of Cleopatra
When: Friday, after Oshun (~6:30–7:00 PM)
Where: Uptown / CBD New Orleans (St. Charles route)
What: Big signature floats + heavy throw action. If you’re going into the city Friday, this is the one.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art — “Each One Teach One” exhibition
When: Friday daytime (museum hours)
Where: New Orleans
What: A solid daytime cultural stop before you switch into parade mode.

Crescent City Farmers Market
When: Friday morning + Sunday morning (confirm location/hours for each day)
Where: New Orleans (varies by market day)
What: Stock up before the parade weekend — produce, prepared foods, and local vendors.

Krewe of Tchefuncte Boat Parade
When: Saturday, 12:00 PM
Where: Madisonville (on the Tchefuncte River)
What: Decorated boats cruising the river — super local, super photogenic, super family-friendly.

Krewe of Push Mow Parade
When: Saturday, 12:30 PM
Where: Abita Springs (downtown loop)
What: Weird in the best way — lawn mowers, bikes, homemade contraptions, artsy Carnival energy.

Mystic Krewe of Olympia Parade
When: Saturday, 6:00 PM
Where: Covington (historic downtown route)
What: A Covington signature night parade — classic floats + bands + big crowd energy.

Krewe of Mona Lisa and MoonPie Parade
When: Saturday, 7:00 PM
Where: Slidell (Olde Towne route)
What: Whimsical, creative floats + MoonPie throws. Neighborhood party feel, very Slidell.

Krewe of Pontchartrain + Legion of Mars + Choctaw + Freret
When: Saturday starting ~11:30 AM (back-to-back)
Where: Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles route)
What: If you want one spot, maximum parade time, this is your move.

Shorty Gras 2026 (ticketed)
When: Saturday, 6:30 PM
Where: Mardi Gras World
What: Big live-music party hosted by Trombone Shorty — great “music over floats” night out.

Emo Night: Krewe Du Boo Hoo (ticketed)
When: Saturday, 10:00 PM
Where: Republic NOLA
What: Late-night emo sing-alongs + costumes. Not for the sleepy.

Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise (ticketed)
When: Saturday evening (check departures)
Where: Mississippi River riverfront departure
What: A classic “reset” from crowds — skyline views + live jazz, optional dinner.

Downtown happenings
When: Saturday (varies)
Where: Hammond (downtown area)
What: If you’re Hammond-based, scan downtown listings and venues like Hammond Regional Arts Center for pop-ups and community events.

Krewe of Dionysus Parade
When: Sunday, 1:00 PM
Where: Slidell route
What: Big daytime Slidell energy — great for families and parade-hoppers.

Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale Parade
When: Sunday, 11:00 AM
Where: Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles route)
What: High energy, strong throws — kicks off Sunday Uptown.

Krewe of Carrollton
When: Sunday, 12:30 PM
Where: Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles route)
What: Classic, long-running, rolls right after Femme Fatale.

Krewe of King Arthur
When: Sunday, 1:00 PM
Where: Uptown New Orleans (St. Charles route)
What: Big crowd-pleaser — this one feels “major” without it being peak Mardi Gras madness yet.

Free Family Sunday (low-cost reset option)
When: Sunday daytime (varies)
Where: New Orleans (rotating venues)
What: If your crew is paraded-out, swap to a free/low-cost museum or family activity block.

SUNRISE SHENANIGANS parade-route party (ticketed/cover)
When: Sunday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: The Oak on Saint Charles
What: A comfy base-camp option: food + drinks + solid viewing without fighting for space.

Best Free Options: All street parades (Northshore + Uptown) + farmers market browsing
Best Family Picks: Tchefuncte Boat Parade, Krewe of Eve, Dionysus, Sunday Uptown earlier in the day
Best Date Night Picks: Shorty Gras, steamboat jazz cruise, parade-route base camp parties