Mardi Gras in April
Good time to visit
April kicks off festival season with French Quarter Fest and the start of Jazz Fest. The weather's still manageable before summer's brutal heat arrives. Just watch out for those surprise storms that turn streets into rivers.
Weather
April cranks up the heat and humidity starts its annual assault. Days reach the upper 70s with nights staying pleasantly cool. Spring rains become more frequent and intense - those famous New Orleans downpours that flood streets in minutes.
26°C high16°C low7 rain days
Crowds & Cost
high crowds
~$240/day average
Events & Festivals
- •French Quarter Festival
- •Jazz Fest begins
- •Easter celebrations
April Tips
- •Pack an umbrella for sudden downpours
- •Jazz Fest tickets go on sale - grab them early
- •Crawfish season peaks, so hit up Jacques-Imo's
All Months
Mardi Gras 2026 falls on March 4th, with the season officially starting January 6th. The final two weeks pack the biggest parades and highest prices—hotel rates triple and restaurants require reservations weeks out. Arrive the weekend before Fat Tuesday for maximum chaos, or come mid-January for smaller parades and better deals. Weather in February and March swings wildly—pack layers for 40-degree mornings and 75-degree afternoons. Rain happens, and it turns parade routes into mud pits. Thursday through Tuesday of Mardi Gras week offers the premium experience: Endymion on Saturday, Bacchus on Sunday, then Proteus, Orpheus, and Zulu leading up to Fat Tuesday. But if crowds stress you out, visit the first weekend of February when families dominate and the vibe stays mellow.
Mardi Gras Scores
Solo
8/10
Couples
6/10
Families
6/10
Adventure
4/10
Budget
5/10
Luxury
6/10
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