Mardi Gras in December
Good time to visit
December brings holiday magic to New Orleans with perfect weather and festive celebrations. Reveillon dinners and Christmas decorations transform the city into something special. Just expect to pay premium prices for the privilege.
Weather
December maintains the pleasant fall weather with temperatures in the upper 60s and comfortable humidity levels. Cool mornings warm to perfect afternoon temperatures. Rain stays minimal, and the occasional cold front brings genuinely chilly weather that locals celebrate.
19°C high9°C low8 rain days
Crowds & Cost
high crowds
~$250/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Christmas celebrations
- •Reveillon dinners
- •Bonfires on the Levee
- •New Year's Eve in the Quarter
December Tips
- •Book Reveillon dinner reservations months ahead
- •New Year's Eve rivals Mardi Gras for French Quarter crowds
- •Pack layers - December weather can swing from cool to warm
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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