Mardi Gras Parade Etiquette: Do's, Don'ts & Local Tips
Mardi Gras parades are colorful, loud, crowded and wonderfully unpredictable—but there is an unwritten rhythm to enjoying them. Locals who have been standing along the same parade routes for years know when to arrive, where to stand, how to catch throws and, perhaps most importantly, how to share the route with everyone around them.
If it is your first Mardi Gras, learning a little Mardi Gras parade etiquette before you go can help you feel less like a visitor and more like part of the celebration.
Some parade etiquette is simply good manners. Other guidelines are actual regulations designed to keep spectators and parade participants safe. Here are the biggest do's, don'ts and local tips to know before you claim your spot along the route.
DO: Arrive Early and Find Your Spot
Popular Mardi Gras parade routes can fill up well before the first float arrives. Arriving early gives you time to find a comfortable location, figure out where nearby restrooms are and get settled before the crowds become dense.
Just remember that public space is still public space.
In New Orleans, regulations prohibit spectators from placing personal belongings on public rights-of-way more than four hours before a parade begins. Items also cannot block intersections, and belongings left too early may be removed by the city or could result in a fine.
Local tip: Getting to know the people around you is part of the experience. Many families return to the same section of a parade route year after year, so introduce yourself, be friendly and respect the space around neighboring groups.
DON'T: Try to Claim an Entire Section of Public Space
One of the quickest ways to break Mardi Gras parade etiquette is treating a section of the neutral ground or sidewalk like private property.
Don't rope off an area or create makeshift barriers to keep other spectators away. New Orleans rules prohibit ropes and other enclosures used to claim public space along parade routes. You can certainly establish a comfortable spot for your group, but expect the crowd to get tighter as parade time approaches.
Local tip: Mardi Gras gets crowded. A little flexibility goes a long way. Making room for the people around you usually creates a much more enjoyable experience for everyone.
DO: Respect Other People's Belongings
You may arrive and see chairs or ladders without anyone immediately standing next to them. Don't automatically move them to create a better viewing spot or sit in them yourself.
Families and groups may be nearby getting food, taking children to the restroom or talking with neighboring groups. Do not to move someone else's chairs or ladders simply because the space appears temporarily unoccupied.
At the same time, everyone should follow current city rules regarding when and where belongings can be placed.
DON'T: Put Your Setup Right Against the Curb
Bringing chairs or a ladder? Know the placement rules.
New Orleans guidance requires ladders to be structurally sound, freestanding, no taller than six feet and positioned at least six feet back from the curb. Ladders cannot be fastened together. Chairs and other personal effects also need to remain at least six feet back from the street curb.
The space helps create an important safety buffer between spectators and moving floats and prevents accidents from happening.
DO: Cheer for Throws
This is one place where being enthusiastic is encouraged. Wave. Cheer. Make eye contact with the riders. And if you want to embrace a classic Mardi Gras tradition, call out:
"Throw me something, Mister!"
Beads may be the most famous Mardi Gras throws, but depending on the krewe, you may also catch cups, doubloons, toys and special signature throws.
Part of the fun is interacting with the riders, so don't be afraid to show some enthusiasm.
DON'T: Fight Over Beads
A handful of beads is not worth starting a fight with the person standing next to you.
Throws can come quickly, and sometimes two people will reach for the same item. If someone else gets it, let it go. There will be another float—and probably another opportunity—in a matter of minutes.
Local tip: Save your biggest excitement for unusual or signature throws. Those are often the pieces people remember long after Carnival ends. It also doesn’t hurt to help those who can’t cheer for themselves and share the love and some throws!
DON'T: Throw Beads Back at the Floats
You catch the beads. You don't throw them back.
"Throwbacks"—tossing beads or other objects back toward float riders—are prohibited in New Orleans and can result in a fine. Flying objects can injure riders and other spectators.
If you don't want your throws, give them to a neighbors or put them in your bag and recycle or donate them later rather than tossing them back toward the parade.
DO: Bring a Bag for Everything You Catch
One of the most practical Mardi Gras parade tips is also one of the easiest to overlook: bring a sturdy bag. It can be tempting to put every strand of beads around your neck, but those beads become surprisingly heavy.
A tote, backpack or other lightweight bag gives you somewhere to stash your throws while keeping your hands free for the next float.
DON'T: Run Into the Street for a Throw
You see a great throw hit the pavement. Your instinct may be to grab it. Don't.
Never run between floats or underneath a float to retrieve beads or another item. Stay behind designated barricades, remain out of the street and avoid going after throws that land near passing floats.
If something falls safely within reach, wait until it is safe to retrieve it.
Local tip: A common parade technique is to put your foot over a throw on the ground until it is safe to pick it up or you can move it to the side.
DO: Let the Marching Groups Do Their Thing
The floats get plenty of attention, but marching bands, dance teams, walking groups and other organizations are a huge part of Mardi Gras.
Give them space.
Don't walk alongside them, join the group, touch performers or cross through their formation. Cheer them on instead. They've often spent months preparing for those few minutes on the parade route.
DON'T: Cross Between Tandem Floats
Never attempt to squeeze between connected or tandem floats.
It can be difficult to judge how the different sections of a float will move, especially in a crowded environment.
When barricades are present, stay behind them and follow instructions from police and parade officials. No throw, shortcut or photo is worth getting hit by a moving float.
DO: Dress for Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is one of those rare occasions when being overdressed can be half the fun.
Purple, green and gold are always at home along the parade route, but you can take the look as far as you want. Sequins, rhinestones, metallics, colorful outerwear and statement accessories all work.
At Mardi Gras Creations, parade-ready looks can include pieces like conductor hats, beanies, scarves, socks, bejeweled gloves, bejeweled neckties, festive clothing and colorful outerwear.
You don't need to wear everything at once. A comfortable base outfit paired with one or two standout Mardi Gras accessories is an easy way to look festive without sacrificing practicality.
DO: Dress for the Weather, Too
Mardi Gras style matters, but so does being comfortable after several hours outside.
Check the forecast before leaving and plan for changing temperatures. Comfortable shoes and layers are especially important for long parade days.
If rain is possible, incorporate rain gear into your outfit from the beginning. A Mardi Gras Creations reversible rain jacket gives adults and kids a festive layer for wet parade days, while a cropped rain jacket can add weather protection without covering your entire Mardi Gras look.
Being prepared for rain means you can keep celebrating instead of heading home when the first drops begin to fall.
DON'T: Bring Everything to the Parade Route
More gear doesn't necessarily mean a better parade day.
In New Orleans, current parade-route regulations prohibit a number of items, including tents, canopies and other enclosures, upholstered furniture, scaffolding, platforms, open flames, gas or diesel generators and pets other than service animals.
Rules can change between Carnival seasons, so always check current city guidance before heading to the route.
Your best setup is usually a manageable one: a chair if needed, a cooler or snacks where permitted and practical, a bag for throws and whatever essentials you can comfortably carry.
DO: Keep Sidewalks and Intersections Accessible
Remember that you aren't the only person trying to navigate the route.
Don't create a setup that completely blocks sidewalks or intersections. Police, emergency personnel, sanitation crews and other spectators need to be able to move through the area.
New Orleans rules specifically prohibit placing personal items in intersections, while public-safety officials ask spectators to stay out of the way of sanitation crews and their heavy equipment after parades.
A good rule of thumb: enjoy your space without making everyone else navigate around it.
DON'T: Forget About Cleanup
The end of a parade can leave behind an astonishing amount of beads, packaging, cups and other debris.
Do your part by collecting your trash and taking your belongings with you. Don't leave chairs, coolers or other items along the route overnight.
If you're not planning to keep all those beads, you can look for an appropriate recycling or donation option instead of leaving them behind as well.
DO: Listen to Police and Parade Officials
Mardi Gras involves an enormous amount of coordination behind the scenes.
If a police officer, first responder or parade official asks you to move, step behind a barricade or clear an area, cooperate.
They're managing crowds, moving floats, emergency vehicles, marching groups and thousands of spectators simultaneously.
Following their directions keeps the parade moving and helps everyone around you stay safe.
Local Mardi Gras Etiquette in One Sentence
If you remember only one thing, make it this:
Have fun without making it harder for everyone else to have fun.
Cheer loudly. Dress boldly. Catch too many beads. Talk to the people around you. Admire the costumes. Dance when the band comes by.
Just respect the route, the riders, the performers, your neighbors and the city hosting the celebration. That's Mardi Gras etiquette.
Mardi Gras Parade Etiquette FAQs
Can you bring chairs to a Mardi Gras parade?
Yes, chairs are commonly used along Mardi Gras parade routes, but placement rules apply. Check your city for current guidelines.
Can you save a spot along the Mardi Gras parade route?
You can establish a viewing area for your group, but you cannot rope off or otherwise enclose public property. Personal belongings also cannot be placed in the public right-of-way earlier than four hours before the parade begins under current New Orleans rules.
Can you bring a ladder to a Mardi Gras parade?
Yes, but many cities have specific ladder rules. Ladders must be structurally sound, freestanding, no taller than six feet and positioned at least six feet back from the curb. Multiple ladders cannot be fastened together.
Is it rude to pick Mardi Gras beads up from the ground?
Not necessarily, but safety comes first. Never rush toward a moving float or bend down where you could put yourself in danger. If a throw lands somewhere safe, a common technique is to place your foot over it and wait until it is safe to pick it up.
