French Quarter Events

Our curated list of upcoming neighborhood happenings is updated each Tuesday, so check back often!

Photo: Society of St. Anne parade on Mardie Gras Day, honoring Stuart Auld, 2025, photo by Ellis Anderson for FQJ. See our story about Stuart here.

On the Horizon

FQJ’s favorite neighborhood events – Mardi Gras and beyond!

FQJ’s Don’t Miss List

Special thanks to Mardi Gras New Orleans for creating the cool, shareable parade route maps below!

Saturday, January 30, 7pm

Bohème Parade

Photo: Melanie Cole

  • One of the first parades of Carnival season, Krewe Boheme brings a visual and auditory feast of myster, artistry and fun. After the parade, Boheme hosts the annual Absinthe Ball. 

    ~Theme:  Midnight in the Garden of Absinthe

    ~ Royalty: Helen Gillet

Saturday, January 31, 6:30pm

Krewe Du Vieux Parade

Photo: Shawn Fink

  • ~ The bawdiest of all Mardi Gras parades marches with the 2026 theme: Save the Wet Glands.

    • Theme Float: Krewe du Viuex Saves the Wet Glands

    • Royalty Float: All Hail! Queen Franziska Trautmann

    • 1. Mondu: Is That A Pogy In Your Pocket

    • 2. Spank: Disappearing Landry

    • 3. Comatose: Ice Gets Creamed

    • 4. K.A.O.S.: Magic Hateball

    • 5. Bourbon: Save the Swamp Ass

    • 6. T.O.K.I.N.: Smokes Out Invasive Species

    • 7. L.E.W.D.: Icecapades

    • 8. Mama Roux: Night of the Living Deadzone

    • 9. Drips & Discharges: Whitehaus Grand Ballsroom

    • 10. Inane: Grand Vile Tampon Rodeo

    • 11. Seeds of Decline: Double Dare Detour

    • 12: K.S.A.L.: Indecent Erosion

    • 13. C.R.A.P.S.: Crapocracy 2028

    • 14. Underwear: Pillagers of Justice

    • 15. Spermes: Loves Sloppy Seconds

    • 16. C.R.U.D.E.: Thots and Preyers

    • 17. Mishigas: Kennedy's Remedies

Sunday, February 1, 4:30pm, in the Marginy

‘tit Rex Parade

Photo: 2020 Parade pic by Kerry Maloney

  • From their website:

    ~ Inspired by Bacchus, the father of all super krewes, the creators of ‘tit Rəx asked: in an age when super krewes are setting the bar for larger and larger spectacles, when route consolidation has resulted in epic evenings of parade upon parade, when the size and velocity of throws has become at times physically hazardous to the recipients, could New Orleans not benefit from one krewe that takes the opposite approach?

    ~ Taking their cue from the generations-old, grade-school tradition of decorating shoeboxes to look like Mardi Gras floats, ‘tit Rəx members use shoeboxes as the foundation of their floats.

Friday, February 6, 3pm

Krewe of Cork Parade 

Photo: 2024 Parade by Ellis Anderson

  • ~ 2026 Grand Marshal, Jody Bogle, Queen Adrienne Boothby, King Patrick Van Hoorebeek

    From their website:

    ~ The Krewe’s main event of the year is the Mardi Gras Season parade and weeklong festivities. Parade day, which is always two Fridays before Mardi Gras day.

    ~ Begins with a Bloody Mary Check-in street party in front of the Court of Two Sisters.

    ~ All members get to show off their Cork-themed costumes to their fellow Corkians, as they check themselves in for the rest of the day’s activities.

    ~ The members then enjoy a champagne and wine-filled brunch at The Court of Two Sisters, followed by a parade through the French Quarter.

    ~ The parade is led by The Krewe’s King, Queen and Grand Marshal. After winding through the French Quarter, all the while providing wine and cork-themed throws to the crowds, the parade enters the Royal Sonesta Hotel for a post-parade party hosted by the King and Queen.

Sunday, February 8, 2pm

Krewe of Barkus 

Photo: 2025 Parade by Andrew Simoneaux

  • From their website:

    ~ The only Mardi Gras krewe in New Orleans for the canine population. Founded in 1993, the Mystic Krewe of Barkus is a non-profit organization.

    ~ The Mystic Krewe of Barkus was envisioned and created in November 1992 at a meeting of the Margaret Orr (WDSU-TV Weather Anchor) Fan Club held at Good Friends Bar.

    ~ Thomas Wood brought his dog Jo Jo McWood to the meeting, where people complained about her neurotic ways. To get back at them all, Wood decided to make Jo Jo McWood queen of her parade and captain-for-life.

    ~ Thus, the Krewe of Barkus was born.

  • Below are 50 upcoming events happening in the FQ and surrounding neighborhoods. Want even more? Click the button at the bottom.  
  • For a complete list of live music happenings in the city, check out WWOZ’s Livewire Music Calendar!

  • Join our Readers’ Circle.

  • Have a story idea? Are you a writer with a pitch? Email us.