Easy answer: New Orleans’ Mardi Gras is in February, or very occasionally early March. Mardi Gras translates directly to “Fat Tuesday,” as it’s celebrated on the Tuesday before Lent (a period of fasting). “Fat Tuesday” is a last hurrah to celebrate excess before an extended period of restraint.
In New Orleans, the festivities around Mardi Gras usually last for a week or two, so if you’re in the city around the end of February, expect it to be busy. Many of the best hotels in downtown New Orleans will be expensive and crowded during Mardi Gras — and likely loud, as the party goes long into the night at nearly every bar.
However, even if you’re visiting outside of that time, you’ll still be able to find plenty of Mardi Gras-themed bars and decor nearly everywhere in the city. Business owners know that Mardi Gras is a uniquely New Orleans tradition that attracts tourists and generally lean into it year-round.