If you’re looking at a wedding date in late January or February, you’ve probably wondered whether Mardi Gras will get in the way. Around here, Carnival isn’t a single day. It runs from Twelfth Night on January 6 to Fat Tuesday, with parades and balls nearly every weekend in between.
At Fleur de Lis Event Center in Mandeville, we host weddings straight through Carnival season, and we host Mardi Gras balls too. Here’s what actually affects a Carnival-season wedding and how to plan around it.
The short answer: yes, with a little planning
Carnival is one of the best times of year to get married on Louisiana’s Northshore. The whole area is in a celebrating mood. Out-of-town guests get a taste of a season they’ve only heard about, and you can borrow traditions everyone already loves. Most of the planning is about your guests: getting here on parade nights, finding hotel rooms and knowing what to expect.
Key Carnival dates for 2027
- Carnival begins: Wednesday, January 6, 2027
- Busiest weekends: January 29–31 and February 5–9
- Mardi Gras: Tuesday, February 9, 2027
- Ash Wednesday: February 10, 2027
Planning further out? Mardi Gras 2028 falls on Leap Day, Tuesday, February 29. Carnival 2028 runs longer, and its busiest weekends land in mid-to-late February.
The parade that matters most here: Krewe of Eve
The parade most likely to affect your guests is the Krewe of Eve. It rolls through Mandeville at 7 p.m. on the second Friday before Mardi Gras. Its route runs along Highway 190 through town, and parade traffic and road closures can slow guests driving to us that evening. In 2027, that should be Friday, January 29. Confirm it once the parade schedule is announced.
If you’re considering that Friday:
- Think about a later start time. In our experience, later start times are less affected by parade traffic.
- Tell your guests. Put a note on your wedding website or an invitation insert so guests leave extra time.
- Ask when you check your date. We’ll tell you whether your date is Eve night.
Covington, Madisonville, Abita Springs and Slidell have their own parades too. They matter less for getting to us, but they can affect guests staying in those towns.
Guests coming from the Southshore
For guests driving over from New Orleans or Metairie, Southshore parade traffic can be the bigger issue. On major parade nights, getting to the Causeway can take much longer than usual, especially during the final weekend before Mardi Gras. If many of your guests are coming across the lake, give them a heads-up.
Hotel rooms go fast
Carnival is peak season for New Orleans hotels, and the last weekend before Fat Tuesday is one of the busiest of the year. If you have out-of-town guests, set up a room block early. Consider hotels in Mandeville or Covington so guests aren’t crossing the lake on a parade night.
Book brass bands early
Carnival is the busiest season for local musicians, and brass bands are in heavy demand for balls and parties. If you want a live band to lead your second line, book it as early as you can.
If you’re marrying in the church, watch Ash Wednesday
Carnival ends where Lent begins. Many Catholic parishes discourage or restrict weddings during Lent. If you’re planning a church ceremony and a February date, check whether your date falls before Ash Wednesday, and ask your parish about its policy.
Plan for February weather
Late January and February can be cool, damp or beautiful, sometimes in the same week. If you’re holding your ceremony with us, each ballroom has its own indoor ceremony setting. Moving an outdoor ceremony inside because of weather doesn’t add a ceremony charge. See our Ceremonies & Rain Plan page.
Yes, you can have king cake
Outside desserts are welcome at Fleur de Lis as long as they’re commercially made, and that includes king cake. Put one on the dessert table or serve it in place of a groom’s cake. Let your coordinator know what’s coming and when it will be delivered. If your wedding is just after Fat Tuesday, order ahead, because most bakeries stop making king cake once Carnival ends.
Add a second line
Nothing says Carnival like a second line. We coordinate second lines regularly and keep umbrellas on hand for guests to wave. If you book our in-house DJ, second-line music is part of the DJ service. If you’d rather have a brass band lead it, outside bands are welcome and booked separately. Your coordinator handles the timing, so the second line becomes a highlight instead of a scramble. Some couples give out personalized umbrellas or handkerchiefs as favors. For more ideas, see Second Lines, Money Dances and Send-Offs.
We host Mardi Gras balls, too
Carnival is also ball season. If your krewe, or a family member’s, is looking for a venue, see our Mardi Gras Balls page.
Check your date
If you’re hoping for Carnival 2027, it’s only a few months away, so check availability now. Prices vary by date: our most-requested dates cost more, and quieter dates cost less. Call 985-626-9118 or see pricing by date on our Wedding Pricing page.
Related: Second Lines, Money Dances and Send-Offs · Weddings · Wedding Pricing
