A Carnival ball runs on tradition and on a calendar nobody can move. The date shifts every year with Easter, the parade schedule fills the weekends, and every krewe and organization from Mandeville and Covington to Slidell is looking at the same handful of Saturdays.
Planning a Mardi Gras ball involves navigating a fixed Carnival calendar and competitive venue booking, making early consideration of venue logistics crucial for krewes and organizations. Fleur de Lis Event Center, a venue that hosts Mardi Gras balls, advises krewes to settle details such as parade schedule impact on timing, appropriate ballroom capacity, music arrangements, and specific decor rules before signing a contract. The Fleur de Lis Event Center offers the Jazz Ballroom for 50-300 guests and the Pontchartrain Ballroom for 100-500 guests, which can be combined for up to 850 attendees. Notably, the venue prohibits confetti and restricts glitter use, while allowing balloon drops without confetti.
Mardi Gras balls are one of the event types we host at Fleur de Lis Event Center in Mandeville. Here is what to settle with any venue before your captain signs a contract.
How should krewes and organizations time their Mardi Gras ball around parades?
Parade traffic can make a short drive long. Getting to our venue is most affected around the Krewe of Eve parade, on the Friday roughly two weeks before Mardi Gras. Later start times are generally less affected.
Check the parade schedule before you set your start time, and put parking and arrival advice in the invitation so guests plan for it.
Choose the ballroom for your krewe
| Space | Comfortable range | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Jazz Ballroom | Approximately 50 to 300 guests | Two working indoor fountains, brick-top bar, fiber-optic star ceiling |
| Pontchartrain Ballroom | Approximately 100 to 500 guests | Real gas lighting, star ceiling, large dance floor, balcony seating for nearly 100 |
For larger balls, the Pontchartrain Ballroom can add balcony seating and an additional upstairs bar. Smaller krewe dinners and planning parties fit the Private Restaurant, which holds up to approximately 100 guests.
For the largest krewes, the two ballrooms can be combined for one event of up to about 850 guests. A combined ball uses both ballrooms, so no second event runs alongside it.
Carnival weekends are busy, so two events may run here on the same night. Each ballroom is self-contained, with its own guest entrance, restrooms, bar, private courtyard and staff. The parking area is essentially the only shared space, and the former movie-theater construction gives strong sound separation; simultaneous events here haven’t created a practical noise problem.
Plan the music and the court
Live bands are allowed for the full event, and both ballrooms have band areas near the dance floor. A modular stage is available as a separate add-on, with setup currently $325. Large bands fit in either room, though a very large band in the Jazz Ballroom may change the seating layout slightly, so share your band’s setup early.
If your ball ends with a second line, we regularly coordinate second lines and have umbrellas on hand.
Know the décor rules before you build anything
Carnival décor is where krewes most often get surprised. Ask every venue these questions before the committee orders anything. Here are our answers:
- Confetti is not allowed.
- Glitter is restricted. Ask before using it in décor, costumes or table pieces.
- Balloon drops are welcome as long as the balloons don’t contain confetti.
- Open flames must be contained in a proper vessel.
- Height: Our ballroom ceilings are about 17 feet, and installations such as backdrops, thrones or props must fit within that height and be approved for safety.
King cakes and the bar
Outside commercially prepared desserts are allowed, so members can bring king cakes from their favorite bakery. Outside catering generally is not permitted, so the meal comes from our kitchen.
Krewes used to bringing their own bar should know this one early: outside alcohol is not permitted, and all alcohol is served through Fleur de Lis under our liquor license. We can build the bar around the ball, from a full open bar to beer and wine, a cash bar or a signature cocktail in purple, green and gold. Bartenders check ID, and shots are not served. Uniformed security is required with an open bar and is currently $220. See our bar and event policies for details.
What are the transportation and parking options for Mardi Gras ball guests?
Free on-site parking fits 175+ vehicles, with adjoining overflow parking. Overnight parking is allowed, so guests can leave their cars and take a ride home. The courtyards serve as designated smoking areas.
What it costs
Pricing depends on the ballroom, the date, the menu and the bar, so there is no single starting price. Call us with your date and expected attendance, and we’ll put together a quote.
Questions to ask any Carnival ball venue
- Will another event be running that night, and what will we share?
- Where does the band set up, and is a stage available?
- What décor is not allowed?
- Can members bring king cakes? Can they bring their own liquor?
- What start time avoids the worst parade traffic?
- Can guests leave their cars overnight?
See the ballroom before the committee votes
Tours are normally available Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday mornings, with virtual tours for members who can’t come in. Call 985-626-9118 to check your date.
Related: Event Spaces | Pontchartrain Ballroom | Jazz Ballroom | Plan an Event
About the Author: Taylor Thomas
