Mardi Gras 2027 falls early: Fat Tuesday is Tuesday, February 9, 2027, and Carnival season starts on Twelfth Night, January 6. That makes a short, packed season, with the biggest New Orleans parades stacked into the two weekends before Fat Tuesday. If you're heading in from Mandeville, Covington, Slidell or Hammond, the parades are the easy part. Parking, closed streets and the ride back across the lake are where the day goes sideways.
Why driving in yourself is the hard way
- Streets close hours before the floats. Uptown and the CBD close roads along the routes long before a parade starts, and traffic backs up on every way in.
- Parking is scarce and expensive. Lots near St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street fill early on big parade days, and tow trucks are busy.
- Rideshare gets stretched thin. Wait times and surge pricing climb at the end of each parade, and many drivers won't take a trip back over the Causeway.
- It's a long day. After hours on a parade route, nobody wants to drive 24 miles across the lake.
How a parade day with us works
- Pick your parade and spot. Tell us which parade and roughly where you want to stand.
- We drop you as close as the closures allow. We plan the drop-off around the street closures for that night.
- Agree on a pickup spot. We'll set a meeting point a few blocks off the route, away from the crowds and the barricades.
- Text us when you're ready. Send a text about 30 minutes before you want to leave and your driver will head your way.
Parades on our side of the lake
You don't have to cross the lake for a great parade. Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, Abita Springs, Lacombe, Folsom and Bush all roll during Carnival, with family-friendly routes and easier crowds. Visit The Northshore posts the St. Tammany parade schedule each season. We drive local parade nights too, so the whole family can enjoy the evening and nobody has to be the driver.
Groups and krewe nights
Riding in a krewe, going to a ball, or taking a group of friends to the parades? A van keeps everyone together, gets you to the staging area on time, and brings you home after the ball. Tell us your headcount and timing and we'll plan it.
Book early
Parade weekends, Lundi Gras and Fat Tuesday are among our busiest days of the year, and a short season makes them busier. Book as soon as you know your plans. The same goes for flying in: if you have family landing at MSY for Carnival, book their airport ride when you book their tickets. See New Orleans airport to the Northshore.
FAQ
Fat Tuesday is Tuesday, February 9, 2027. Carnival season starts January 6, 2027.
We drop you as close as the street closures allow and set a pickup spot a few blocks away, clear of the crowds.
Yes. Fat Tuesday is one of our busiest days, so book early.
Yes. Tell us your headcount, the venue and timing and we'll plan the ride there and home.
Yes. We drive Covington, Mandeville, Slidell and other St. Tammany parade nights.
Planning your Mardi Gras?
Book your parade ride online, or call or text us any hour.