New Orleans Official Visitors Guide - 2026 Winter/Spring
Mardi Gras
2025-12-11 13:50:11
THE MARDI GRAS YOU DON’T KNOW: Behind the Mask with Secret Krewes
Everybody knows about the most prestigious parades of Mardi Gras, where you can catch decorated shoes at the Krewe of Muses or hand-painted coconuts at Krewe of Zulu on Mardi Gras Day. Then there are superkrewes – like Endymion, Bacchus, and Orpheus – that bring the razzle dazzle parade-goers have come to expect.
But you don’t want to miss lesser-known krewes that offer a glimpse into the creativity of Carnival. Here are a few to keep on your radar.
INTERGALACTIC KREWE OF CHEWBACCHUS
The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus is a walking parade perfect for sci-fi fans and creative minds. The best parts are the subkrewes, where you’ll see various interpretations of the parade’s theme through a nerdy lens. Some subkrewes include The Vampiric Council of New Orleans, Women of Wakanda, Muppets from Space, Mischief Managed … you get the gist! This parade usually rolls – err, walks – through the Bywater and into the French Quarter three Saturdays before Mardi Gras Weekend.
‘TIT RaX
Inspired by Bacchus, “the father of all superkrewes,” ‘tit RaX (pronounced "tee rex" and short for "petite") is the smallest parade you’ll see! Harkening back to school days for many New Orleanians, this event features intricately designed shoebox floats (often inspired by current events) that are pulled via string in a walking parade. This celebration is a champion of sustainability and low waste, but you can still expect to get tiny, handmade throws. Pro tip: bring binoculars! ‘tit RaX typically parades the two Sundays before Mardi Gras Weekend.
SOCIETY OF ST. ANNE
It may seem like a secret, but the Society of St. Anne is open to all! Known for its unmatched creativity and fashion, this group marches from neighborhood to neighborhood in costume on Mardi Gras Day. (This krewe also has many subkrewes.) It’s the parade where you go to watch and end up being a part of the whole thing! Doesn’t get any more local than that.
Scan for the Parade Schedule!
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Mardi Gras
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