Where families set up on St. Charles
The most family-friendly stretch is Uptown on St. Charles Avenue, roughly from Napoleon Avenue toward Jackson Avenue. Napoleon sits near the start of the route, so little ones can see parades and still get to bed at a reasonable hour. The Garden District portion, between Jackson and Louisiana avenues, tends to have more families with ladders and picnic blankets.
Closer to Canal Street and downtown the crowds are denser and younger. Pick a spot near a side street or cross street if you can. It gives you a quick exit when someone has a meltdown.
What to avoid: Bourbon Street and the Quarter at night
No major parade runs through the French Quarter, so you only need to be there if your hotel is. Bourbon Street is fine in daylight, with music and costumes. By nightfall it gets louder and more crowded, with open-container bars, and it is a poor fit for young kids.
If you stay in the Quarter, do your walking there in the morning, then head to dinner and bed early. Rideshares can surge and may not be able to enter the Quarter perimeter on parade days, so expect to be dropped at the edge and walk the rest. Our where-to-stay guide compares bases by parade route.
Which parades suit kids, and when
Endymion rolls Saturday, February 6, Bacchus on Sunday, February 7, and Orpheus on Lundi Gras, February 8. Start times for 2027 are not published yet, so check the official parade schedule closer to the date. Bacchus is known for signature floats like the Bacchagator and Bacchasaurus, and
On Mardi Gras Day, Zulu rolls at 8 a.m., followed by Rex. That makes it a good morning for families: pick a window of an hour or two and head home before the crowds peak.
Weekend daytime parades are the easiest win for naps. Weeknight parades Uptown usually begin in the early evening, and for many toddlers the first half hour is plenty.
Ladders: the rules and the safety basics
Many local families put a seat box on top of a stepladder so kids can see over the crowd. The city says ladders can be no taller than six feet, must be free-standing, and must sit at least six feet back from the curb. Do not strap ladders together or leave yours unattended.
Bathrooms and what to pack
Public restrooms on the route are scarce. Scout a hotel lobby, restaurant or bar a few blocks off the route before you need it, and buy something there. Portable toilets are not guaranteed to be well stocked, so bring toilet paper, wipes and hand sanitizer. For kids still potty training, pack a travel potty and a change of clothes.
Pack like it is an afternoon of camping.
Safety, lost kids and a rainy-day stop
Tell kids not to run near floats or horses to grab a bead. Skip putting beads or trinkets in mouths, and use hand sanitizer before eating. Write your phone number on your child's arm or a bracelet, take a photo of what they are wearing that morning, and pick a meeting spot like a specific corner.
Juvenile Lost and Found locations have been set up at St. Charles and Napoleon, St. Charles and Jackson, and Canal and Baronne.
Visit Mardi Gras World before your first parade. Kids can watch floats being built, and it explains what they are about to see. Check parade-weekend hours first. Our day-by-day plan shows how the weekend fits together, and the New Orleans guide covers the rest of the city.
- Mardi Gras WorldFloats under construction and a short Carnival film; good before the first parade.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mardi Gras OK for kids?
Yes, on the right stretches. Families gather Uptown on St. Charles Avenue, where many set up ladders and picnic blankets. Daytime parades and the early part of evening ones work best. Keep Bourbon Street to daylight.
Where is the best place to watch with a toddler?
Uptown on St. Charles near Napoleon Avenue, or the Garden District stretch between Jackson and Louisiana avenues. Choose a spot near a cross street for a quick exit.
How tall can a Mardi Gras ladder be?
No taller than six feet, free-standing, and at least six feet back from the curb. Ladders cannot be strapped together or left unattended.
What day is Mardi Gras 2027?
Fat Tuesday is February 9, 2027. Zulu rolls at 8 a.m. that morning, followed by Rex. Parades roll every night from February 3 to 9, 2027.
