Jefferson Parish Adds Two New Mardi Gras Parades

Krewes to roll on Monday and Tuesday before Mardi Gras Day

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Jefferson Parish is making history this Mardi Gras season by hosting parades on both the Monday and Tuesday before Mardi Gras Day, a back-to-back early-week rollout that Carnival historian Arthur Hardy calls unprecedented. The Krewe of Music and the Krewe of Symphony are set to bring spectacular visual productions to the new parade dates, which Hardy says shows confidence from parish officials in the krewes and their potential to draw crowds.

Why it matters

Traditionally, early-week Mardi Gras parades have struggled to pull large crowds compared to the prime weekend slots. But as Mardi Gras continues to grow in popularity, this move by Jefferson Parish officials could help expand the footprint of the Carnival season and establish the Monday and Tuesday before Mardi Gras Day as recognized and anticipated parts of the tradition.

The details

The Krewe of Music and the Krewe of Symphony will be rolling their parades on the Monday and Tuesday before Mardi Gras Day, respectively. Carnival historian Arthur Hardy says these are "not small productions" and that the krewes promise to bring "spectacular visual" elements to the new parade dates.

  • The Krewe of Music parade will roll on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • The Krewe of Symphony parade will roll on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

The players

Arthur Hardy

A Carnival historian who says the decision by Jefferson Parish officials to grant permits for the new Monday and Tuesday parades shows confidence in the krewes and the potential audience.

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What they’re saying

“The fact that Jefferson Parish has parades rolling both Monday and Tuesday is historic in itself. And these are not small productions. The Krewe of Music and the Krewe of Symphony are really spectacular visually.”

— Arthur Hardy, Carnival historian (audacy.com)

“Historically it's been tough to get crowds out at the beginning of the week. But Mardi Gras continues to grow, and this could be the perfect time to make that move.”

— Arthur Hardy, Carnival historian (audacy.com)

“The krewes and officials must see the potential. It's a good sign that the permits were granted and the opportunity is there.”

— Arthur Hardy, Carnival historian (audacy.com)

“So now, those days may become part of Mardi Gras lore.”

— Arthur Hardy, Carnival historian (audacy.com)

What’s next

If the new Monday and Tuesday parades are successful in drawing large crowds, it could lead to Jefferson Parish cementing these early-week parade dates as a regular part of the Mardi Gras calendar going forward.

The takeaway

This move by Jefferson Parish to add new Mardi Gras parades on the Monday and Tuesday before the main event shows the continued growth and evolution of the Carnival season. By expanding the footprint of Mardi Gras, the parish is betting that there is an appetite among revelers for more opportunities to celebrate, even in the traditionally slower early-week time slots.