New Orleans Leaders Escort Partygoers Off Bourbon Street After Carnival

The annual street-clearing tradition signals the end of the Carnival season and clears the way for cleanup crews.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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As the clock struck midnight on Wednesday, law enforcement and city leaders in New Orleans ushered partygoers off Bourbon Street, marking the end of the 2026 Carnival season and the start of the Lenten period. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Robert Hodges, and Mayor Helena Moreno were among the officials who oversaw the street-clearing process, which they described as one of the safest Carnivals on record thanks to support from federal, state, and local law enforcement.

Why it matters

The annual Mardi Gras street-clearing tradition is a symbolic and logistical milestone, signaling the conclusion of the raucous Carnival celebrations and allowing cleanup crews to begin the process of restoring order to the city. This year's event was particularly noteworthy given the heightened security presence and the officials' assessment that it was one of the safest Carnivals in recent memory.

The details

At the stroke of midnight, NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, along with several city and state leaders, directed partygoers to leave Bourbon Street, marking the official end of the 2026 Carnival season. Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Robert Hodges praised the behavior of both residents and visitors, describing this year's Carnival as "probably one of the safest" on record. Mayor Helena Moreno credited the safety to the assistance of nearly 500 federal officers, more than 200 state police officers, and local partners, in addition to the ongoing presence of the National Guard, which has had 350 soldiers working in the city since before the new year.

  • At midnight on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, law enforcement and city leaders ushered partygoers off Bourbon Street.
  • The National Guard has been in New Orleans since before the New Year and will continue their mission through February 28th.

The players

Anne Kirkpatrick

The Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department.

Robert Hodges

The Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police.

Helena Moreno

The Mayor of New Orleans.

Thomas Friloux

A Major General in the Louisiana National Guard.

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What they’re saying

“It is time to go home folks.”

— Anne Kirkpatrick, NOPD Superintendent (wwltv.com)

“What's to note is on record this is probably one of the safest Carnivals. Everyone who attended both the residents and the visitors, they behaved, they were kind and respectful to one another.”

— Robert Hodges, Louisiana State Police Superintendent (wwltv.com)

“The party was possible, as the chief said, because of the people who you see behind me, all of our first responders.”

— Helena Moreno, Mayor of New Orleans (wwltv.com)

“Our mission is not over, I've got 350 soldiers working here, and we will continue through the 28th of February.”

— Thomas Friloux, Louisiana National Guard Major General (wwltv.com)

What’s next

The National Guard will continue their mission in New Orleans through February 28th, supporting the city's recovery efforts after the Carnival celebrations.

The takeaway

This year's Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans were hailed as one of the safest on record, thanks to the coordinated efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as the ongoing presence of the National Guard. The successful management of the event underscores the city's resilience and commitment to maintaining public safety during its iconic annual festivities.