Hundreds Dress as Ozzy Osbourne for Wild Mardi Gras Tribute

Fans pay homage to the legendary Black Sabbath frontman in one of the festival's most striking spectacles.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Hundreds of Ozzy Osbourne fans descended on New Orleans during Mardi Gras this week, dressing head-to-toe as the Prince of Darkness and marching through the city in a tribute to the legendary Black Sabbath frontman. The mass homage took place during the Krewe of Muses parade, with participants dancing alongside a themed float and banners celebrating Ozzy Osbourne.

Why it matters

Ozzy Osbourne's influence continues to resonate across generations of fans, as evidenced by this striking Mardi Gras tribute that underscores his enduring legacy in heavy metal and rock music.

The details

The event was organized by the Dead Rock Stars, an all-male dance crew that reunites annually for the Muses parade to honor a late rock icon. This year, they selected Ozzy Osbourne, with 225 participants dressing up and dancing to a playlist of Ozzy solo tracks and Black Sabbath songs. Among those dressed as Ozzy was Stephen Rea, a longtime friend of the singer who knew him for more than four decades.

  • The mass homage took place during the Krewe of Muses parade in New Orleans this week.
  • Ozzy Osbourne's one-year anniversary celebration is reportedly planned for July in Birmingham.

The players

Ozzy Osbourne

The legendary frontman of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, known as the "Prince of Darkness" for his influential and iconic persona.

Dead Rock Stars

An all-male dance crew that reunites annually for the Muses parade to honor a late rock icon, this year choosing to pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne.

Stephen Rea

A longtime friend of Ozzy Osbourne who has known the singer for more than four decades and participated in the Mardi Gras parade dressed as Osbourne.

Sharon Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne's wife, who shared footage of the Mardi Gras parade on her Instagram story, amplifying the tribute to a global audience.

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What they’re saying

“There was only ever going to be one choice this year… The greatest rock singer the world's ever seen.”

— Stephen Rea, Longtime friend of Ozzy Osbourne (BBC)

“I would love to get everybody across for Ozzy's celebration in July in Birmingham. With the one-year anniversary, I think there are plans for that.”

— Stephen Rea, Longtime friend of Ozzy Osbourne (BBC)

What’s next

Members of the Osbourne family were reportedly in attendance at the Mardi Gras parade, and there are plans for a one-year anniversary celebration of Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham in July.

The takeaway

This Mardi Gras tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, with hundreds of fans dressing up as the iconic rock star, underscores the enduring influence and legacy of the Black Sabbath frontman, who continues to captivate and inspire generations of music lovers.