Louisiana Festivals & Events Happening this Weekend: January 4 through January 7

Mardi Gras is just around the corner.Photo byHush Naidoo Jade PhotographyonUnsplash

In Louisiana, it's time to start thinking about Mardi Gras.

It's the first weekend of January, and Mardi Gras season is already here. Saturday, January 6 is Twelfth Night, the official start date of the carnival season.

The first parades of 2024 will roll this weekend.

Joan of Arc - January 6 - 7:00 PM

French Quarter

The Joan of Arc parade is the season starter. A birthday party for the martyred patron saint of New Orleans, St. Joan (Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc), the medieval-themed walking procession begins at Bienville and N. Front Streets, travels up Bienville, turns right on Chartres, right on Ursulines, and right on Decatur where homage will be paid to the gold Joan of Arc statue. The parade ends in front of Jackson Square.

Phunny Phorty Phellows - January 6 - 7:00 PM

St. Charles Avenue streetcar route

Phunny Phorty Phellows is not really a parade, but a rolling costume party. Taking place aboard a St. Charles Avenue streetcar, the champagne fueled ride starts and ends at the Willow Street car barn.

Funky Uptown Krewe - January 6 - 7:05 PM

St. Charles Avenue streetcar route

Rolling right behind the Phunny Phorty Phellows, the Funky Uptown Krewe is devoted to one of New Oreans' best-loved musical styles. The streetcar starts at the Willow Street car barn, but ends the ride at Fat Harry's (4330 St. Charles Avenue). The Krewe will dispense hand-decorated vinyl albums from the windows of the car. This year's theme is Saturday Night Fever.

Société Des Champs Elysée - January 6 - 7, 8 & 9:00 PM

North Rampart Street streetcar route

A trolly-style bus will make three trips throughout the night beginning at the Holy Diver bar (1200 St. Bernard Avenue) for the Société Des Champs Elysée ride. The bus will turn right on N. Rampart Street, right on Canal for one block, left on Elks Place, and then onto Loyola Avenue where it will reverse course and return along the same route. The ride ends at the corner of St Claude Avenue and Elysian Fields.

St. John Fools of Misrule - January 6 - 6:00 PM

Covington

Retiring Christmas and welcoming Mardi Gras, the Fools of Misrule will gather for a couple hours of feasting and tippling dressed in Renaissance pirate wear, wigs, and masks. At 6:00 PM, the entourage will head toward Covington Trailhead in pub-crawl fashion toasting at watering holes along the route. This year, the Fools will be joined by Big Chief Bo Dollis, Jr & The Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indian Tribe.

Mardi Gras 12th Night Kickoff Festival - January 6 - 7:00 PM

Lake Charles

The Lake Charles Civic Center is the setting for the family-friendly Mardi Gras 12th Night Kickoff Festival hosted by Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana. Guests will enjoy Zydeco music, glittering costumes, parades, gumbo, Cajun cuisine, and the chance to win prizes. Doors open at 6:00 PM and admission is $10. There will be no reserved seating or roping-off of sections.

Krewe of Excellence - January 6 - 2:00 PM

Natchitoches

The Krewe of Excellence Mardi Gras Parade will begin at the NSU Elementary Lab School, 1 Caldwell Drive, in Natchitoches. King Oghale Eleyae and Queen Sylvia Crosby are this year's royalty.

Mande King's Day Parade - January 6 - 3:00 PM

Mandeville

The Mande King's Day Walking Parade begins at the marina near Ponchartrain Yacht Club on Lakeshore Drive, then moves along the lakefront up Girod Street into the Mandeville Trailhead. It will end with a festival from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the trailhead.