The Ultimate Guide to Baton Rouge’s 2019 Mardi Gras

Filled with bold colors, outlandish costumes, whimsical parades and delicious food, Mardi Gras is one of the world’s most iconic celebrations, and Louisiana is at the heart of the festivities.

While many people associate the festival with New Orleans, Baton Rouge has established itself as a Mardi Gras destination in its own right. During the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, parades wind through the capital city’s streets, and parties and balls continue all through the night. Vendors set up shop in stands and food trucks, offering carnival food, themed pastries and novelty souvenirs.

Although Mardi Gras officially falls on March 5, the festivities begin weeks in advance. We’ve created this guide to help you make the most out of your Baton Rouge Mardi Gras, including what to expect, what to wear and where to watch the krewes and their parades.

What to Expect From a Baton Rouge Mardi Gras

If you have never experienced Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge, you’re probably wondering what to expect. Is it the same as the New Orleans celebrations, or does it have its own unique tone and traditions?

Below, we’ve listed four things to expect when you attend Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge.

1. A Distinct Tone

The Baton Rouge Mardi Gras is continually growing and changing, and every krewe has a distinct tone that embodies the heart and diversity of the city.

When you visit Baton Rouge for the festival, you will get a Mardi Gras experience that is unique to Baton Rouge. For example, the newest parade, Mid City Gras Parade, was inaugurated in 2018. The Mid City Gras Parade celebrates the redevelopment of the Mid City area, and its slogan — “Wanna get nuts?” — celebrates one of the neighborhood’s defining characteristics — the overabundance of squirrels that inhabit the area’s sprawling trees.

Every krewe has its own Baton Rouge flair, making the Mardi Gras celebrations feel simultaneously traditional and regional.

2. Fantastic Foods

Mardi Gras is more than bright colors and costumes — in many ways, the festival is about the food as much as the festivities.

Because the festival is held in the days leading up to Lent, Mardi Gras symbolizes a time of feasting before a season of fasting. While you’re in Baton Rouge, take advantage of the exceptional foods offered throughout the city — whether you stop by a food truck or step into a local restaurant, enjoy the many thematic dishes and pastries that flood the local eateries.

Make sure to sample a king cake before you leave!

3. Flamboyant Costumes

During Mardi Gras, the people who stick out are the ones not in costume.

Just like the New Orleans celebrations, a Baton Rouge Mardi Gras is all about the costumes. Traditionally, clothing worn during the festival incorporates the Mardi Gras colors — gold, purple and green. However, many revelers go beyond the three colors and design elaborate costumes for the celebrations.

Headdresses are a common accessory, along with tulle tutus, intricate masks and wacky shoes. Participants in the Baton Rouge Mardi Gras often infuse their outfits with local flair — for example, the Spanish Town parade celebrates the neighborhood’s flamingos, which means that costumes commonly include pink elements.

4. Something for Every Spectator

The Baton Rouge celebrations have something for everyone. If you’re traveling with your family, you can spend a day at the parades, enjoying the energy and catching as many throws as possible. If you’re traveling with a group of friends, hit up the city’s nightlife during the festival — with plenty of themed parties and drinks, you will never get bored.

Baton Rouge even has an event for your furry companion — if you are traveling with your dog, take them to the Krewe of Mutts so they can participate in a parade designed specifically with them in mind.

What to Wear to a Baton Rouge Mardi Gras

Beyond the detailed floats and festive parades, the heart of Mardi Gras is in the clothing. As you are preparing for your Baton Rouge celebrations, consider these five tips to create the perfect Mardi Gras outfit.

1. Think About Colors

The customary Mardi Gras colors are gold, green and purple, and each hue represents something bigger.

• Gold: During the Mardi Gras season, gold represents power.
• Green: Green stands for faith in the Mardi Gras celebrations.
• Purple: Purple symbolizes justice in the clothing and decorations of the festival.

To fit in with the Mardi Gras crowd, try to incorporate these theme colors into your clothing.

2. Consider a Costume

If you want to truly enter into the festivities, consider wearing a costume during the Mardi Gras parades and parties. Go as elaborate as you want — during Mardi Gras, over-the-top outfits are considered standard. Some of the most common costumes include:

• Court jester
• French royalty or courtier
• Medieval European

Any crazy costume will work beautifully for the season, but before you make your decision, think about transportation — if you are traveling to Baton Rouge for Mardi Gras, make sure that every element of your outfit can fit into a suitcase.

3. Plan Your Makeup

No Mardi Gras outfit is complete without matching makeup. To take your ensemble from fun to outstanding, consider pairing it with a fun makeup look.

• Colorful eyeshadow: Simultaneously fun and understated, gold, purple and green eyeshadow is a quick way to show your Mardi Gras colors without spending hours on a full face.
• Feather accents: At Mardi Gras, the more flamboyant, the better. Embody the tone of the celebration and incorporate some feathers into your look. You can glue some colorful, thin feathers along your lash line, extending your eyes and adding a whimsical flair to your ensemble.
• Gobs of glitter: Mardi Gras is one of the few situations where you can’t have too much color or sparkle. Add some glitter to your look for a festive, effervescent effect that will make you stand out from the crowd.

4. Remember Accessories

Finish your outfit with a few fun accessories. Some popular choices include:

• Jewelry: Lightweight jewelry is a fashionable accessory that won’t weigh you down on a day filled with parades and parties.
• Bags: Chic backpacks, cross shoulder bags and practical totes are popular ways to carry your essentials during the day.
• Headdresses: Whether you love a mask with tall feathers, an elaborate, high-stacked wig or a jester’s hat, a fun headpiece will take any outfit from standard to unforgettable.
• Masks: Masks add a polished effect to your look, along with protecting your face from any rogue throws.

5. Prioritize Comfort

When you’re planning your Mardi Gras ensemble, make comfort a priority. From your makeup to your shoes, the right outfit will make you confident and keep you comfortable through a day of partying.

• Shoes: While you will probably need heels for formal events, carry a pair of comfortable shoes to wear during the day. Your shoes might also get dirty by the end of the day, so choose a pair that you can easily wash.
• Clothing: When you are planning your casual outfits or designing a costume, make sure you consider the weather. Mardi Gras is at the end of the Louisiana winter, and temperatures range from cold to moderate. Pack a few layers if the forecast looks like it will be chilly, and bring water-resistant gear if rain is predicted.

What Are the Parade Routes of Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge?

Baton Rouge sees several different neighborhood and downtown parades in the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras. Below, we’ve listed the seven biggest parades along with their times and routes so you know where to go for every celebration.

1. Krewe of Mutts

The Mystic Krewe of Mutts is the first major parade in the city’s Mardi Gras season, and it celebrates dogs across the city.

When: Sunday, February 17, 2:00PM

Where: The parade begins on North Boulevard before turning down 7th Street. It marches along Convention Street and turns on 4th Street, continuing until it meets its starting point.

Point of Interest: Be sure to stop by Milford’s on Third, Baton Rouge’s New York style deli for parade day specials for yourself and let your pup enjoy a complimentary hydrating station and homemade treats!

• Dog bone cookies $2
• Dog water bowls outside for pet friendly water station. Purchase (3) for $10 each!
• Complimentary homemade pup treats with purchase
• Dog Branded Beer Specials $3
  • Turbo Dog
  • Catahoula Common

2. Krewe of Artemis Parade

The female-only Krewe of Artemis parade marches through downtown Baton Rouge, thrilling spectators with over 100 units including 17 New Orleans-style floats and 10 marching bands.

When: Friday, February 22, 7:00PM

Where: The parade winds down River Boulevard in its longest stretch, turning right once it hits State Capitol Drive. It passes the State Capitol Park on North 3rd Street, turning left onto Spanish Town Road and then immediately right onto North 4th Street.

The parade then turns onto Main Street, continuing until it meets North 9th Street. After one block, the parade turns onto Laurel Street, then quickly onto North 7th Street. The last main stretch of the parade is down Convention Street, where it meets River Boulevard and heads back to its starting point.

3. Krewe of Mystique

La Krewe Mystique de la Capitale is one of the oldest parades in the city, and it is a well-loved and well-attended event in the Baton Rouge Mardi Gras calendar.

When: Saturday, February 23, 2:00PM

Where: The Krewe Mystique de la Capitale follows the same path as the Krewe of Artemis.

The parade makes its way down River Boulevard, turning onto State Capitol Drive. It passes the State Capitol Park on North 3rd Street, turns onto Spanish Town Road before turning again onto North 4th Street. The parade turns onto Main Street and continues until it meets North 9th Street when it turns onto Laurel Street and then onto North 7th Street. The parade winds down Convention Street until it meets River Boulevard, where it returns to its beginning point.

4. Krewe of Orion

The Krewe of Orion knows how to put on a good show — with tractor-pulled floats, marching bands, dance groups and plenty of exciting throws, this parade is something the entire family will enjoy.

When: Saturday, February 23, 6:30PM

Where: The Krewe of Orion parade follows nearly the same downtown path as the Krewe of Artemis and the Krewe of Mystique.

The parade begins down River Boulevard, turning once it hits State Capitol Drive. It passes the State Capitol Park on North 3rd Street and follows the path onto Spanish Town Road and then immediately turns onto North 4th Street. The parade turns onto Main Street and stays on the road for a stretch before running into North 9th Street. It turns onto 9th Street for one block and then starts down Laurel Street.

Unlike the Krewe of Mystique and the Krewe of Orion, this parade turns left onto North 6th Street before entering its last stretch on Convention Street. The parade turns left on River Boulevard and heads back to its starting point. The parade stops at the Raising Cane’s River Center Exhibition Hall when the festivities transform into the Krewe of Orion Masquerade.

5. Mid City Gras

Mid City Gras is the newest krewe in Baton Rouge, and it is gaining in popularity across the city. Quirky and passionate about its community, the Mid City Gras celebrates everything that makes this neighborhood unique.

When: Sunday, February 24, 1:00PM

Where: The Mid City Gras parade is a straight shot, rolling down North Boulevard for several blocks. It starts at the 19th Street intersection and ends at Foster Drive.

6. Krewe of Southdowns

The Krewe of Southdowns is family-friendly and glamorous. Featuring groups like the dazzling Southdowns Flambeaux, this parade is one of Baton Rouge’s most beloved Mardi Gras events.

When: Friday, March 1, 7:00PM

Where: The parade begins on Glasgow Avenue and turns right onto Whitehaven Street. The floats and groups then turn right onto Lee Drive and travel for one block before turning right onto Hyacinth Avenue. After turning left onto Edinburgh Avenue, the parade continues until it runs into Arrowhead Street.

The parade turns onto Stuart Avenue, makes its way to Whitehaven Street, and from Whitehaven turns onto Stephens Avenue for one block. After turning again onto Hyacinth, the parade continues for several blocks, crossing Stanford Avenue and eventually merging onto Cherrydale Avenue. From there, the parade turns onto Morning Glory Avenue and finally onto Cloverdale Avenue, where it ends at the Acadian-Perkins Shopping Center.

7. Krewe of Spanish Town Parade

The final major krewe in the Baton Rouge Mardi Gras celebrations, the Krewe of Spanish Town is all about flamingos and poking fun at social conventions. If you make it to Spanish Town for the parade, you’ll be sure to notice plenty of sarcasm and laughter among the floats, dancers and marchers.

When: Saturday, March 2, 12:00PM

Where: The parade begins on Spanish Town Road and continues until it reaches 9th Street. The revelers turn right onto North Street, where they march for several blocks. The parade turns onto North 4th Street for one block before turning onto Main Street, where it continues until it once again runs into 9th Street.

Turning from 9th Street onto Laurel Street, the parade makes its way to North 4th Street. Here it turns almost immediately onto Florida Street. The parade turns onto 7th Street before hitting Convention Street, where it eventually runs into Lafayette Street. The final block of the parade marches down Main Street until it ends at the 3rd Street intersection.

Point of Interest: Check out Milford’s on Third for parade day food specials & $5 Flamingeaux Dancer signature pink cocktails!

Re-Fuel During Mardi Gras

When you spend a day marching in a krewe, watching a parade or catching bright throws, you’re bound to work up an appetite. During Baton Rouge’s Mardi Gras, visit Milford’s on Third for a meal that will revive your mood and your energy.

Conveniently located downtown, Milford’s on Third brings the style and quality of a New York delicatessen to Baton Rouge. Whether you’re in the mood for a packed sandwich, warm bowl of soup or a bagel and schmear, Milford’s has something to satisfy every Mardi Gras craving. 

Stop by Milford’s on Third for breakfast to go before the parade or a quick mid-day lunch. We hope to see you soon!