Every May, spectators line the streets of downtown Indianapolis for the 500 Festival Parade—an event full of marching bands, ornate floats, and the 33 drivers who qualified for the following day’s Indianapolis 500. For many city-wide celebrations, one parade is more than enough revelry for the month.
That’s not the case in New Orleans during the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras Day. In many places around the world, this season is known as Carnival, but in the Crescent City, the whole season—Epiphany (Jan. 6) through Fat Tuesday (47 days before Easter)—is known as Mardi Gras. In 2026, the streets of New Orleans will host nearly 50 different parades throughout the city! That’s a lot of floats, marching bands, and costumes. Some parades are incredibly elaborate. Others are intentionally minimalist. All of the Mardi Gras parades, however, have one major purpose—to let the good times roll!
Mardi Gras parades don’t just magically appear on their own. With all the organization, coordination, and construction involved in these processions, a Mardi Gras parade can sometimes take more than a year to implement. That can only happen because of krewes—private organizations that plan, fund, and stage parades and other celebrations in New Orleans each Mardi Gras season.
Krewes Have a Long History
The very first of these groups, the Mistick Krewe of Comus, presented the first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans in 1857. Area residents had celebrated Carnival for generations, but they were random street parties that had a rowdy and unruly reputation. Comus changed Carnival culture in the Bayou. They introduced many of the elements we now associate with Mardi Gras—themed floats, masked riders, and a sense of theatrical mystery. Although Comus no longer parades, their influence shaped everything that came after.
Procession of the "Mistick Krewe of Comus" procession, 1867.
A few decades later, the Krewe of Rex built upon the traditions established by Mistick Krewe of Comus, encoding even more traditions that remain central today. Rex introduced purple (representing justice), green (representing faith), and gold (representing power) as official Mardi Gras colors. Rex also named Mardi Gras Day a citywide holiday and created the idea of a “King of Carnival.” Their parade is still one of the most anticipated events of the season.
Other early groups, like the Krewe of Proteus, founded in 1882, carried forward the elaborate pageantry of the “Old Line Krewes.” These organizations were known for their long histories and formal traditions. While many of them also had exclusionary practices in the past, the landscape of Mardi Gras has changed dramatically over time, becoming more diverse, creative, and community‑driven.
Procession of the "Mistick Krewe of Comus" procession, 1867.A few decades later, the Krewe of Rex built upon the traditions established by Mistick Krewe of Comus, encoding even more traditions that remain central today. Rex introduced purple (representing justice), green (representing faith), and gold (representing power) as official Mardi Gras colors. Rex also named Mardi Gras Day a citywide holiday and created the idea of a “King of Carnival.” Their parade is still one of the most anticipated events of the season.
Other early groups, like the Krewe of Proteus, founded in 1882, carried forward the elaborate pageantry of the “Old Line Krewes.” These organizations were known for their long histories and formal traditions. While many of them also had exclusionary practices in the past, the landscape of Mardi Gras has changed dramatically over time, becoming more diverse, creative, and community‑driven.
Krewes Continue the Community-Oriented Tradition
With the movement towards more inclusive and community-driven krewes, a new wave of krewes has emerged that celebrate humor, artistry, inclusivity, and the joy of participation. One beloved example is the Krewe of Muses, founded in 2000. Muses is an all‑female krewe known for its wit, imaginative floats, and throwing hand-decorated high heel shoes during the parade. Their parade helped usher in a modern era where krewes reflect the voices and values of the communities they represent.
Krewe of Muses parade, 2024.
Speaking of throws, few are as iconic—or as fiercely sought after—as the hand‑painted coconuts Krewe Zulu. Founded in 1909, Zulu was the first predominantly Black Mardi Gras krewe. Known for its vibrant costumes, rich cultural history, and joyful spirit, it is one of the city’s most beloved krewes. Their coconuts, each uniquely decorated by krewe members, have become treasured Mardi Gras keepsakes and symbolize the creativity and community pride that define the season. Catching one is considered a badge of honor, and the anticipation surrounding them adds yet another layer of excitement to the parade‑filled weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. Krewe Zulu is deeply involved in supporting the community throughout the year.
In the spirit of inclusivity and creativity, The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus is a 900-member organization that pays tribute to science fiction, fantasy, and horror. “The mission of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus is to save the galaxy by giving the disenfranchised, socially awkward, and generally weird masses access to the magical revelry of Carnival…Through our works, we hope to elevate all aspects of fandom and celebrate Carnival in our unique way.”
Krewe of Muses parade, 2024.Speaking of throws, few are as iconic—or as fiercely sought after—as the hand‑painted coconuts Krewe Zulu. Founded in 1909, Zulu was the first predominantly Black Mardi Gras krewe. Known for its vibrant costumes, rich cultural history, and joyful spirit, it is one of the city’s most beloved krewes. Their coconuts, each uniquely decorated by krewe members, have become treasured Mardi Gras keepsakes and symbolize the creativity and community pride that define the season. Catching one is considered a badge of honor, and the anticipation surrounding them adds yet another layer of excitement to the parade‑filled weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. Krewe Zulu is deeply involved in supporting the community throughout the year.
In the spirit of inclusivity and creativity, The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus is a 900-member organization that pays tribute to science fiction, fantasy, and horror. “The mission of the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus is to save the galaxy by giving the disenfranchised, socially awkward, and generally weird masses access to the magical revelry of Carnival…Through our works, we hope to elevate all aspects of fandom and celebrate Carnival in our unique way.”
These are just a hint at the wide variety of krewes who make Mardi Gras in New Orleans what it is today.
You Can Join a Krewe in Tiana’s Joyful Celebration
This spirit of community and creativity is exactly what inspired our brand-new exhibition produced by Walt Disney Imagineering and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis—Tiana’s Joyful Celebration. Your special spice completes your community—and it can help Princess Tiana too! You can join her krewe and lend a hand to prepare for a festive Mardi Gras season “parade.” Design costumes, decorate floats, and much more in this unforgettable celebration!
Que la fête commence—let the celebration begin!
Produced by Walt Disney Imagineering and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
