Mardi Gras 2025 comes to a close with highs and lows

Axios

04-03-2025

We marched, we danced and we saw how pretty we are during Mardi Gras 2025 in New Orleans.
Let's take stock of what was so great — and could have been better — in this lengthy Carnival season.
🔥 Carriers of the torch: The Joan of Arc procession along with other Kings Day parades lighted the way for revelers looking to heal and find beauty after the Jan. 1 terror attack on Bourbon Street. Go deeper.
✊🏾 Most meaningful history-makers: The Krewe of ALLA, who took over Nyx's spot with their first Black king and queen — and brought a second-line club along for the fun. Go deeper.
♻️ Most hopeful sign: More krewes moving toward reusable throws. Crowd favorites: Cleo shirts, Freret fanny packs, Sparta light-up gliders and Bacchus socks. Go deeper.
🧈 Greasiest go-getter: Lauren Haydel of Fleurty Girl, who won Greasing of the Poles. She's also an Axios New Orleans reader. Woohoo!
Shoutout to the Royal Sonesta for helping Chelsea knock out this bucket list item. Even better that she went home with the People's Choice award. Go deeper.
🧐 Most painfully accurate meme: This one about sidewalk versus neutral ground. Try to argue with it, but you can't.
🤯 Mind blowing-est fact: We hosted a Super Bowl during this Carnival season.
An! Entire! Super! Bowl! During Mardi Gras!
And we kept the lights on for the full game. Redemption!
🪑 Best seats in the house: The Chaissez Ladies, Les Bonnes Vivantes and Laissez Boys.
❤️‍🩹 Tiniest tribute you shouldn't miss: This 'tit Rex tip of the cap to Frankie Beverly, who died last year.
☁️ Teenage dream come true: Katy Perry, who got a key to the city from New Orleans Councilmember Helena Moreno when the star performed at the Endymion ball. Go deeper.
🐕 Most parade appearances without ever leaving home: Scrim. Was there a single krewe who didn't refer to the renegade pup?
⚜️ Most likely to become a New Orleans ambassador: Jameis Winston, whose love affair with the city continued as he played catch with Shaq on the Bacchus route.
🤩 Best treats: King cake remains undefeated. Here's to the classics and newcomers we tried this year: Hubig's, Bywater Bakery 's pineapple passionfruit, Pretty Funky Treats ' créme brulée and Dong Phuong 's king cake flight.
☔️ Biggest bummer: The weather, which caused nearly unprecedented cancellations and shifted parade schedules for Mardi Gras.
Yes, but: It was mostly glorious until then.
🫣 Creepiest encounter: King Cake Baby popping up at the St. Roch Market for an Axios New Orleans happy hour.
Thankfully, he's going back into hibernation ASAP.
🪳 Most likely to survive the apocalypse: The Krewe of Chads.
🚗 Silliest moment: Driving like "Mario Kart" around the barricades on St. Charles Avenue. Go deeper.
🤔 Priciest question left unanswered (so far): How did our hospitality industry fare this Carnival season?
We've heard a couple rumors about hotel rooms being less in demand, but the final numbers will tell us what really happened.
🏆 The real MVPs: The cleaning krewes who follow behind every parade.
We really, honestly, truly could not do this without you. Thank you.
🚮 Our next stop: The ARC donation bin after we sort through our loot. Drop-off locations.
🙏 Biggest sigh of relief: We were on high alert this season and we made it through without any major safety scares. Thank goodness.
Officials are still making plans for what security will look like in the French Quarter going forward.
😆 Most likely to do it all again: Us!
Mardi Gras 2026 is Feb. 17.
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Photos: Celebrities at Mardi Gras
Our full Mardi Gras coverage