How long does Mardi Gras last?

How long does a typical Mardi Gras parade take to reach downtown?

• I was just curious on how long a parade takes from it's start time to reach downtown and it's terminus. For example, if a parade start at the typical location uptown at 4:15pm about what time should it be arriving on Canal St in downtown? We are staying downtown near Canal and Magazine and were wondering about how long the parades take to reach that area after they begin.

• Answer:

  The other answers are correct and a parade that is scheduled to start at 4:15pm should get to Canal Street between 7:00pm and 7:30pm. You are almost certainly asking about the Endymion parade. It is one of the longest parades so the "tail" of the parade will leave the formation area at about the time the head reaches downtown. You won't miss it. That also means the parade will be on Canal Street for almost two hours. If you want to watch it all you won't be done until after 9:00pm. Another option would be to make reservations for 9:00pm, watch the parade until about 8:30pm, and then go to dinner. Be sure you can get from your spot on the parade route to the restaurant >>> without having to cross the route <<<. Ask the restaurant for suggestions. All of the parades in New Orleans now (post-Katrina) start uptown on Napoleon Avenue, which is the "formation area" and is about 4 miles from Canal Street. Parades almost always start 15 to 30 minutes late and it will move at a slow walking pace with several stops. 7:30pm is a realistic time for the "head" of the parade to reach Canal Street. Carnival this year is very early and the size of the crowds cannot be predicted right now. If it appears the parades are well attended you need to take your "spot" on the route well before the parade arrives if you want to be up front. If that is not so important to you it is OK to wait until the parade's arrival is imminent to go to the parade route. Finally, the absolute top problems for everyone during Carnival are traffic and parking. If you drive here or rent a car, PLEASE park your car in a lot or garage and leave it there for the duration of your visit (unless you travel well away from the city center and any parade routes (remember there are parades in the suburbs). Hope you have a great time!