Top 5 Louisiana Mardi Gras Krewes With The Biggest Floats
Established: 1967
Membership: Over 3,200 male riders
Float Size: Features 37 super-floats
Notable Features: Recognized as one of the largest parades, known for its extravagant and elaborate floats.
Krewe of Endymion Park March 1, 2025 at 4 PM
Starts at City Park Avenue and Orleans Avenue, and ends at the Endymion Extravaganza in Caesar's Superdome. Known for: Huge floats, celebrity performers, and the Endymion Extravaganza.
4. Krewe of Orpheus
Krewe of Orpheus: Co-founded by Harry Connick, Jr.
Established: 1994
Membership: Started with 700 members; current numbers have grown
Float Size: Includes the massive "Smokey Mary" float, an eight-unit train-like float
Notable Features: Co-founded by musician Harry Connick Jr., known for its elaborate and musically themed floats.
3. Krewe of Bacchus
Established: 1968
Membership: Approximately 1,700 male riders
Float Size: Parades with 32 super-floats
Notable Features: Famous for floats like the Bacchasaurus and Bacchagator, and for featuring celebrity monarchs.
Krewe of Bacchus Parade
When: Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Where: Starts at Napoleon Avenue and Tchoupitoulas, and ends at the Convention Center on Henderson Street
Known for: Massive floats, like the giant Bacchagator, and an A-list celebrity King
Other major Mardi Gras krewes in New Orleans include:
2. Krewe of Muses
Established: 2000
Membership: Around 1,500 female members
Float Size: Features several creatively themed floats
Notable Features: Renowned for their signature hand-decorated high-heeled shoe throws.
Krewe of Muses: An all-female krewe known for their signature shoe throws
Established: 1932
Membership: Approximately 500 male and female members
Float Size: Parades with 22 floats
Notable Features: Known for their hand-decorated genie lamp throws.
The Krewe of ALLA is one of the oldest and most storied krewes in Carnival. Established in 1932 during the depths of the Great Depression in Algiers, La., ALLA will celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2022. The krewe, now co-ed, has called the Uptown New Orleans parade route home since 2014 and is known for bright floats, generous throws, and multiple bands and marching groups.
Other krewe events during the year include ALLA's Coronation Dinner at Antoine's in June and the Krewe of ALLA Bash in January.
Year founded: 1909
Membership: 1500 male riders
Signature throw: hand decorated coconuts
Establish 1909 the Zulu Social Aid +Pleasure Club began as a benevolent organization and has grown into one of the most anticipated parades during Mardi Gras. The Zulu parade is famous for its vibrant and culturally rich floats, as well as its unique throws, particularly the hand-decorated coconuts, known as "golden nuggets." The tradition of throwing coconuts dates back to 1910, starting with natural, undecorated coconuts, which have since evolved into the ornate versions prized by parade attendees today. The most famous Krewe of Zulu king was Louis Armstrong who reigned in 1949. The most famous Krewe of Zulu king was Louis Armstrong who reigned in 1949.
The krewe's floats have evolved from humble beginnings; in 1915, they introduced their first float, constructed on a spring wagon adorned with palmetto leaves and moss. Today, Zulu's floats are elaborate and colorful, reflecting both the krewe's heritage and the festive spirit of Mardi Gras. The organization boasts a membership of over 800 individuals who actively engage in both parade activities and community service throughout the year. These krewes exemplify the rich history and cultural significance of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, each contributing unique traditions and spectacular floats to the celebration. Krewe of Zulu is One of the oldest majority Black krewes.
Zulu Parade (update) March 4, 2025 at 8am
The Krewe of Zulu begin at S. Claiborne and Jackson Avenue.
They parade down Jackson to St. Charles Avenue where they take a left turn.
They follow St. Charles Avenue around Lee Circle and then continue back down St. Charles to Canal Street.
At Canal Street, the Krewe takes a left turn.
They follow Canal until Basin Street where they take a right turn. The continue on Basin Street to where it becomes Orleans Avenue.
1. Krewe of Rex
Established in 1872, the Krewe of Rex is one of New Orleans' oldest and most prominent Mardi Gras organizations. Known as the "King of Carnival," Rex introduced several traditions that define modern Mardi Gras celebrations, including the official colors of purple, green, and gold. The krewe's parade features elaborate floats that are meticulously designed and constructed each year. While specific dimensions of Rex's floats are not publicly disclosed, they are renowned for their grandeur and artistic craftsmanship, often spanning multiple sections and towering over parade-goers. The krewe comprises hundreds of members who participate in the annual festivities. Krewe of Rex: The symbolic King of Carnival, some large parades have indoor balls after the parade, known as "super krewes."
Krewe of Rex March 4, 2025 at 10:30AM
The Krewe of Rex parade will start at the intersection of Napoleon Avenue and S. Claiborne Ave. (Highway 90) in New Orleans.
The parade will proceed south until St. Charles Avenue, where the krewe will turn east (left).
The Krewe of Rex will follow St. Charles all the way to Lee Circle, around the circle and back on St. Charles northward to Canal Street.
At Canal, the parade will turn southeast (right) and follow the road to the intersection of Canal and South Peters Street where the parade will end.
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