Things to Do in New Orleans in February

VerdictGood
Ranked#3 of 12
PricesPeak Season

Stay in New Orleans in February

49 hotels in the Trip.com pool for New Orleans, from US$25 a night.

Opens Trip.com on Fri 5 Feb to Sun 7 Feb 2027; change the dates there.

February in New Orleans is Mardi Gras. That single fact shapes everything about visiting, from hotel availability and street closures to the smell of fried dough that drifts down Decatur Street at 9 AM. Fat Tuesday, the climax of the Carnival season, lands somewhere between early February and early March depending on Easter. In most years the final two weeks of parades roll through February, and the city draws roughly 1.4 million additional visitors across the Carnival stretch.

Daytime temperatures hover around 19°C (66°F) with lows near 11°C (52°F), which sounds manageable until you've been standing on St. Charles Avenue for 3 hours in damp night air while the Krewe of Bacchus is still 30 minutes away. Humidity sits at about 79%, and February sees around 102mm of rain spread across 10 days. You will get rained on. The mild winter weather is one of the month's real advantages, though. August brings 32°C (90°F) highs and 211mm of rain, so February runs at roughly half the heat and half the rainfall.

Outside the Carnival window, the city is still worth a February visit. The Garden District's live oaks hold their leaves year-round, reservations along Magazine Street come easier, and you can cross Jackson Square without weaving through crowds 10 deep. Hotel rates across the French Quarter sit noticeably above the annual average even in early February, as Carnival anticipation lifts the whole month's pricing. If you want the once-a-year Carnival experience, February is the only option. If you'd rather explore New Orleans at a comfortable pace and price, October tends to be a better fit.

Why visit in February

Mardi Gras is the single most iconic American street festival, and February is the only month to experience it in full. Parade season fills St. Charles Avenue with floats, marching bands, and thousands of spectators catching beads and trinkets nightly for two weeks.
February's cool weather makes all-day outdoor sightseeing comfortable, a sharp contrast to summer months when heat indexes regularly exceed 40°C (104°F) and shade-free parade routes would be dangerous.
Crawfish season picks up by late January, and king cake fills every bakery from Epiphany (January 6) through Fat Tuesday. New Orleans treats the weeks before Lent as a mandate to eat well, and the restaurant creativity that results is worth the trip on its own.
Live music reaches a seasonal peak during Carnival, with brass bands, second lines, and impromptu street performances on Frenchmen Street and throughout the French Quarter most nights. The majority of it costs nothing.

Worth knowing

Hotel prices during Mardi Gras week reach their annual peak, and budget accommodation within walking distance of parade routes is nearly impossible to find without booking months in advance.
Crowds during the final Carnival weekend and Fat Tuesday are genuinely intense, especially along Canal Street and Bourbon Street. Personal space is a memory. Pickpocketing rises during parade nights.
Gulf cold fronts arrive with little warning and can drop rain on a parade route mid-evening. The routes along St. Charles Avenue offer almost no overhead shelter, so the choice during a downpour is to get soaked or give up your viewing spot.
The city's solo-traveler safety score sits at 3.8 out of 10 (see the TTDI Solo-Safety Index), and large Carnival crowds can amplify petty-crime risks. Staying aware after dark on crowded parade routes is more than standard travel advice here.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 19° / 11°C 102mm rain · 10 rainy days · 79% humidity rains perceptibly ~1.6h/day · 87% of mornings dry

Crowds peak

Pack Layers are essential for February in New Orleans. A warm base layer, a fleece or light sweater, and a waterproof shell handle most conditions. Closed-toe shoes with traction grip wet parade-route sidewalks and uneven French Quarter brick far better than sandals or dress shoes.

February alternates between crisp blue-sky stretches and grey wet spells that roll through with cold fronts off the Gulf. Morning fog from the Mississippi is common, typically lifting by mid-morning. Wind off Lake Pontchartrain adds a damp chill the thermometer doesn't fully capture. Rain tends to cluster around these fronts rather than spreading evenly, so you might get 3-4 pleasant dry days followed by 2 wet ones.

Seasonal caution

Occasional cold fronts can drop temperatures to 2-4°C (35-40°F) for a day or two before passing. These are brief but catch visitors off guard if they packed only for the average high.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for New Orleans
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	16	8	112
Feb	19	11	102
Mar	22	14	152
Apr	25	18	112
May	29	22	167
Jun	31	25	182
Jul	31	26	193
Aug	32	26	211
Sep	30	24	165
Oct	26	19	78
Nov	21	14	85
Dec	19	12	129

Holidays and festivals in February

Public holidays

Lincoln's Birthday(Lincoln's Birthday)12 February 2027
Presidents Day(Washington's Birthday)15 February 2027

Headline events

Regional Free

Mardi Gras (Carnival Season)

Final two weeks of parades in February, climaxing on Fat Tuesday (47 days before Easter, usually mid-to-late February)

The defining event of New Orleans. Carnival builds from small neighborhood parades in late January to massive nightly processions along St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street in the final two weeks before Fat Tuesday. Over 75 parades roll during the season. The major krewes, including Endymion on Saturday, Bacchus on Sunday, and Zulu and Rex on Fat Tuesday morning, draw hundreds of thousands of spectators each. Floats toss beads, trinkets, and decorated coconuts to crowds lining routes sometimes 20 deep. Fat Tuesday shuts down the city for a full day of costumed revelry that ends precisely at midnight, when Lent begins.

#MardiGras

Best things to do in February

Watching Mardi Gras parades on St. Charles Avenue

festival

The oak-lined stretch between Napoleon Avenue and Louisiana Avenue is the heart of the uptown parade route. Local families set up ladders and folding chairs hours before the first float. The sound of approaching marching bands builds for minutes before the drum line rounds the corner. Floats from the major krewes pass close enough to catch throws by hand.

Mardi Gras parades only roll during Carnival season, with the major krewes concentrated in the final 5-6 days before Fat Tuesday.

Booking tipNo ticket needed, but arrive 2-3 hours early for a good spot on the neutral ground (median) during Endymion or Bacchus.

Cemetery tour at Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1

cultural

The oldest surviving cemetery in New Orleans, founded in 1789, holds above-ground whitewashed tombs in a compact block near the French Quarter. The elaborate family vaults include the reputed resting place of Marie Laveau. Guided tours run daily and take about an hour through shadeless stone rows.

February's mild temperatures make the hour-long outdoor walk far more comfortable than the same tour in summer, when the shadeless stone paths feel brutal by 10 AM.

Booking tipSelf-guided visits are no longer permitted. Book a licensed guided tour at least a day ahead, as Carnival-season groups fill faster than usual.

Visiting the New Orleans Museum of Art and Besthoff Sculpture Garden

cultural

NOMA, founded in 1911, sits in City Park in Mid-City. The 40,000-piece collection spans French Impressionism to contemporary Louisiana photography. The adjacent Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden spreads over 60 works across 11 acres of live oaks, lagoons, and Spanish moss.

The outdoor sculpture garden is at its most walkable in February's cool weather, and the indoor galleries offer a welcome retreat on rainy parade-season days.

Booking tipWednesday admission to NOMA is free for Louisiana residents but open to all visitors. Lines are shorter than in summer months.

Witnessing Mardi Gras Indians on Fat Tuesday morning

cultural

Black masking Indian tribes spend the entire year hand-sewing feathered suits that can weigh over 50 kilograms (110 pounds). On Fat Tuesday morning, they emerge in the Treme, Central City, and 7th Ward neighborhoods for ritual encounters with rival tribes, chanting and drumming through the streets. The beadwork and feather arrangements are works of art on a human scale.

Mardi Gras Indians only mask on Fat Tuesday and, for some tribes, on St. Joseph's Day in March. February is the primary window to see them.

Booking tipNo booking needed. Head to the intersection of Claiborne Avenue and Orleans Avenue in the Treme by 9-10 AM on Fat Tuesday. Follow the drumming.

Live music crawl on Frenchmen Street

nightlife

Frenchmen Street in the Marigny runs about 3 blocks of wall-to-wall live music venues. On a typical February night you might hear brass, jazz, funk, blues, and zydeco within a 10-minute walk. The Spotted Cat Music Club and d.b.a. are the anchors, but the smaller rooms between them often deliver the best surprises. Most venues charge no cover.

Carnival energy amplifies the Frenchmen scene. More touring musicians come to town for the season, and spontaneous sit-ins happen more often than in quieter months.

Booking tipNo reservations. Show up after 9 PM and walk the strip. The Spotted Cat fills fast on weekends, so arrive by 8:30 PM to claim floor space.

Catching a New Orleans Pelicans game at Smoothie King Center

sports

The Smoothie King Center, opened in 1999, seats about 16,800 for NBA games. A Pelicans home game on a non-parade evening offers a break from the Carnival circuit, cold beer, and loud basketball in a modern arena a short walk from the French Quarter.

The NBA regular season runs through February, with the Pelicans typically hosting 6-8 home games during the month.

Booking tipTickets are generally available same-week except for marquee opponents. Check the schedule against parade dates to avoid traffic conflicts around the arena.

Garden District walking tour

sightseeing

The Greek Revival and Italianate mansions along Prytania Street date to the 1840s-1860s. February's bare crepe myrtles open sightlines to architectural details that summer foliage hides. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 on Washington Avenue adds a second above-ground cemetery to the walk.

Comfortable temperatures in the high teens (°C) and thinner deciduous foliage reveal facades and ironwork obscured in leafier months. The 90-minute walks are far more pleasant than under summer heat.

Booking tipSelf-guided walks work well with a free map from the Rink shopping center on Prytania Street. Guided tours add historical context, so book 2-3 days ahead during Carnival.

What to eat in February

On menus now

Crawfish Boil
Louisiana crawfish season starts in earnest by late January and builds through February. Early-season crawfish from the Atchafalaya Basin tend to be smaller and pricier than the March-May peak, but boiled pots seasoned with cayenne, garlic, and lemon start appearing at restaurants and backyard gatherings across the city. The smell of a boil carries for blocks.
Chargrilled Oysters
February falls squarely in the traditional R-months (September through April) when Gulf oysters are at their cold-water best. The New Orleans signature is chargrilled with garlic butter and Parmesan, served on a half shell still sizzling from the grill. Raw on the half shell is the other standard order at most French Quarter oyster bars.
Gumbo
Cool February evenings are gumbo weather in New Orleans. The dark roux-based stew comes in two camps. Creole-style uses okra and often includes shrimp and crab. Cajun leans on filé powder and andouille sausage. Nearly every neighborhood restaurant has its own take, and arguments about whose is best can last longer than the meal.

What to drink

Café Brûlot
Flambéed coffee prepared tableside with brandy, orange peel, cloves, and cinnamon. The tradition dates to the 1890s at Antoine's in the French Quarter, which still does the full presentation with the lights dimmed and blue flame arcing between ladles. February's cool evenings make it feel earned rather than theatrical.

Festival food

King Cake
Brioche-style ring in purple, green, and gold sugar, sold city-wide from January 6 through Fat Tuesday. Dong Phuong Bakery in New Orleans East fills theirs with cream cheese, while Randazzo's and Gambino's do traditional cinnamon versions. A small plastic baby baked inside means the finder buys the next round.

Regular events in February

Krewe du VieuxFree

Satirical, adult-themed walking and mule-drawn parade through the French Quarter and Marigny. Smaller and sharper than the major float parades, with hand-built miniature floats and political satire. Considered the opening signal of serious Carnival season in New Orleans.

Usually the first or second Saturday in February, roughly 2-3 weeks before Fat Tuesday

Krewe of BarkusFree

A dog parade through the French Quarter where hundreds of costumed dogs march (or are carried) along a short route. Each year has a pun-based theme. Registration typically closes by late January, but watching is free and open to all.

Usually a Sunday afternoon, 2-3 weeks before Fat Tuesday

Lundi Gras Festival at Woldenberg ParkFree

Free riverfront celebration on the Monday before Fat Tuesday, with live music stages, food vendors, and the ceremonial arrival of the Rex and Zulu monarchs by riverboat on the Mississippi. Fireworks over the river draw large crowds after dark.

The Monday before Fat Tuesday (Lundi Gras)

Best places this February

Jackson Square
historic park
Laid out in 1721 as the Place d'Armes, this historic park in front of St. Louis Cathedral fills with street artists, tarot readers, and brass ensembles during Carnival season. The Pontalba Buildings flanking the square are among the oldest apartment structures in the United States. February sees the square at its most animated.
French Quarter
St. Louis Cathedral
religious landmark
The current structure dates to 1794, making it one of the oldest continuously active cathedrals in the United States. Open for self-guided visits between masses. The quiet interior offers a sharp contrast to the Carnival noise outside its triple doors.
French Quarter
The Cabildo
museum
Built in 1795 as the seat of Spanish colonial government, now home to the Louisiana State Museum. Exhibits on the Louisiana Purchase, the origins of jazz, and Hurricane Katrina provide context that deepens the rest of a New Orleans visit. A solid option for rainy February afternoons.
French Quarter
Frenchmen Street
entertainment district
Three blocks of live-music clubs, art galleries, and bars that locals consider the real musical heart of the city. The Frenchmen Art Market operates nightly and sells work from local artists, a more interesting souvenir stop than the tourist shops on Bourbon Street.
Marigny
Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square
park and cultural site
Congo Square is where enslaved Africans gathered on Sundays in the 18th and 19th centuries to drum, dance, and trade, making it a birthplace of American jazz. February afternoons here are quiet on non-parade days, with the Mahalia Jackson Theater and the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park visitor center both nearby.
Treme
Magazine Street
shopping district
A 6-mile (9.7 km) stretch of independent shops, galleries, and restaurants running from the Warehouse District uptown through the Garden District. February's comfortable walking weather makes the full stretch manageable in a day. The densest concentration of antique shops sits between Jackson Avenue and Napoleon Avenue.
Garden District and Uptown

Your packing checklist

Tick items off as you pack. Your progress saves in this browser.

0 of 8 packed

Waterproof jacket with hoodUmbrellas are impractical in tight parade crowds. A packable rain shell lets you stay in position when a February shower rolls through mid-parade rather than scrambling for cover you won't find. Shop
Layerable clothingFebruary temperatures can swing 8-10°C between a sunny afternoon and a post-sunset parade watch. A base layer, fleece, and shell system handles the range without overpacking a suitcase. Shop
Closed-toe shoes with tractionFrench Quarter sidewalks are uneven brick and stone that get slick after rain. Parade routes accumulate spilled drinks and wet throws underfoot. Sandals or heels are a twisted-ankle risk. Shop
Small crossbody bag or fanny packKeeps hands free for catching parade throws and valuables secure against the pickpocket risk that rises with Carnival crowd density. A backpack is harder to monitor in a packed crowd. Shop
Portable phone chargerA full parade day runs 6-10 hours on foot with no outlet in sight. Photos, videos, and rideshare apps drain batteries well before the last float passes. Shop
Warm hat or beanieStanding still on the parade route after sunset feels considerably colder than walking during the day. The damp Gulf air compounds the chill in a way dry cold does not. Shop
Earplugs (concert-grade)Marching bands and float-mounted speakers regularly exceed 100 dB at close range. A pair of concert-grade plugs lets you enjoy hours of brass without ringing ears the next morning. Young children especially need ear protection on the parade route. Shop
Sunscreen (SPF 30+)Even in February, the Gulf Coast sun burns during a 4-5 hour daytime parade. The low winter sun angle catches faces and necks that a summer hat might shade. Shop

Insider tips

The best parade viewing along St. Charles Avenue is between Napoleon Avenue and Louisiana Avenue, where the crowd is mostly local families with ladders and barbecue grills. The stretch near Canal Street is louder, more tourist-heavy, and harder to navigate after dark.
King cake quality varies wildly by bakery. Dong Phuong in New Orleans East makes a cream cheese version that locals line up for by 7 AM during Carnival. If the line is too long, Bywater Bakery and Gracious Bakery are strong alternatives that tourists rarely find.
Frenchmen Street is where locals go for music. Bourbon Street is where tourists go for drinks. If you have one free evening, spend it on Frenchmen. Music starts early (usually by 6 PM) and the first set is the least crowded.
The Endymion parade on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday rolls through Mid-City along a different route from the uptown parades. The throws tend to be more generous, and the Mid-City crowd is friendlier. It finishes inside the Caesars Superdome with the Endymion Extravaganza concert.
To see Mardi Gras Indians on Fat Tuesday morning, skip Bourbon Street entirely and head to the Treme or 7th Ward by 9 AM. Follow the sound of tambourines and call-and-response chanting. The experience is raw and improvisational, nothing like the organized float parades.

Avoid these mistakes

Assuming Mardi Gras parades roll through Bourbon Street. They do not. The major parades follow St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street. Bourbon Street is a bar district, not a parade route. Visitors who plant themselves on Bourbon all day miss the floats entirely.
Not dressing warmly enough for nighttime parade watching. Standing on a sidewalk for 2-3 hours after sunset with Gulf humidity feels much colder than a daytime walk. Every February, you'll spot shivering tourists in shorts and t-shirts who checked the daytime forecast and stopped there.
Trying to drive and park near parade routes. Streets close hours before parades begin, and the tow trucks are efficient. Rideshare surge pricing rises 3-5x during peak parade hours. Walk, bike, or take the streetcar (when it's running) instead.
Booking a hotel in Metairie or Kenner because it looked cheap on a booking app. These suburbs sit 30-45 minutes from the French Quarter without parade traffic. With parade-day closures, you might not arrive at all. The savings disappear in rideshare costs and lost time.

Practical tips for February

Book Mardi Gras week accommodation 4-6 months in advance, as availability tightens sharply and cancellation policies become less forgiving. Restaurants along the parade routes fill up on parade nights, so eat before 5:30 PM or reserve at restaurants a few blocks off the route. The St. Charles streetcar shuts down on parade days, so plan on walking or using rideshare (with surge pricing) on parade evenings. Carry cash for street food vendors, tips at bars, and the occasional cash-only establishment. Many businesses close on Fat Tuesday itself, including banks and government offices. The week after Mardi Gras, New Orleans goes quiet for Lent. Hotel rates drop and restaurant reservations open up, making early March a genuine value window for visitors who want the city's character without the Carnival intensity, and crawfish season and king cake are both still going strong.

FAQ

Is February a good time to visit New Orleans?

February is an excellent time if you want to experience Mardi Gras, the city's defining cultural event. The weather is mild compared to summer, and the Carnival atmosphere is unlike anything else in the United States. The trade-offs are real, though. Prices reach their annual peak during Carnival week, crowds are the densest of the year, and last-minute bookings are difficult. If Carnival isn't your primary draw, October or November offers similarly comfortable weather with lower prices and fewer people.

What is the weather like in New Orleans in February?

February is mild New Orleans winter. Afternoons call for a light jacket, evenings for a heavier one, and the Gulf humidity makes cool air feel damper than the thermometer suggests. About a third of the month brings rain, usually as showers that pass within an hour. Layers and a rain shell cover most conditions. Compared to the summer heat and daily afternoon thunderstorms, February is comfortable for all-day outdoor plans, including standing on a parade route for hours.

How crowded is New Orleans during Mardi Gras?

Extremely crowded. The Carnival season draws well over a million additional visitors to a city of roughly 380,000 residents, most concentrated in the final weekend and Fat Tuesday. The French Quarter and main parade routes become standing-room-only during peak hours. If you want a less intense version, attend parades earlier in the season (typically the first week or two of February) when crowds are thinner and the atmosphere is more relaxed.

Is New Orleans safe for solo travelers during Mardi Gras?

New Orleans rates below average for solo-traveler safety, and the dense Carnival crowds create openings for petty theft and pickpocketing. Stick to well-lit, populated parade routes after dark. Travel in groups when possible, especially on the walk back from late-night parades. Keep valuables in a front crossbody bag rather than a backpack. NOPD stations officers every few blocks along the main parade routes during Carnival, but crowd density between those positions limits what patrols can cover.

When is Fat Tuesday in 2027?

Fat Tuesday falls 47 days before Easter, so its date shifts each year. In 2027, Easter falls on March 28, placing Fat Tuesday on February 9. The major Carnival parades typically start rolling 2-3 weeks before that date, with the biggest krewes concentrated in the final 5-6 days.