How Mardi Gras will be different in New Orleans this year — and how to celebrate at home
We don't have to tell you how much the coronavirus pandemic has changed the world over the past year. From closed borders to multiple aggressive strains of COVID-19 zipping across the globe, festivals have become a thing of the past.
On Feb. 16, New Orleans will celebrate Mardi Gras, one of the city's most festive religious holidays that's also the best times to chant the unofficial slogan of New Orleans, laissez les bon temps rouler — a Cajun-French saying that translates to "let the good times roll."
But in 2021, the city's usual warm welcome has been replaced with polite but firm reminders of the ongoing pandemic.
Here's what you need to know about Mardi Gras 2021 in New Orleans and how you can safely celebrate wherever you are.
'More than just king cakes and beads'
As TPG's Samantha Rosen says, "Mardi Gras is so much more than just a boozy party on Bourbon Street."
Mardi Gras is "a religious holiday, a season of traditions that we celebrate every year, a time that the community comes together in formal, fun and often unexpected ways," said New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
Related: A beginners' guide to celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans
For the uninitiated, Mardi Gras isn't just a single-day event, even if its name — French for “Fat Tuesday” — technically means exactly that. Mardi Gras is the culmination of a month-long celebration of Carnival, the indulgent season that precedes the 40-day Lenten period of self-restraint that ends on Easter Sunday each year.
Mardi Gras weekend is actually the culmination of Carnival season, which began on Jan. 6, Epiphany, a traditional Christian feast day. Carnival extends until Mardi Gras, which lands on Tuesday, Feb. 16, in 2021.
While New Orleans is the North American city best known for celebrating Mardi Gras, it's also widely celebrated throughout regions of Europe and South America that have strong historical Catholic influence. The largest and most famed festivals take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Barcelona, Spain; and Barranquilla, Colombia. In the United States, Florida's Key West and Alabama's Mobile are also known for noteworthy Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrations.
Krewes — exclusive social clubs that organize each year's many parades — are an integral part of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and being invited to ride on one of the parade floats is a huge honor. Many of the most popular parades are perennial affairs, including Muses, Zulu, Bacchus, Endymion, Orpheus and the King of Mardi Gras: Rex. Since parades take place on major thoroughfares throughout the city, crowds are all but inevitable.
Nightlife and live music comes after the daytime parades and can last for hours. While the city has regulated how late festivities can continue at night, private parties still crop up irrepressibly throughout the month of Carnival, culminating in frenzied merriment on Mardi Gras.
'Not canceled — just different'
As you'd expect, pre-pandemic Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrations were often festive to the point of excess, especially with drinks and food readily available on any and every street corner. In fact, some of your wildest Mardi Gras experiences could come from open-door mansion parties offering up open bars and expansive buffets for anyone who cares to stop in.
But in an era of a highly contagious virus easily transmitted from human contact, it's safe to say that free-for-all food fests will be a thing of the past for some time, if not indefinitely.
Gathering in throngs is also a traditional hallmark of the Mardi Gras festival. "One of the more beautiful aspects of New Orleans Mardi Gras is the intimacy," said TPG guest writer John Harper in 2017, a year that boasted 33 parades marching along St. Charles Avenue alone, some extending for miles.
Yet following New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's injunctions for safety means that this year's celebration will look completely different — just like the ever-popular French Quarter has since pandemic lockdowns went into effect.
This year's modified Mardi Gras plans are "not canceled — just different," Cantrell said in a November 2020 statement. Cantrell stressed that, with coronavirus cases spiking throughout the U.S., the city would have to modify the Carnival season celebrations to keep everyone safe.
"We have done an amazing job flattening the curve, and hopefully, it will stay that way through the winter," Cantrell said. "But we are surrounded by hot spots, and we don’t know what the future holds in store for us."
As a religious holiday, Mardi Gras cannot be canceled outright. But Cantrell asked merrymakers to keep the following safety questions in mind as they planned festivities:
- Would this create unstructured crowds of strangers (intentionally or unintentionally?)
- Can this be modified so it would be compliant with public health guidelines in effect at that time?
- Can this be moved outdoors?
- Can this be a structured, ticketed, timed, and/or seated event?
- How would this be monitored or enforced?
- How will this ensure households stay together and at least six feet apart from other households?
- Where are people likely to gather (intentionally or non-intentionally)?
- Is this likely to draw a crowd from surrounding hot spots, or is this meant for locals?
- If it does draw a crowd and visitors, how will the risk of “importing” COVID-19 be mitigated or reduced?
The city of New Orleans returns to a Phase 2 level of COVID precautions on Jan. 29, easing up on some restrictions that were imposed during the 2020 holiday season.
In addition to standard social distancing and mask requirements, indoor gatherings are still limited to 10 or fewer individuals at a time, while outdoor events are limited to a maximum capacity of 25 individuals. In both scenarios, all attendees must maintain social distance and mask up. Large-scale events, festivals and shows are still prohibited.
Create your own krewe wherever you are
As Mayor Cantrell says, Mardi Gras isn't canceled, but it will be different this year. Faithful festival lovers can still recreate some of the magic, however, by coming up with celebrations at home.
Take a tip from the New Orleans krewes, which plan individual activities for each year's celebration. It won't be the same as catching beads from floats, but cheap baubles from Amazon can add some fun for home gatherings, while bakers will enjoy trying their hand at making a traditional king cake at home.
At the end of the day, the essence of Mardi Gras is a sense of community, not just a destination. While celebrations will look different this year, some careful planning in the spirit of Fat Tuesday will help you laissez les bon temps rouler.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.