United States, North America

New Orleans in February

In most years the parade season peaks this month. Glorious chaos and peak pricing on the final weekend; the weeks before are easier.

BestMild, highs near 65F (18C), some rain

French Quarter New Orleans, United States — New OrleansPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

February is one of the best months of the year to visit New Orleans. In most years the parade season peaks this month. Glorious chaos and peak pricing on the final weekend; the weeks before are easier.

Weather: Mild, highs near 65F (18C), some rain
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What February is like in New Orleans

February is Carnival month in most years. Highs are near 65F (18C), with mild days, cool nights and some rain. Parades build over the two to three weeks before Fat Tuesday, which falls 47 days before Easter, so it moves between early February and early March. The final weekend brings peak crowds, closed streets and hotel rates that can double or triple.

Go if you want Mardi Gras and you book early. Families do best on the Uptown St. Charles route, not Bourbon Street. If you want a calmer trip, come in the earlier weeks of the season, or skip to November for comfortable weather at off-season prices.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about New Orleans this month.

Mardi Gras parades

Krewes roll almost nightly in the final stretch before Fat Tuesday. Check the year's date first, since it moves with Easter.

Family parade watching Uptown

Local families set up ladders and chairs along St. Charles Avenue, and kids catch beads and toys from the floats.

The weekends before the big one

The two weekends before the final one bring full parades with thinner crowds and lower rates.

What to pack for February

Layers for cool parade nights
A bag for all the beads and throws
Comfortable shoes for standing for hours
A light rain jacket
Folding chairs or a step stool if you are watching with kids

Our timing tip

Look up the year's Fat Tuesday date first, then book a room for the weekend two weeks before it for full parades at lower rates.

Book New Orleans for February.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in New Orleans
Opens a hotel search for New Orleans in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for February
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Vacation rentals in New Orleans
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets in New Orleans
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in New Orleans for February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
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What's on in February

Mardi Gras (Carnival season)

Parades build over the two to three weeks before Fat Tuesday, which falls between early February and early March

One of the biggest free parties in the country. Watch Uptown on St. Charles for the family-friendly version.

Things to do in New Orleans

Full guide

The National WWII Museum

Plan a full day; it is one of the best museums in the country. Weekday mornings are calmest.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The French Quarter and Jackson Square

Walk it early before the day-trippers arrive. Royal Street by day, Frenchmen Street by night, and Bourbon Street only if you want to.

Tickets and tours →

St. Charles streetcar and the Garden District

Ride the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world past the mansions to Audubon Park. Cheap, slow, perfect.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Frenchmen Street music

The locals' answer to Bourbon Street: three blocks of clubs with live bands from early evening on.

Tickets and tours →

City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art

Giant live oaks, the free sculpture garden, and beignets under the trees. Bigger than Central Park.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park

The French Quarter visitor center runs ranger talks, and the Barataria Preserve boardwalk puts you in a real swamp a short drive away.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

For Mardi Gras, the two weekends before the final weekend offer full parades at lower rates and thinner crowds.
Stay in the Marigny, Bywater, or Garden District instead of the Quarter. You get quieter nights and are still a streetcar or short ride from the action.
Do the Quarter, Cafe du Monde, and Jackson Square before 9am. By late morning, cruise-ship and day-trip crowds arrive.
November and early December deliver spring-quality weather at off-season prices. It is the smart-money window.

Know before you go

Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from late August through September. A named storm can trigger closures or evacuations; buy refundable rates and insurance for late summer trips.
During the final days of Mardi Gras, parade routes close streets for hours and traffic across Uptown and downtown can gridlock. Many businesses close on Fat Tuesday itself.
Many old-line restaurants and some small museums close one or two days a week, often Monday or Tuesday. Check before you plan a special dinner.
Crawfish season runs roughly January through June, peaking in spring. Come in fall and the boils are mostly off the menu.