Mardi Gras Unmasked's mission is to showcase the true spirit of Mardi Gras as expressed through a remarkable spectrum of homegrown customs and traditions. We strive to stimulate and deepen the public's appreciation of New Orleans Mardi Gras as a multifaceted cultural attraction, in an online environment that not only is fun, engaging and free of commercial clutter, but also compatible with tablet computers and mobile devices.
Mardi Gras Calendar
Carnival 101
Colorful Characters
Eye Candy
Local Color and Customs
Mardi Gras Music
The real Mardi Gras is about creative costuming and krewes staging processions that are a feast for the senses — with floats that bemuse and entertain; rollicking bands full of joyful noise; inspired dance troupes and showers of baubles that stoke an exhilarating feeding frenzy. Can't you almost feel the boom of dat big bass drum? 
Seasoned advice on parade etiquette, reaping throw booty, balcony and grandstand access, how to catch a ride in a parade and much more, including answers to the most-asked Mardi Gras questions of all time — where to find a place to pee. 
5 p.m.
On a mission to bring “BacchanALIEN Revelry to the Galaxy,” this krewe of puppet masters, science fiction aficionados, mad scientists, UFO conspiracy theorists and sundry intergalactic lunatics derives its name from Chewbacca, aka Chewie, the furry sidekick to Han Solo in the Star Wars movies. Having debuted in 2011, the group is already well versed in “out there” Carnival arts. Among the attractions to be featured in this year’s “Chewbaccalypse” parade, according to the krewe’s website: a Mayan Temple on Wheels, a King Cake Flying Saucer (with alien baby), a Vietnamese rickshaw transformed into a “ ‘Chariot of the Gods’ Mobile Disco complete with glowing crystal skulls, flapping wings, rocket thrusters and spinning propellers,” plus “spaced-out” art bikes peddled by a new sub-krewe, the “Chewbikkan Cyclepods.” Other subkrewes include the VaJar Jar Binks and Scruffy-Looking Nerf Herders Dance Team, the Space Cadets Marching Corps and the Mighty Wookiee Fi-Yo and the Wild Tchewbacchatoulas Interstellar Indian tribes. As it thrusts its way through Central City and the Warehouse Arts District, in addition to their signature decorated bandolier throws, krewe members will hand out wookie panties, decorated moon pies and custom homemade medallion beads featuring robots, flying saucers, “glittery crystal skulls” and a “gold-flake infused translucent R2D2s.” Membership is open to anyone; annual dues are $42 for adults and $21 for kids 12 and under (children age 3 or can participate for free). Dues include admission to the Chewbacchanal post-parade party (at the Howlin’ Wolf, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m, with music by Clockwork Elvis and the Consortium of Genius). You can find out more and pay dues online by visiting Chewbacchus.org. Pre-parade preparations and revelry gets underway at the Big Top (1638 Clio St.) starting around 2 p.m.
