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. 
Mardi Gras Tips and Tricks
Weather and Clothing
Be prepared for variable conditions
Weather in New Orleans during Mardi Gras can vary considerably, so pack accordingly. Some days you can be comfortable in shorts and short sleeves, and maybe even catch a sunburn. Or if the weather fairy isn’t smiling, you can get hit with freezing rain. Nights are typically cool, with temperatures in the 40s or 50s, and occasionally even frigid. (The Krewe of Proteus couldn’t parade on its traditional Mardi Gras eve slot in 1899 because it was so cold the mules wouldn’t pull the floats.) So pack earmuffs, a warm hat or at the very least, a hooded sweatshirt or jacket. Also, gloves can come in handy for night parades.
While you can usually get by with a long-sleeve shirt during the day, you’ll probably need at least one extra layer at night. A lightweight raincoat is a must, and if you plan on seeing parades, so is a comfortable pair of shoes (you’ll probably end up walking and standing a lot).
If you plan on more than just a cursory tour of Bourbon Street, consider the need for extra pants and an extra pair of shoes — or better yet, leak-proof boots. The city’s most famous thoroughfare can get incredibly filthy during Mardi Gras, especially as the night wears on. Wading through piles of sticky go-cups and other malodorous detritus can quickly befoul your shoes and the bottoms of your pants. So, try to plan head and bring shoes or boots that can easily be washed or wiped clean after a night in the trenches. Or just bring an old pair of shoes that can be trashed after party is over and the city’s sanitation brigade has completed its Midnight Sweep of Bourbon Street on Fat Tuesday, making the street safe once again for shoes other than combat-style boots.
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