Mardi Gras Day is the grand finale of Carnival season in New Orleans, bringing together more than a century of tradition, pageantry, and carefully choreographed chaos (the good kind).
The celebration is anchored by two historic krewes: Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, known for its famous coconut throws, and Rex, the organization widely credited with establishing the colors and customs of modern Mardi Gras. Together, their parades feature elaborate floats, marching bands, and ceremonial moments like Rex receiving the keys to the city.
Unlike many nationally televised parades, Mardi Gras Day isn’t produced as a single, unified broadcast. Coverage is deeply local, shaped by New Orleans TV stations that have followed these parades for decades and know when and where the most important moments unfold.
In this guide, I’ll explain exactly how to watch the Mardi Gras parades live in 2026, helping you find the right feeds wherever you are.
2026 Mardi Gras Day Parades
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 17
Start time: 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT)
Key Parades: Zulu, Rex, Elks, Crescent City
Local channels: WWL (CBS 4), WDSU (NBC 6), WVUE (FOX 8)
Streaming: Very Local, YouTube, Station Apps
What channels show Mardi Gras parades?
Local New Orleans television stations are the primary broadcasters of Mardi Gras Day parades, with anchors and camera crews stationed along the Uptown routes to capture Zulu and Rex. The three major stations to look for are WWL-TV (CBS 4), WDSU (NBC 6), and WVUE (FOX 8).
While there’s no single national broadcast for Mardi Gras like there is for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, these local stations make it easy to watch from anywhere. Most simulcast their coverage live on their websites and mobile apps. Additionally, the Very Local app streams WDSU’s parade coverage for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, providing a seamless experience for cord-cutters outside of Louisiana.
Pro tip: You don’t have to wait for Fat Tuesday to start the celebration. Dozens of parades—including “super krewes” like Endymion, Bacchus, and Muses—roll in the weeks leading up to February 17, and you can stream many of them live on NOLA.com and local station apps.
2026 Mardi Gras Day TV schedule
Mardi Gras Day parades unfold in a carefully timed sequence that defines the rhythm of Fat Tuesday. While the Carnival season technically begins weeks earlier on Twelfth Night (January 6), the grand finale on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, is what the world watches.
The broadcast day typically begins with the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, which rolls at 8:00 a.m. CT, setting the tone with its exuberant floats and coveted coconut throws. Not long after, the Rex parade begins at 10:30 a.m. CT, bringing pageantry, tradition, and the symbolic handover of the city’s keys.
The celebration continues into the afternoon with the Krewe of Elks Orleans and the Krewe of Crescent City. Both are “truck parades” that follow the Rex route, extending the flow of music and spectacle well past midday.
While weather or crowd conditions can occasionally shift start times, this lineup remains the backbone of the day.
Fat Tuesday parade times and channels
| Parade | Start time (CT)* | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club | 8:00 a.m. | WDSU, WWL, FOX 8, Very Local |
| Rex Organization | 10:30 a.m. | WDSU, WWL, FOX 8, Very Local |
| Krewe of Elks Orleans | Follows Rex | WDSU, WWL, FOX 8, Very Local |
| Krewe of Crescent City | Follows Elks | WDSU, WWL, FOX 8, Very Local |
Parade times are in Central Time. Start times are approximate and subject to delays.
Best TV plans for watching Mardi Gras parades
When I want reliable Mardi Gras Day parade coverage, my first step is finding the TV stations that actually produce the broadcasts rather than relying on random online clips.
In New Orleans, that means tuning in to WWL-TV, WDSU, and WVUE. These local channels are the backbone of Mardi Gras telecasts because they dedicate their entire morning to tracking each float, krewe, and marching band along the Uptown route. You get commentary, history, and local perspective you won’t find on a generic national feed.
How to watch without cable
If you’re outside the broadcast area or don’t have cable, here are the best ways to access those same high-quality station feeds.
- Best for Streaming – Very Local: The Very Local app streams WDSU’s coverage for free on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV. It typically begins early on Mardi Gras Day and runs all day, giving you a front-row seat without a subscription.
- Best for Flexibility – YouTube: Keep the local outlet channels handy. The NOLA.com, WWL-TV, WDSU, and WVUE YouTube channels regularly post live streams or near-live clips, which is perfect if you miss the start of Zulu or want to re-watch a specific float on demand.
- Best for Locals – Antenna TV: If you live in the Greater New Orleans area, a simple over-the-air antenna is the most reliable way to catch every moment on WWL-TV (channel 4), WDSU (channel 6), or FOX 8 (channel 8) without worrying about internet lag.
How to watch Mardi Gras parades FAQ
How can I watch Mardi Gras parades for free?
You can watch Mardi Gras Day parades for free by downloading the Very Local app, which streams WDSU's full coverage live without a subscription. Additionally, stations like WWL-TV and WVUE often stream their broadcasts for free on their websites and YouTube channels.
Can I watch Mardi Gras parade replays?
Yes. If you miss the live bead throws, you can find full parade replays and highlight clips on the YouTube channels for WWL-TV, WDSU, and NOLA.com. These outlets typically upload footage of major krewes like Zulu and Rex shortly after the parade ends.
Is Mardi Gras on national TV?
No, there isn't a single national broadcast for Mardi Gras Day. To watch the parades from outside New Orleans, you must stream a local affiliate feed via an app like Very Local or YouTube.
Are there Spanish or French broadcasts for Mardi Gras?
There are typically no dedicated Spanish- or French-language live broadcasts for Mardi Gras Day parades. But you can often find multilingual clips and cultural context on local station apps. For French heritage content specifically, check out programming from WYES (New Orleans' PBS affiliate).
Who announces the Mardi Gras parades?
Because coverage is local, the announcers vary by station. You'll typically see beloved local news anchors from each station hosting the coverage, often joined by local historians or Mardi Gras experts who explain the significance of specific floats and costumes.
