Statewide Mardi Gras Accessibility Guide

Carencro 

The Carencro Mardi Gras Association hosts their Annual Mardi Gras parade each year. This year the parade is January 31st at 11:00 am along University Ave from Carencro High to the Carencro Community Center. Throughout the parade route there are ADA compliant sidewalks on University Ave.

There will be several parking spots for rent along the parade route and also parking at Pelican Park that is free but with limited accessibility.

It is recommended that individuals with accessibility issues take Luxford Way to the north parking lot at Pelican Park. From there it is a block away from University Ave with very smooth streets.

Accessible parking is also offered at City Hall.  

The parade starts at 11 am. Streets will close at 9:45 am.

It is recommended that anyone attending arrive early. 

Houma

Mardi Gras in Houma is a true Cajun celebration. With over a dozen parades full of colorfully themed floats, scores of marching bands, and tons of great throws, Houma has one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in Louisiana.

A special viewing area for individuals with disabilities is located at the start of the parades by Southland Mall. In this area, there will be no throws.

A second area, located at the bus terminal (7597 W. Main St. Houma) is wheelchair accessible and designated as a family friendly area.

Jefferson Parish

In Jefferson Parish, the spirit of Mardi Gras comes alive in communities including the Westbank, Eastbank, Kenner, and Jean Lafitte, each hosting parades and events that honor this rich cultural tradition.

Specifically in Metarie, there is a Public Stand on the corner of Veteran's Blvd. and Causeway Blvd that is handicapped accessible. However, an advanced ticket is needed and numbers are limited. Streets and crosswalks are also handicapped accessible.

Lake Charles

Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana is a family-friendly festival and even has an entire day devoted to kids. The 2026 Mardi Gras Children's Day takes place on Sunday, February 15, 2026 prior to the Children's Day Parade at the Lake Charles Event Center in the Exhibition Hall.

Children’s Day, a free event, combines Mardi Gras fun with culture, music and learning. Although there are a few sensory friendly activities the duration of the event, kids with disabilities are invited to attend 45 minutes before the regular crowd.

For the Children's Day Parade, a "quiet zone" for individuals with autism or other disabilities is designated at the end of the parade route Sunday, February 15, 2026, around the intersection of Ryan Street and Sale Road.

Floats in this area are encouraged to turn their music off to reduce sensory triggers. Designated handicap parking is also available nearby behind the Jeff Davis bank.

In addition, there will be a Mardi Gras Community Dance, a fun, inclusive evening celebrating the Mardi Gras spirit, music, and community.

Lafayette

As Lafayette swings into the Mardi Gras season, they are proud to announce the Sensory Safety Zone for those individuals with disabilities.

This Accessible Mardi Gras Zone at Fire Station No. 5 is an area where those with sensory sensitivities can enjoy the parades with less triggers. Around this area, bands will respect the quiet zone and noises will be kept to a minimum.

Monroe/West Monroe

Mardi Gras in the "Twin Cities" of Monroe and West Monroe, Louisiana, features major parades and community events. 

The Mardi Gras Guide is your go-to resource for celebrating in Monroe-West Monroe. Click through to explore events, dining, and all the festive fun waiting in Ouachita Parish.

Look for the Krewe De Riviere, an inclusive community krewe specifically built on the values of welcoming and including everyone. The formation also sparked the creation of an all inclusive women's dance team lead with empowerment, community service, and sisterhood called The LunaChicks.

Mardi Gras on the Cajun Coast - St. Mary Parish

Only 1.5 hours from New Orleans and Baton Rouge and 1.25 hours from Lafayette, Mardi Gras on the Cajun Coast is family fun. Friday leading into Fat Tuesday, enjoy parades throughout St. Mary Parish. Cities include: Franklin, Morgan City, Patterson, Baldwin, Siracusaville, and Berwick.

Most sidewalks and crosswalks are wheelchair accessible in all cities.

Patterson has a designated disability friendly zone located at City Hall on Main Street where individuals with disabilities may enjoy a sensory quiet zone and viewing area.

The City of Franklin is working to establish a designated accessible viewing area for people with disabilities for the upcoming parade.

Opelousas 

The Opelousas Mardi Gras Association hosts the Imperial Mardi Gras Parade each year on Mardi Gras Day. 

This year the parade is February 17th am and begins on East Landry near Le Vieux Village, turns left onto Liberty Street, and ends on Grolee Street.     

Accessible parking is available at several places along the route including Le Vieux Village, St. Landry Parish Courthouse, and Opelousas City Hall. 

Sidewalks around the Courthouse are also ADA compliant.   

The 4th Annual ZydeGras on the Square, featuring Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, will take place on the Courthouse Square following the parade.

New Orleans

Viewing and Seating Options:

• Gallier Hall ADA Grandstand: The City of New Orleans typically provides a free dedicated viewing space for people with disabilities across from Gallier Hall (545 St. Charles Ave). Spaces are limited and usually require advance registration through the Mayor's Office.
• Lafayette Square: Offers ADA-compliant portable toilets and a designated drop-off area on Camp Street for passengers with special needs.
• Touro Synagogue "Krewe of VIPs": Provides free, wheelchair-accessible balcony viewing for children and adults with disabilities on St. Charles Ave.
• Private Grandstands: Vendors like Mardi Gras Parade Tickets offer accessible seating, often at the front rail, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sensory & Health Support:

• Sensory Activation Vehicles (SAV): For 2026 look for SAVs (often located at St. George's School, 923 Napoleon Ave) that provide a calming environment for those needing a break from sensory overload.
• First Aid Stations: Accessible emergency care centers are positioned along major routes, including St. Charles Ave at Louisiana Ave, Canal St, and Napoleon Ave.
• Charging Stations: Solar-powered stations prioritizing electric wheelchairs and assistive devices are typically available at Lafayette Square and Harmony Circle.

Accessible Transportation

• Streetcars: Red streetcars (Canal, Riverfront, and Rampart lines) are fully ADA-accessible with motorized lifts. Efforts are still underway to increase accessible "green" streetcars on the historic St. Charles Ave line.
• Buses & Ferries: All New Orleans city buses "kneel" and have ramps. Mississippi River ferries are also accessible via ramps.
• Equipment Rentals: Companies like Mobility City New Orleans and Mr. Wheelchair provide rentals for scooters and wheelchairs with delivery options.

Accessibility Row

• The Krewe of Krampus is pleased to offer the first and only accessible and inclusive parade in New Orleans with an Accessibility Row on Independence Street between Royal and Burgundy Streets.
• In the two block section there are areas for people with limited mobility, there is an area with a host providing audio descriptions of the parade for people that are blind, there is an American Sign Language interpreter for people that are deaf or hard of hearing, and a "Quiet Zone" for children with sensory processing needs.
• As the Krewe does offer throws, if you are located in the Quiet Zone and a throw would cause any difficulty, they have created a "No Throws" graphic for you to print and attach to yourself or anyone with you.
• For more information, click here.

Shreveport 

The City of Shreveport has three areas accessible along the parade route.  

• The downtown parking lots are available and designated handicap parking. This parking is patrolled on event days to ensure compliance parking laws. The accessible route from these parking areas to the beginning of the parades at Clyde Fant Parkway and Lake Street is by sidewalks that are compliant with ADA regulations.   This location is one where a parade goer wanting to watch the parade during the day would view the parade.

• A parking lot at Clyde Fant and Stoner Avenue is the halfway point of the parade located near the family area (No alcohol allowed) and near an area that is not part of the family area.   

• The intersection of East Kings Highway and Atlantic Avenue is near the end of the route and includes a designated viewing area. This is where those wanting to see the parade at night might park to view the parade.   

The city of Shreveport has ensured they have accessible parking and viewing locations at every interval of the parade. 

Also, parking along the parade route is allowed from the start of the parades (Clyde Fant and Lake Street) to the end (East Kings Highway and Preston Avenue). A parade goer can pull their vehicle next to the parade route if they want to do so.   

Temporary toilet facilities and hand-washing stations (those include accessible toilets and sinks) will also be provided.   

Thibodaux 

The City of Thibodaux welcomes all visitors to their Mardi Gras festivities.

Parade routes generally start and end at Nicholls State University, following a uniform route through parts of Audubon Ave, Menard Street, Canal Boulevard, and West 2nd Street.

There are many sidewalks throughout The City of Thibodaux parade route that are accessible as well as the Reviewing Stand that is set up on Highway 1, behind City Hall, 310 West 2nd St. Thibodaux, LA . 

A Family Friendly Zone is available at Peltier Park - 151 Peltier Park Dr., Thibodaux, LA for visitors to enjoy.