Your Ultimate Mardi Gras Party Guide

Mardi Gras 2027 falls on Tuesday, February 9, 2027.

Serve classic New Orleans dishes like chicken and sausage jambalaya, seafood gumbo, and warm powdered-sugar beignets. Pair the meal with signature batch cocktails like rum Hurricanes, citrusy French 75s, or non-alcoholic fruit punch. Always provide a traditional king cake decorated in purple, green, and gold sugar for dessert.

Slice and serve the cinnamon-swirled king cake so every guest receives a piece containing either pastry or the hidden plastic baby figurine. Tradition dictates that the person who finds the baby figurine in their slice is crowned king or queen for the day and hosts the party next year. For child safety, substitute the baked-in plastic figurine with a whole pecan or place the toy on top of the cake.

Set up a mask-decorating craft station stocked with blank paper masks, feathers, sequins, and glue sticks. Run a bead-toss carnival challenge where players toss beaded necklaces into tiered buckets worth 5, 10, and 20 points from 6 feet away. Later in the evening, host a New Orleans trivia tournament with prizes like custom doubloons or praline boxes.

Stick strictly to the traditional color scheme of purple, green, and gold using affordable metallic tablecloths, streamers, and balloons. Buy bulk plastic beaded necklaces to drape across mantels, light fixtures, and dining tables. Stream classic New Orleans brass band and jazz music on repeat to establish an authentic festive carnival atmosphere without spending extra money.

Invite guests to wear festive attire or casual clothing accented with purple, green, and gold. Provide a basket of colorful bead necklaces and feathered masks at the front door so arriving attendees can dress up immediately. Hand out ribbons for the best mask, most vibrant costume, and most creative use of beads.