The Only Mardi Gras Packing List You Actually Need

Show-stopping costumes, sunscreen, cash, hydration pack, snacks, and toiletries are the must-haves items to pack for Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

But it’s not as simple as just looking pretty. You need to be practical as well. You’ll be on your feet for 8-12 hours, dealing with unpredictable February weather, massive crowds, and parades rolling down St. Charles Avenue.

I’ve done this multiple times, and trust me, packing right helps you move comfortably through crowds all day. Let’s get to the checklist below.

Here’s your printable Mardi Gras packing list. Keep this handy while packing, and scroll down through the full article for details on why each item matters.

Clothing:

• 2-3 costume outfits

• Comfortable broken-in shoes

• Layering pieces like a faux fur jacket, a kimono, and/or a sweater

Weather Gear Staples:

• Poncho

• Sunscreen and sunglasses

• Hat for sun protection

Bags and Bag Content:

• Fanny pack or small crossbody bag

• Power bank

• Hand sanitizer and tissues

• Cash in small bills

Parade Survival:

• Reusable water bottle

• Portable snacks

• Baby wipes

Accessories:

• Face gems and body glitter

• Wig or headpiece

• Temporary tattoos

Scroll down so we can talk about why you should have them, and while we’re at it, let’s also detail everything you need to know about Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras fashion is all about wearing bold colors, adding sparkle, and going big. Overdressing is part of the culture.

The challenge? You need outfits that work for parades, parties, and street walking, sometimes all in one day, while dealing with unpredictable February weather that swings from chilly mornings to warm afternoons.

Let’s break down what you actually need: the right costumes, shoes that won’t leave your feet sore, and layers that elevate your outfits instead of hiding them.

You’ll carry stuff all day at Mardi Gras, from snacks to extra layers to the beads you catch. The trick is to do it without slowing down or losing items in massive parade crowds. Some events and parades have clear bag policies, so you can’t just throw everything in any tote.

Let’s see which bags are perfect for parade-watching and what essential items you need to pack inside them.

Now that you have the ideal bag, let’s find out what you should pack in it.

• Power Bank: Your phone will drain fast from maps, photos, and staying connected with friends. Dead phones mean lost groups and missed festival moments.

• Tissues and Hand Sanitizer: Porta-potties (portable, self-contained toilets) along the parade route run out of toilet paper quickly, and bathrooms become crowded.

• Cash (Small Bills): Street vendors, food carts, and many local businesses only take cash. ATM lines during Mardi Gras season are notoriously long, and you don’t want to miss out on king cake or crawfish because you’re stuck waiting for money.

Let’s discuss more Mardi Gras essentials that first-timers seem to always forget:

• Reusable Water Bottle or Hydration Pack: You need to stay hydrated, especially if you’ll day-drink along the route (it’s okay, it’s part of the celebration). Buying water from street vendors adds up fast, and finding spots to grab a bite during peak parade times is nearly impossible.

• Snacks: Granola bars, trail mix, or anything that won’t melt in your bag works perfectly. Easy, portable snacks keep your energy up without forcing you to leave your spot on the sidewalk.

• Wet Wipes: They come in handy for sticky hands, spilled drinks, and general festival grime.

Accessories complete your look. Everywhere you look, there will be sparkle, color, and over-the-top pieces that make the whole celebration feel magical.

We’re covering two main categories: beads, glitter, and body paint (the sparkly essentials), with wigs and headpieces (the statement makers).

An estimated 25 million pounds of beads are thrown each Mardi Gras season. You can collect more by showing up early and engaging with the floats. Beads are part of the tradition, so bringing your own is unnecessary.

Instead, bring face gems, body glitter, and temporary tattoos to make you stand out in crowds and photos without weighing you down. These accessories are lightweight, easy to throw in your bag, and make a statement. Body glitter and face paint are basically traditions at this point (everyone sparkles at Mardi Gras).

You can apply them before heading out or touch up throughout the day. Pack a small makeup bag with your glitter essentials and, if needed, makeup wipes to fix smudges.

Now that you know what to bring, let’s discuss the things you should leave behind in your hotel (or back home entirely):

• Expensive jewelry can be lost in crowds or make you a target for pickpockets. Wear fun costume jewelry instead.

• Bulky luggage on parade days is a nightmare since you’ll be shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of people.

• Open-toe fancy shoes will be damaged by the messy streets and constant stepping. We already covered this, but it bears repeating.

• Full-size umbrellas block everyone’s view and take up way too much space in dense crowds.

Other than that, don’t bring anything you’d cry about losing or ruining. Mardi Gras gets chaotic, drinks get spilled, beads fly everywhere, and streets get trashed.

Start with one standout outfit from our collection of festival clothes and build everything else around it. That makes packing way less overwhelming.

If you’re still on the hunt for an outfit, Born in Stockholm ships worldwide, but pieces are handmade to order. Order early if you’re planning for Mardi Gras season so your costume arrives on time before Ash Wednesday hits and Carnival ends.

Trust me, don’t overthink this. Just pack your essentials, grab your sparkle, and get ready to enjoy the best celebration New Orleans has to offer.

As they say in Louisiana during Mardi Gras season, “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll).