Mardi Gras 2014 - Same Week as the Crawfish Boil!

Posted by Benson

The 7th annual DGA Crawfish boil is Saturday, March 8th.  That's the second Saturday in March.  The crawfish boil is on the second Saturday of March every year, for those of you who like to plan ahead.

Easter, and consequently Lent, also has a moving date, though it has to do with theoretical lunar cycles based on inaccurate calculations made hundreds of years ago, as opposed to March Madness.  As a result, Ash Wednesday can be as late as March 10th, so sometimes, just sometimes, Mardi Gras falls late the same year that the Crawfish Boil is early.

This is one of those years.  Mardi Gras 2014 is on Tuesday, March 4th, which is fantastic news because it means that Fat Tuesday is the same week as the crawfish boil!

So those of you planning on coming to the crawfish boil can get a chance to see Mardi Gras in New Orleans if you extend the trip just a bit. It also means that if you're not looking to go to Mardi Gras, travel should be relatively easy as the city tends to empty out of tourists on or immediately after Fat Tuesday.

If you want to come to carnival, think about making your travel plans early because Mardi Gras week is the most hopping time in New Orleans.  Take a look at some of our hotel suggestions to get you started.  The city tends to book pretty solid during Mardi Gras, but we have suggested some nice places to stay on the Northshore, like Annadele Plantation, where it might be easier to find a good room.  If you are just coming for the boil, you should not have much trouble finding a hotel room in the city.

If you have never been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, it really is an amazing experience and I can't recommend it enough.  Most of us are going to be enjoying the carnival festivities ourselves, but that means we will be on hand to help you get the most out of the Mardi Gras experience.  We can give you the inside info on how to experience Mardi Gras like a real New Orleanian from choice spots on parade routes to pointers on how to navigate the city when the krewes are rolling.

This is an excellent opportunity to really soak in New Orleans culture and have an absolutely fantastic time in the crescent city!