NOLA Mardi Gras live updates: Scenes from Zulu, Rex, Bourbon Street costume contest and more (2024)

Everywhere else, it's just Tuesday.

But in New Orleans, Mardi Gras day is a sacred time when the city celebrates the climax (and unfortunate end) to the Carnival season.

There's no shortage of events of things to do on Fat Tuesday: beloved parades, costume parties, early-morning New Orleans traditions, general debauchery on Bourbon Street— the list goes on.

We'll update this story with photos and commentary throughout the day. Here are some early highlights.

Spirit ofFi-Yi-Yi

Victor Harris, big chief of the Mandingo Warriors Black Masking Indian tribe, is calling it quits after Fat Tuesday 2024.

He began calling himself The Spirit of Fi-Yi-Yi in 1984, after having been shunned by his previous tribe because of a misunderstanding. The phrase Fi-Yi-Yi has no exact meaning, except that it implies catharsis.

Harris and those who’ve helped him make his suits, stand out because of the African aesthetic they bring to the practice.

After a long wait, crowd of hundreds chanted in anticipation asthe air filled with the scent of sage and a woman swept the ground before him with a palm frond at the corner of Royal and Kerlerec streets.

After other members of the tribe emerged to cheers and chants, the Spirit of Fi-Yi-Yi finally appeared, and his suit was as spectacular as anticipated. it was black, trimmed with Pan-African colors and studded with cowry shells.

The crowd chanted "fire in the hole" as he strode out. And he was completely surrounded by his fans as he danced and gestured toward the heavens.

Truck parades wrap up

After a slower-than-usual roll through the city, the day's parades ended with the truck parades that were still rolling after 4 p.m.

Many paradegoers headed home or to Bourbon Street to enjoy the remaining hours before police and workers clear the famous French Quarter street at midnight.

Mayor and Rex toast

Sequins and beads blanketed the city entirely, mostly in purple, green and gold — colors initially made popular by the Krewe of Rex, toasted by Mayor LaToya Cantrell in front of Gallier Hall, a bit later than usual at about 2 p.m.

“His majesty, we have been awaiting your arrival,” Cantrell said.

As Rex, John Eastman praised Mardi Gras’ contribution to New Orleans’ economy and city leaders for making it happen.

“This is a great day for everyone to be together... to showcase this marvelous city we have worldwide,” Eastman said. “We are the epicenter of hospitality.”

Also present were Gayle Benson, Archbishop Gregory Aymond and Bon Koizumi,great grandson of the parade theme's namesake, Lafcadio Hearn, who wasa journalist who vividly wrote about New Orleans and Japan.

Hearn is perhaps best known for the famous New Orleans quote, "It is better to live here in sackcloth and ashes than to own the whole state of Ohio."

Argus rider falls

A rider fell off the top of a double-decker float in Metairie's Krewe of Argus, officials said.

He was taken to a hospital but not seriously injured, reports say.

'Gumbo Marie' dances

Scenes from Rex parade

Bourbon Street costume contest

Feathers, leather, harnesses, heels and jockstraps were the most popular pieces worn by contestants in the Bourbon Street costume contest on Mardi Gras day.

Costumes ready for St. Anne parade

Revelers dressed in elaborate homemade costumes gathered in the Bywater for the Society of Saint Anne’s parade on Mardi Gras morning.

“I always wanted to make a costume,” said Madison Sencial, 28. “And so I decided, I’m going to go all in and make a giant papier-mâché fish.” She was dressed as the rainbow fish, from the children’s book by Marcus Pfister, with only a small hole through which to see out of.

Her husband, Jordan Sencial, 31, dressed as the fisherman who catches the rainbow fish.

“He’ll have to be my guide today,” Madison added.

The half-century-old costuming club, named for a mysterious 19th-century tomb that members discovered in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, is a throwback to the informal, 19th-century foot parades that preceded the giant float processions in New Orleans.

Hundreds took part this year, all in elaborately designed outfits.

Down the block from the Sencials was another reveler whose costume impeded his ability to see clearly. Matt Lambert, 41, dressed as a disco ball. His helmet, also made out of papier-mâché, completely obscured his sight. “Good concept,” he said of his outfit. “Not the best execution.”

Meanwhile, music blared from Anna’s bar on the corner of Royal and Franklin streets. Shelby Vice, 29, did an excellent karaoke rendition of “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac while the paraders waited for the procession to start marching toward the French Quarter.

Krewe of Argus rolls

Photos from Zulu

Budweiser Clydesdales and more at Zulu

Sainte Anne brings the weird and wacky

The Marigny and Bywater was abuzz this morning with weird and wacky costumes as part of Sainte Anne, an iconic Mardi Gras day walking parade.

Black Hatchet Mardi Gras Indians in Lower Ninth Ward

Fat Tuesday kicks off with Northside Skull and Bones gang

This group of skeletons emerged onto the streets of the Treme neighborhood at 5 a.m. to pound on doors and make a racket. The goal? To make sure nobody oversleeps on Mardi Gras morning.

This is a tradition steeped in New Orleans history that began two centuries ago and was reborn in 2003.

The skeletons rise up from 1925 Bayou Road.

See the photo gallery from this morning's walk here.

Crowds gather early to catch Zulu parade

It's a chilly Fat Tuesday morning with temperatures starting in the 40s, but that didn't stop families from lining up early across the parade route to see Zulu, which began to roll at 8 a.m.

Honoring Pete Fountain's legacy

Benny Harrell, Pete Fountain's son-in-law, celebrates his legacy with Pete Fountain's Half Fast Marching Club.

"This was him. He wanted to be in the streets with the people, and we're going to carry on his tradition."

Black Masking Indians, a New Orleans tradition

These small "tribes" or "gangs" of Mardi Gras Indians emerge across many neighborhoods Tuesday morning in pursuit of other Indians. The tradition symbolizes the connection of Black and Native American cultures in the city.

Zulu, Rex parade schedule

If you want to catch a coveted Zulu coconut or watch the Rex parade, you can find the schedule, maps and Nola.com Parade Cam here.

Wear your coolest costume to St. Anne

Societe de Sainte Anne is one of the most spectacular walking groups in the city, and the revelry starts early.

To behold the spectacle, stake out a place on Royal Street at Franklin Avenue or Kerlerec Street and follow the crowd into the Vieux Carre. To distinguish St. Anne from other marching groups, look for glinting standards made from hula hoops strung with fluttering ribbons.

Neil Patrick Harris rules over Lundi Gras

The celebrity was a monarch for the Orpheus parade Monday night. Check out the photos here.

See photos, video from New Orleans Mardi Gras parades

Here's a collection of our best images from all of your favorite NOLA parades.