Plan ahead for carnival season

With Mardi Gras on the way (mark your calendar now for Feb. 17!), the balls and even some of the parades start this month. Get your costume made, get your decorations up and get ready for another raucous carnival season.

Editor’s note: Krewe of Jupiter and Juno parade, originally set for Jan. 31 in downtown Baton Rouge, has been cancelled this year. kreweofjupiterandjuno.com

FEB. 6
Krewe of Artemis
The first and only all-female parade of Baton Rouge rolls downtown at 7 p.m. Look for high heels and tambourines as part of the throws. The krewe’s ball is Jan. 17. kreweofartemis.net

FEB. 7
Krewe Mystique de la Capitale and Krewe of Orion
These two large parades roll downtown at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively. Mystique is the oldest parading krewe in town, and Orion has delighted fans for more than a decade with its nighttime lighted floats and masked krewe members. krewemystique.com and kreweoforion.com

FEB. 13
Krewe of Southdowns
This family-friendly evening parade is in its 28th year. Parade rolls at 7 p.m. starting at Glasgow Middle School. southdowns.org

FEB. 14
Spanish Town Parade
The biggest parade in town happens on Valentine’s Day this year, which suits the theme: St. Valentine’s Day Masquerade. If ever pink was an appropriate color for this flamingo-laden parade, now is the time. The downtown parade starts at noon. The Spanish Town Mardi Gras Ball is Jan. 31. spanishtownmardigras.com

The same day as the Spanish Town Parade, take a break from the big crowds and head to the Ultimate Louisiana Mardi Gras Party at North Boulevard Town Square. In its second year, the event will include live music, food, art and other vendors, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ulparty.com

IN NEW ORLEANS THIS MONTH
JAN. 31
Krewe du Vieux (a much more inappropriate version of the Spanish Town Parade) rolls through the Bywater and French Quarter to help kick off the season and is sure to be an offensively good time. kreweduvieux.org
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Get into the Mardi Gras spirit with our Spotify playlist below.