Carnival season on the lakefront is highlighted every year by the Krewe of UNO campus Mardi Gras parade!
After being piloted in 2010 by staff in Student Affairs and Facilities Services, the Krewe of UNO Mardi Gras Parade became an annual tradition in 2016, once again bringing the Carnival spirit to the shores of Lake Pontchartrain! Each year, the parade rolls through the campus streets on the Tuesday before Mardi Gras. Participants include campus offices, student organizations, and community members eager to celebrate the season for the University of New Orleans and its surrounding community.
Thank you for celebrating Carnival season with UNO! There were multiple ways to participate for the 2025 parade, which will roll on Tuesday, Feb. 25th at 12:30 p.m. This year's theme was "Heroes of UNO" celebrating the everyday heroes who make our campus an incredible place to learn, work, and thrive. From inspiring professors to dedicated staff and students, let’s honor the heroes who keep our Privateer spirit strong!
The parade will begin in the HPC Parking Lot, making its way past Benjamin Franklin High School and Hynes UNO. From there, we’ll follow Founders Road to Levee Drive and end at the Homer Hitt Alumni Center.
But the fun doesn’t stop when the floats do! Stick around the Alumni Center for King Cake, hot chocolate, and good times after the parade concludes!
Watch Highlights from the 2024 Parade
Participants may register a parade float, walking group, or a watch party along the parade route. Volunteers may also register to assist with the parade logistics. Additional details about participation requirements and expectations are listed on the Krewe of UNO registration form.
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler with your Krewe of UNO!
Watching the 2025 Parade
On-campus students, faculty, and staff
There's no bad place to watch the parade! Chartwell's Dining Services will have special giveaways along the route from the Cove to the University Center!
Community members
Please note that if you're coming from campus to watch the parade, the Human Performance Center and portions of the University Center parking lots will be be closed for staging.
Parents & family members of K-12 students
We are excited to welcome students from Hynes, Morris Jeff, and Sophie B. Wright in our annual parade! Parents who are coming to campus to watch the parade should be in contact with your respective school's administration for more information about where to park and meet to watch together!
Hynes parents: We encourage you to line up on Leon C. Simon to view the Hynes UNO students in the parade!
Help us recognize your UNO heroes! Has someone gone above and beyond to help make your experience at the University of New Orleans better? Who is the person you think of when you hear about Privateer Spirit? We want to know!
Your generous donations would be a huge help to support entertainment, parade publicity and general administrative costs of coordinating the annual Krewe of UNO Parade. The parade is a favorite tradition for the University of New Orleans community and Hynes Charter School, with hundreds of viewers on-campus and over one thousand livestream viewers on Facebook Live each year.
