23 Festive, Fun Mardi Gras Party Ideas for 2024

Finding the best Mardi Gras party ideas will help make your event even more entertaining and memorable. According to Mardi Gras New Orleans, this celebration is all about music, traditions and excitement. Incorporating traditional activities and themes into your event will bring some life to your party!

What are some Mardi Gras themes? From a Masquerade Ball to Carnival Celebration, there are plenty of unique activities to help you create an exciting event. Depending on your theme, you can easily entertain your guests with a festive band or delicious meal to ring in Fat Tuesday.

So, how do you throw a fun Mardi Gras party? We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Mardi Gras party ideas to help you throw a memorable event.

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• Foodie Mardi Gras Party Ideas
• Creative Mardi Gras Party Ideas
• Unique Mardi Gras Party Ideas
• Game Mardi Gras Party Ideas

Foodie Mardi Gras Party Ideas

1. Cooking Classes

Learn a new recipe for one of the best Mardi Gras party ideas. A top-rated chef will guide your crew through a delicious recipe to get into the Mardi Gras spirit. Discover how to create a mouthwatering jambalaya or become a pro at baking favorite Mardi Gras desserts.

Explore unique cooking classes in New Orleans, cooking classes in St. Louis or cooking classes in Atlanta. Wherever you’re celebrating, discover interactive cooking classes near you for a scrumptious Mardi Gras party idea.

2. Online Cooking Classes

Book online cooking classes to bring your party together in the kitchen. Discover beloved Mardi Gras favorites to add to your home cooking. An experienced chef will lead your crew in a live, interactive setting where you can ask questions as you level up your cooking skills. From cooking Creole favorites to creating fresh, handmade pasta, everyone at your party will love this engaging activity.

3. Hire a Caterer

Hire a local caterer or book a food truck for an exciting Mardi Gras party in New Orleans. With delicious restaurants around town, there’s no better way to experience classic Mardi Gras food for your party!

4. Host a Cook-Off

Invite your friends to bring their favorite Mardi Gras meals to your event. As one of the best Mardi Gras party food ideas, this activity will ensure that your party is stocked with delicious food options.

If you’re looking for Mardi Gras party ideas for seniors, a cook-off will also provide some incredible homestyle meals to ring in the big holiday.

5. Serve Up King Cake

Remember to serve King Cake for one of the best Mardi gras party food ideas. Whether you bake your own cake or purchase from a local bakery, remember to place a plastic baby into this delicious dessert. Whoever receives the slice with the plastic baby will host the next Mardi Gras event!

Creative Mardi Gras Party Ideas

6. Festive Paint and Sip Session

Engage your creativity for one of the best Mardi Gras party ideas for adults. Whatever your skill level, a talented artist will guide you through painting a beautiful masterpiece to hang in your home.

Sip your favorite adult beverage during one of the best paint party ideas for adults. Find creative paint and sip in Los Angeles, paint and sip in San Diego or paint and sip in NYC. Whether you’re based in NOLA or somewhere else in the country, you're bound to discover exciting paint and sip near you.

7. Pottery Classes

Channel your inner Swayze to celebrate Fat Tuesday with pottery classes. Whether you’re new to this activity or you’ve created pottery before, you’ll learn how to use the pottery wheel to create custom items like mugs, plates and vases. Or explore pottery painting ideas to decorate a Mardi Gras masterpiece!

Discover pottery classes in NYC, pottery classes in Houston or pottery classes in the Bay Area. Wherever you’re located, there are tons of pottery classes near you.

8. Dance Classes

Get into the groove with dance classes for a fun Mardi Gras party idea. An upbeat instructor will teach you the choreography for a fun dance that will bring everyone together.

Whether you’re looking to engage your friends with swing classes, or the classic rhythm and blues, these classes are suited for any skill level. Find exciting dance classes in Las Vegas, dance classes in NYC or dance classes in the Bay Area. If you’re hosting your Mardi Gras party at home, book online dance classes for a fun party activity.

9. Make Mardis Gras Masks

Create your own costume with one of the best Mardi Gras party ideas. Purchase masks, beads and feathers to make your own custom Mardi Gras masks. Whether you’re hosting the entire party at your house or hitting up a club, this activity is one of the best perfect girls night ideas for customizing your memorable outfit.

10. Face Painting

Hire a face painter to make your event a success. Add beautiful designs to your complexion for one of the most festive Mardi Gras party ideas. Whether or not kids are on the guest list, everyone will love this activity.

11. Rent a Photobooth

Hire a photographer to capture your event for one of the best Mardi Gras party ideas. Ask the photographer to bring unique props traditional to the holiday for a classic photo shoot. This party idea will be perfect for memorializing your exciting event.

Unique Mardi Gras Party Ideas

12. Virtual Wine Tastings

Sip and sample some of the best wines with virtual wine tastings. Known as one of the best mardi gras party ideas for adults, a renowned sommelier will guide your crew through unique blends that pair perfectly with their favorite Mardi Gras meals. From full-bodied blends to smooth finishes, this activity will be the perfect nightcap for any Mardi Gras party.

13. Online Mixology Classes

Level up your bartending skills with online mixology classes. Experienced mixologists will guide you through delicious recipes in a live, interactive setting.

Discover how to make some NOLA favorites, such as hurricanes or sazeracs to impress your guests. Practice your shaken and stir methods to create unique drinks to celebrate Fat Tuesday.

14. Fire Dancers

Add some excitement to your event with a thrilling fire dancer show. These dancers will eat, breathe and dance with fire for a unique centerpiece to your Mardi Gras party. Hire a solo performer or a team of dancers for an exciting show for your guests.

15. Hire a Local Band

Fill your event with some local music for one of the best Mardi Gras party ideas. If you’re in one of the best cities for artists, you're bound to find some great music to captivate guests at your party.

16. Book a Caricaturist

Capture the event with a caricaturist for one of the most unique Mardi Gras party ideas. A local artist will paint your guests as entertaining cartoon characters to memorialize your party. This fun party idea will bring a little bit of NOLA to your event, wherever you’re located!

17. Tarot Card Readings

If you’re throwing your Mardi Gras party in New Orleans, book a tarot reader for one of the highlights of your event. Host a carnival for one of the most exciting Mardi Gras theme names. Invite your guests to get a glimpse at their future with this exclusive activity.

Game Mardis Gras Party Ideas

18. Online Games

Challenge your guests to some online games for one of the best Mardi Gras party ideas. Whether you’re hosting a virtual event or a small party, online games are the perfect activity to get everyone involved.

Test your friends’ knowledge of Harry Potter with online trivia games, or try out a new challenge with virtual game nights. This Mardi Gras party idea will be one for the books!

19. Virtual Scavenger Hunts

Race against the clock with virtual scavenger hunts. An entertaining host will guide your guests through a live, digital environment where they’ll decipher clues and solve riddles to find the grand prize. This fun event is also one of the best winter activities to cozy up inside and beat the cold.

20. Virtual Escape Rooms

Make your great escape with virtual escape rooms. From sleuthing through a supervillain's lair to wandering a secret forest, this event will keep everyone at your party engaged.

An entertaining host will prompt your crew with questions and riddles in a live, virtual simulation for one of the best Mardi Gras party games for adults.

21. Treasure Hunt

What games are played at Mardi Gras? Invite your guests to hunt for gold coins or plastic babies around the party. As one of the best Mardi Gras party ideas for seniors or kids, this fun activity will keep everyone on their toes. 

22. Musical Chairs

Play a game of musical chairs for one of the most thrilling Mardi Gras party ideas. Start some classic jazz music to keep the Mardi Gras theme alive. No matter your guests' age, they’ll love this fun game.

23. Crown King and Queen

What do you wear to a Mardi Gras party? Encourage your guests to come dressed their best for one of the most competitive Mardi Gras party games for adults. Crown king and queen of the party for the most festive outfits at your exciting Mardi Gras party.

From booking a caricaturist to cooking up traditional NOLA food with friends, there are tons of fun Mardi Gras party ideas to entertain your guests. Whether you plan on throwing a big, festive bash or hosting a small event, these activities can help your friends celebrate Mardi Gras in style.

For even more fun party ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!