It’s Labor Day week, the kids are back in school, college football has started, and the Saints open their regular season next week. So Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day notwithstanding, it’s time to start thinking about Mardi Gras 2025!

Carnival is on March 4th. But a lot happens throughout the year. What are the highlights of the off-season so far?

First of all, the new Carnival Committee of the New Orleans City Council, JP Morrell, recommended that the controversial Krewe of Nyx be stripped of its parade permit.

He also sent the City Council an ordinance (without serious opposition) that will forever change the perception of Mardi Gras parades. When this ordinance goes into effect, paradegoers will no longer be allowed to set up tents or canopies, cordon off their personal viewing area, or set up portable toilets on public property. Grills with open flames will also be prohibited.

In other news, the Rex Organization announced that the Carnival Queen’s Grandstand for the 2025 parade will be moved from the InterContinental Hotel to Pascal’s Manale Restaurant. The new location is at Napoleon Avenue and Dryades Street, 11 blocks from the parade starting point.

The change will allow the court to watch the entire parade and have more time for other Carnival activities. The toast will also be delivered earlier, from later in the afternoon to around 11 a.m.

The Krewe of Endymion announced that its post-parade extravaganza will return to the Superdome and that the full pre-COVID parade route has been restored.

The Krewe of Femme Fatale has welcomed 400 new members for its 2025 parade.

Some parades will be rescheduled. The Krewe of Alla will fill the Wednesday night slot vacated by the Krewe of Nyx. It will follow the Druids, which begin at Jefferson and Magazine. In recent years, the Alla parade has ended after midnight on the first Friday of parade season as the last parade of a three-parade festival. And in 2025, Alla will feature black royalty for the first time in its 93-year history.

For the past two years, the Cleopatra floats have had trouble negotiating the curve on Jefferson Avenue, so in 2025, the Cleopatra’s starting point will be moved to Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas.

The coronation of kings is already underway. Krewes that crowned kings at their coronation balls this summer include Poseidon, Titans and Argus.

Clubs celebrating special anniversaries in 2025 include Elks Orleanians (90), Choctaw (90), Pontchartrain (50), Pygmalion (25), Muses (25), Morpheus (25) and Poseidon (10).

Jefferson Parish’s program is evolving. The Krewe of Caerus, which has tried to put on a parade for the past three years, will not be participating, nor will the Culinary Queens of New Orleans.

According to float builder and Captain Mac Cantrell, the Krewe of Kings is returning for the first time since 2020 and will follow the Centurions on Lundi Gras. He also announced that he will provide 12 floats for the Krewe of Little Rascals parade, which will return after a one-year hiatus.

Atlas returns to its first weekend time slot on Sunday during Family Grass.

Two foot parades and a pet parade are planned on the North Shore: Mona Lisa and MoonPie on February 22, Krewe of KIDZ on Mardi Gras, and Krewe de Paws on February 22. The Krewe of Tchefuncte boat parade has a new start time of February 22, 2025 at noon.

Here are the latest news from the carnival clubs, sent to us by the carnival officials and published in their own words…

MARS

“In 2025, the Legion of Mars, which rides in honor of our nation’s military veterans and first responders, will have another new tribute float titled ‘The Mars Healthcare Heroes.’ The float will consist of local doctors and nurses. The float will also feature active and retired military medical professionals riding alongside New Orleans’ patriotic civilian healthcare leaders.

MEDIUM-SIZED CITY

“We are bringing back the band competition that was a staple of the Mid-City Parade. It will be named after our founder and original captain: The Charlie Bourgeois Memorial Band Contest. We are introducing a second part of our tribute float for City Park. It will be a carousel.

“We are also introducing a new Band of Merry Men float. It is our Royal Band float. Under our new captain, we will also have the largest membership ever.”

TITANS

“The Krewe of Titans in Slidell is proud to announce the details of our 2025 Carnival season. The 14th annual procession following the City of Slidell’s traditional route will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2025. This year the procession will take place on Valentine’s Day, and the Krewe of Titans is proud to announce our theme this year: ‘Titans Presents ‘Be My Valentine.'” The Krewe of Titans, which includes over 500 riders on over 20 floats, will be throwing many new and exciting items for our parade goers. Look for the new Titans Valentine’s Day light-up plush bear, new Titans heart sunglasses, Titans fleur-de-lis wands, new LED parade light-up medallion beads, flip-flops, soccer balls, 3D mugs and Titans wrap coozies. And stay tuned for a special announcement soon on a coveted litter coming this year. The parade will feature a cast supporting local as well as regional bands and dance groups to kick off the carnival season in Slidell. The Krewe of Titans elected their Royal Majesties on July 13th at the Slidell City Auditorium at the Krewe of Titans Coronation Party. Chris Sturcken was elected King Titan XIV and Toni Gebbia was elected Queen Titan XIV. The Krewe of Titans Royal Ball will be held on January 25th at the Northshore Harbor Center featuring the band ‘Paperchase.'”

DIONYSUS

“We will be holding a parade in Slidell on February 23rd on our traditional Sunday with the theme ‘Back to the Beach.’

“On July 20th, we held our annual Coronation Ball to celebrate our 40th anniversary and elected our King and Queen: Dionysus XL Gary Frisard and Queen Valarie Pitre. We continue our year-round philanthropic efforts through ‘Sweat Equity’, supporting local charities including Hospice House, STARC, CAC Hope House, Riley’s Bikes, Children’s Wish Foundation, Kid’s in Development, St. Tammany Hugs For Kids Fashion Show and the SMH Foundation Cancer Center, to name a few.”

EVE

“‘Eve Makes A Splash’ is featuring beach-themed throws this year such as Eve beach towels, beach towel clips, sand cup holders and beach bags. For those who collect our plush pearl dogs, we have one more that we’re sure to keep. And we also have a pearl dog necklace throw this year. In keeping with our theme, our floats will represent popular beach destinations such as Pensacola Beach and Venus Beach. A highlight of our parade will be a very special float representing the beaches of Iwo Jima, with special signage that reads ‘Your Day at the Beach, presented by Our Day at the Beach.'” This float will feature active duty service members and female veterans. We are so excited to honor our brave women who have chosen to serve our country by riding on a special float!”

PHOENIX

“The Mystic Order of the Phoenix is ​​celebrating its fifth anniversary! The Ladies of the Phoenix have been busy preparing for our anniversary parade with the Spartan Society on February 22nd. This year we have worked hard to offer even more sustainable, usable and wearable covers. Parade goers can look forward to special travel items such as luggage, travel perfume bottles, purse straps, hats, socks, coloring books for the kids, party blankets and much more!

“The ladies of Phoenix recently held a very successful back-to-school drive for the new Leah Chase School and delivered the supplies to the school on August 29th. Phoenix will also be helping Leah Chase School set up a food bank at the school for families in need. Phoenix is ​​very excited to support the new Leah Chase School in their efforts to make an impact in the community.”

“Phoenix has also raised nearly $12,000 in scholarships for deserving high school seniors attending college in 2025, and more scholarships will be raised at the upcoming Sparta Soiree on September 14.

“Next, the ladies of Phoenix will gather for Platterpalooza to share ideas and learn the latest techniques for making our fabulous signature throws – plates or chargers. Paradegoers should keep an eye out for these coveted throws along the route.

“Also coming up in November is our Phoenix Ascension Luncheon, when Phoenix V will ascend and begin her reign. The public is invited to the Phoenix Fete-A Mystical Masquerade on Saturday, January 4th at the Cannery.”

IRIS

“We will be introducing two new, beautiful floats for our Queen and younger members of our royal court in 2025. The Krewe of Iris’ first-ever debutantes will be introduced this season. Our membership is 3,650 this year, and we continue to be the largest krewe to parade at Mardi Gras.”

PYGMALION

“Pygmalion is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with many exciting events. We will kick off our anniversary on September 14th with an anniversary party. We will also be introducing a brand new float with state-of-the-art lighting for our captain.”

BOGUE FALAYA

“The Krewe of Bogue Falaya parade will be held on Mardi Gras Day in March in historic downtown Covington with the theme ‘Movies in Paradise.’ The Grand Marshal will be announced in October and the Krewe’s first signature throw will also be unveiled at the same time. On March 3, the Grand Marshal will make a grand entrance on the Bogue Falaya River in Covington. This is a public event. Guests will then be escorted by a jazz band and second line to the Southern Hotel for a toast with champagne, king cake and invited elected officials.”