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 are multiple ways to participate for the 2026 parade, which rolled on Tuesday, Feb. 10th at 12:30 p.m. inviting our campus community to step Under the Big Top for a parade full of color, energy, and spectacle.
Like any great circus, UNO shines because of the performers behind the scenes and in the spotlight—from inspiring faculty and dedicated staff to resilient, creative students. Each of us plays a vital role in keeping the show going and the Privateer spirit strong.
The fun won't stop with the parade - we will celebrate in the Alumni Center with King Cake and good times after the parade!
Watch Highlights from the 2024 Parade
Participants may register a parade float or a walking group to join parade route. 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 2026 Parade
On-campus students, faculty, and staff
There's no bad place to watch the parade! Line up anywhere between the Human Performance Center (HPC) and Alumni Center on Milneburg Road.
Community members
Please note that if you're coming from campus to watch the parade, the Human Performance Center and portions of the Kirschman Hall parking lots will be be closed for staging.
Parents & family members of K-12 students
We are excited to welcome students from 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!
The Krewe of UNO Parade is a labor of love made possible by the generous support of our UNO community.
Become a Parade Sponsor
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.
Please make checks payable to:
UNO Foundation
Attention: Gift Processing
20212 Lakeshore drive, Suite 420
New Orleans, LA 70122-3540
*Please be sure to include 90680 – Campus Activities in the memo line of the check.
For questions pertaining to sponsorships, please contact LeeAnne Sipe at the University of New Orleans: 504-280-7449 | Email: lsipe@uno.edu.
