Happy Fat Tuesday! See Celebrities Going All-Out for Mardi Gras

Mar. 15, 2025

Shaquille O’Neal as the Krewe of Bacchus' 2025 Celebrity Monarch.Photo:Erika Goldring/Getty

Erika Goldring/Getty

New Orleans has once again come alive for the celebration ofMardi Gras!March 4, 2025, marks Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday which kicks off the season of Lent, leading up to Easter. And in Louisiana, the period is marked with celebrations and parades that bring locals, revelers and celebrities to the streets.The Christian feasting period-turned-cultural phenomenon dates back thousands of years, and the joyful extravaganza is enjoyed around the globe, though New Orleans takes the (king) cake for the most colorful and elaborate celebrations,Here, look back at some of the best celebrity parade moments from Mardi Gras in New Orleans though the years.

New Orleans has once again come alive for the celebration ofMardi Gras!

March 4, 2025, marks Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday which kicks off the season of Lent, leading up to Easter. And in Louisiana, the period is marked with celebrations and parades that bring locals, revelers and celebrities to the streets.

The Christian feasting period-turned-cultural phenomenon dates back thousands of years, and the joyful extravaganza is enjoyed around the globe, though New Orleans takes the (king) cake for the most colorful and elaborate celebrations,

Here, look back at some of the best celebrity parade moments from Mardi Gras in New Orleans though the years.

01of 27Nicole RichieNicole Richie at Mardi Gras 2025.Nicole Richie/InstagramNicole Richietook a trip to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras 2025 with friends.“I lost my glasses, but found some beads, crawfish, and a few new bruises on my body.#MardiGras🎭🦞🥁,“she wrote on Instagramalongside a carousel of photos and videos.

01of 27

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie at Mardi Gras 2025.Nicole Richie/Instagram

Nicole Richie/Instagram

Nicole Richietook a trip to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras 2025 with friends.

“I lost my glasses, but found some beads, crawfish, and a few new bruises on my body.#MardiGras🎭🦞🥁,“she wrote on Instagramalongside a carousel of photos and videos.

02of 27Katy PerryTheImageDirect.comDraped in a dress made of colorful beads,Katy Perryhit the stage for the Endymion Mardi Gras Extravaganza where it was also announced that March 1 will now be known asKaty Perry Day in New Orleans.

02of 27

Katy Perry

TheImageDirect.com

Draped in a dress made of colorful beads,Katy Perryhit the stage for the Endymion Mardi Gras Extravaganza where it was also announced that March 1 will now be known asKaty Perry Day in New Orleans.

03of 27Shaquille O’NealShaquille O’Neal.Erika Goldring/GettyOn March 2, 2025 basketball legendShaquille O’Nealwas suited up — crown and all — as the Krewe of Bacchus' Celebrity Monarch.

03of 27

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal.Erika Goldring/Getty

On March 2, 2025 basketball legendShaquille O’Nealwas suited up — crown and all — as the Krewe of Bacchus' Celebrity Monarch.

04of 27

Livvy Dunne

Livvy Dunne at Mardi Gras 2025.Skip Bolen/WireImage

Skip Bolen/WireImage

05of 27

Harry Connick Jr.

Harry Connick Jr.Erika Goldring/Getty Images

Erika Goldring/Getty Images

06of 27Neil Patrick Harris and David BurtkaNeil Patrick Harris and David Burtka.Erika Goldring/Getty ImagesAlso at the 2024 Krewe of Orpheus parade,Neil Patrick HarrisandDavid Burtkaserved as celebrity monarchs.

06of 27

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka.Erika Goldring/Getty Images

Also at the 2024 Krewe of Orpheus parade,Neil Patrick HarrisandDavid Burtkaserved as celebrity monarchs.

07of 27Kevin DillonKevin Dillon.Erika Goldring/Getty ImagesBlue is his color! King Kevin Dillon tossed gold beads during the 2024 Krewe of Bacchus parade.

07of 27

Kevin Dillon

Kevin Dillon.Erika Goldring/Getty Images

Blue is his color! King Kevin Dillon tossed gold beads during the 2024 Krewe of Bacchus parade.

08of 27Darren CrissDarren Criss.Erika Goldring/GettyDarren Criss—who wed wife Mia Swierin New Orleans in 2019 — shined during his ride in the 2023 Krewe of Orpheus parade.

08of 27

Darren Criss

Darren Criss.Erika Goldring/Getty

Darren Criss—who wed wife Mia Swierin New Orleans in 2019 — shined during his ride in the 2023 Krewe of Orpheus parade.

09of 27Adam DeVineAdam DeVine.Erika Goldring/GettyIt was aDeVineday forAdam DeVinewhen he served as Bacchus LV during the 2023 Krewe of Bacchus parade.

09of 27

Adam DeVine

Adam DeVine.Erika Goldring/Getty

It was aDeVineday forAdam DeVinewhen he served as Bacchus LV during the 2023 Krewe of Bacchus parade.

10of 27Anthony MackieAnthony Mackie.Erika Goldring/GettyMardi Gras beads in hand, Anthony Mackie rode along on a float at New Orleans' Krewe of Bacchus parade on Feb. 19, 2023.

10of 27

Anthony Mackie

Anthony Mackie.Erika Goldring/Getty

Mardi Gras beads in hand, Anthony Mackie rode along on a float at New Orleans' Krewe of Bacchus parade on Feb. 19, 2023.

11of 27Harry Connick Jr.Harry Connick Jr.Erika Goldring/GettyHarry Connick Jr.had plenty of beads to throw at the 2022 Krewe of Orpheus parade.

11of 27

Harry Connick Jr.Erika Goldring/Getty

Harry Connick Jr.had plenty of beads to throw at the 2022 Krewe of Orpheus parade.

12of 27Josh DuhamelJosh Duhamel.MEGAJosh Duhamelreigned over the festivities of the 2022 Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, dressing the part as Bacchus LIII.

12of 27

Josh Duhamel

Josh Duhamel.MEGA

Josh Duhamelreigned over the festivities of the 2022 Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, dressing the part as Bacchus LIII.

13of 27Nicole ScherzingerNicole Scherzinger.Erika Goldring/GettyNicole Scherzingerprepared to fling some beads into the crowds while celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 2022.

13of 27

Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger.Erika Goldring/Getty

Nicole Scherzingerprepared to fling some beads into the crowds while celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 2022.

14of 27Anthony MackieAnthony Mackie.Erika Goldring/GettyAnthony Mackie flashed a big smile while riding on a float in the 2022 Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans.

14of 27

Anthony Mackie flashed a big smile while riding on a float in the 2022 Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans.

15of 27Jensen AcklesJensen Ackles.Erika Goldring/GettyThe 2019 Krewe of Bacchus Parade was out-of-this-world thanks toSupernaturalstarJensen Acklesstepping up as the god of wine himself.

15of 27

Jensen Ackles

Jensen Ackles.Erika Goldring/Getty

The 2019 Krewe of Bacchus Parade was out-of-this-world thanks toSupernaturalstarJensen Acklesstepping up as the god of wine himself.

16of 27Harry Connick Jr.Harry Connick Jr.Erika Goldring/GettyThe New Orleans native and 2019 celebrity monarchHarry Connick Jr.gave rowdy crowds “A Wink and a Smile” as he prepared to toss beads from his float during the Krewe of Orpheus Parade.

16of 27

The New Orleans native and 2019 celebrity monarchHarry Connick Jr.gave rowdy crowds “A Wink and a Smile” as he prepared to toss beads from his float during the Krewe of Orpheus Parade.

17of 27Trace AdkinsTrace Adkins.Erika Goldring/GettyCountry singerTrade Adkinstossed beads to revelers showing off their “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” during his reign as Celebrity King in the 2019 Krewe of Orpheus Parade on Fat Tuesday in New Orleans.

17of 27

Trace Adkins

Trace Adkins.Erika Goldring/Getty

Country singerTrade Adkinstossed beads to revelers showing off their “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” during his reign as Celebrity King in the 2019 Krewe of Orpheus Parade on Fat Tuesday in New Orleans.

18of 27Spike LeeSpike Lee.Erika Goldring/GettyThe Academy Award-winning directorSpike Leewas very enthusiastic as the Grand Marshal of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club’s 2018 Parade.

18of 27

Spike Lee

Spike Lee.Erika Goldring/Getty

The Academy Award-winning directorSpike Leewas very enthusiastic as the Grand Marshal of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club’s 2018 Parade.

19of 27Solange KnowlesSolange Knowles.SplashNews.comSolange Knowles— who got married in New Orleans — peeked out from behind her mask as she and husband Alan Ferguson caught beads and took in the Mystic Krewe of Barkus dog parade in 2016.

19of 27

Solange Knowles

Solange Knowles.SplashNews.com

Solange Knowles— who got married in New Orleans — peeked out from behind her mask as she and husband Alan Ferguson caught beads and took in the Mystic Krewe of Barkus dog parade in 2016.

20of 27John C. ReillyJohn C. Reilly.Erika Goldring/GettyStep BrothersactorJohn C. Reillygleefully took the throne as Bacchus in 2015, at the recommendation of his longtime pal and previous King Will Ferrell.

20of 27

John C. Reilly

John C. Reilly.Erika Goldring/Getty

Step BrothersactorJohn C. Reillygleefully took the throne as Bacchus in 2015, at the recommendation of his longtime pal and previous King Will Ferrell.

21of 27Lisa VanderpumpLisa Vanderpump.Erika Goldring/GettyLisa Vanderpumplooked right at home beside her throne as the celebrity monarch during the 2015 Krewe of Orpheus Parade.

21of 27

Lisa Vanderpump

Lisa Vanderpump.Erika Goldring/Getty

Lisa Vanderpumplooked right at home beside her throne as the celebrity monarch during the 2015 Krewe of Orpheus Parade.

22of 27Mariska HargitayMariska Hargitay.Skip Bolen/GettyWhile there isn’t muchLaw & Orderduring Mardi Gras,Mariska Hargitaydidn’t seem to mind the over-the-top celebrations while riding in the 2013 Krewe of Orpheus Parade.

22of 27

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay.Skip Bolen/Getty

While there isn’t muchLaw & Orderduring Mardi Gras,Mariska Hargitaydidn’t seem to mind the over-the-top celebrations while riding in the 2013 Krewe of Orpheus Parade.

23of 27Channing TatumChanning Tatum.SplashNews.comMagic MikeactorChanning Tatumcelebrated the opening of his Saints and Sinners restaurant on Bourbon Street in New Orleans during Mardi Gras in 2013.

23of 27

Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum.SplashNews.com

Magic MikeactorChanning Tatumcelebrated the opening of his Saints and Sinners restaurant on Bourbon Street in New Orleans during Mardi Gras in 2013.

24of 27

Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell.Monica Mcklinski/WireImage

25of 27Anderson Cooper and Kelly RipaAnderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa.Patrick Semansky/AP/REX/ShutterstockLongtime BFFsAnderson CooperandKelly Ripashared the honor of being Co-Grand Marshals of the Krewe of Endymion Parade in 2011, where they couldn’t help but smile as they threw beads into the crowd.

25of 27

Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa

Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa.Patrick Semansky/AP/REX/Shutterstock

Longtime BFFsAnderson CooperandKelly Ripashared the honor of being Co-Grand Marshals of the Krewe of Endymion Parade in 2011, where they couldn’t help but smile as they threw beads into the crowd.

26of 27

Britney Spears

Britney Spears.Frank Micelotta/Getty

27of 27Elijah WoodElijah Wood.Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagicLord of the Beads! TheLord of the RingsstarElijah Woodfound some jewelry he was willing to part with as he tossed beads to the crowd as King of the Bacchus Parade in 2004.

27of 27

Elijah Wood

Elijah Wood.Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic

Lord of the Beads! TheLord of the RingsstarElijah Woodfound some jewelry he was willing to part with as he tossed beads to the crowd as King of the Bacchus Parade in 2004.

source: people.com