These Mardi Gras theme party activities and ideas are perfect for a teen Mardi Gras sleepover, kids Mardi Gras Party or if you need Fat Tuesday party fun! Easy party ideas and games for a New Orleans carnival theme whether you’re hosting a winter carnivale, wondering how to host a backyard Mardi Gras theme party, throwing a Mardi Gras birthday party for kids, or even hosting a New Orleans themed retirement party, baby shower, or bachelorette party — or even if you need Mardi Gras Zoom party ideas!
Best Mardi Gras Theme Party Activities
Throwing a Mardi Gras New Orleans themed party is one of the most fun party ideas for all ages!
What can you do for a Mardi Gras party?
- Use Mardi Gras masks as unique Mardi Gras party invitation ideas
- Include decorations with purple, gold (yellow), and green traditional colors of Mardi Gras to set the party mood
- Make Mardi Gras party food like Jambalaya, etouffee, red beans and rice, beignets
- Play fun Mardi Gras party games
- Make Hurricane drinks (use mocktails for kids) in fun New Orleans cups
- Create laissez les bons temps rouler signs (Let The Good Times Roll)
- Stock up on beads that can be used to hand out to guests, as part of the Fat Tuesday decorations, as part of games, and even in guest party favor bags
- Create an awesome Mardi Gras party music playlist
- Set up a mask table and let guests create or color their own Mardi Gras masks
- Play Mardi Gras Minute It To Win It games for kids (or even Mardi Gras drinking games for adults)
- Include Mardi Gras contest ideas like best costume, best decorated mask, best mini float craft, best Cajun Karaoke, etc., and give away fun Mardi Gras party prizes to the winners
- Name a Mardi Gras Queen and King
(See the full details on Mardi Gras theme party activities and what do you need for a Mardi Gras party below! They work for a wide range of children’s Mardi Gras parties, to work parties, to Mardi Gras home party ideas and more!)
DON’T MISS: Mardi Gras Party Music Playlist Ideas
Best Mardi Gras Theme Party Activities
How do you throw a Mardi Gras theme party?
Mardi Gras party ideas and tips:
- Search out Mardi Gras party traditions and include them in your gathering.
- Have extra Mardi Gras party masks. Some people will wear their own masks, but you want to have extras for other people.
- If you don’t want to make full dishes, just provide Mardi Gras party finger foods like Cajun deviled eggs, Muffuletta sandwiches, and shrimp cocktail.
- If you have kids at your party, creating a masking table for decorating masks for Mardi Gras party or a Mardi Gras craft table with theme crafts (like these to put their party photos in or scratch off masks). Place the table in a quiet area to give anyone who needs a break an area away from the party.
- Offer a dress up corner complete with things like Mardi Gras feather boas, light up glasses, hats, extra masks, and other things to help get people in the party mood.
Mardi Gras Party Decorations
Your Mardi Gras party theme decor should center around the traditional Fat Tuesday colors: purple, green, and yellow.
- Include fun Mardi Gras party paper goods
- Don’t forget Mardi Gras party photos props (we love these) or a backdrop banner that makes for good party photo opps
- Adding Mardi Gras party cutouts can also be fun party photo props or for TikToks
- Spread around Mardi Gras doubloons for fun and cheap decorations
- Use these fun street signs for a New Orleans vibe
- Mardi Gras string lights are great near dance areas
If you’re wondering where to buy Mardi Gras party decorations, you can find them in almost any big store or party store, especially starting after the New Year. (Some even sell Mardi Gras party in a box like this with all the decorations you need, so keep an eye out for those!)
Mardi Gras Party Favors
Want to put together Mardi Gras party bags for guests?
Start with fun Mardi Gras favor bags (or, if you’re making favor bags for adults or a more sophisticated Mardi Gras party, use these or mini favor boxes). Then, fill them with fun things that will remind your guests of an awesome party!
Fun Mardi Gras Party Favor Ideas:
These are good if you’re looking for contest or giveaway Mardi Gras party gift ideas or Mardi Gras themed party giveaways, too!
- Mardi Gras cups
- Mardi Gras beads
- Mini Mardi Gras crawfish toys
- Mardi Gras rubber ducks
- Mardi Gras bracelets
- Mardi Gras tattoos
- Pralines
Mardi Gras Party Food
Your DIY Mardi Gras party menu should reflect traditional flavors of New Orleans and Fat Tuesday traditions for Mardi Gras party food and drink.
Mardi Gras Party Ideas Food:
- Theme Mardi Gras party drinks (complete with Mardi Gras drink umbrellas)
- Mardi Gras party appetizers and finger foods
- Gumbo
- Crawfish boil
- Muffuletta
- Red beans and rice
- Shrimp and Grits
- Dirty rice
- Beignets or Fat Tuesday donuts (get the mix to make your own!)
- Po Boy sandwiches
- Mardi Gras desserts like King Cake (try a quick and easy King Cake Mardi Gras party cake recipe for your Mardi Gras party recipes)
- Bread pudding
- New Orleans coffee with chicory
What To Wear To Mardi Gras Party
First, check with the party host on Mardi Gras party attire / Mardi Gras party dress code. Is it a full-on Mardi Gras masquerade party, an upscale Mardi Gras cocktail party and you need a dress for Mardi Gras party, or is it a casual New Orleans style gathering crawfish boil?
Generally, you can get you can get loud, crazy, and flamboyant with Mardi Gras costumes and everyone will understand!
Mardi Gras theme party outfit ideas:
- Regular street clothes with a Mardi Gras mask
- Mardi Gras tutu costume
- Jester hat (or full jester costume)
- Mardi Gras leggings
- Crawfish hat
- Witch doctor hat
- Mardi Gras cape
- Mardi Gras headband hat
- Light up noodle headband
- Mardi Gras t-shirt
What games do they play at Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras Game Ideas:
- Mardi Gras bingo
- Mardi Gras Party Murder Mystery
- Selfie scavenger hunt Mardi Gras theme style
- New Orleans-apoly
- Scratch-off Mardi Gras dare cards
- Masquerade party games
- Saran Wrap ball Mardi Gras themed
What are your ideas on how to throw Mardi Gras party? We’d love to hear your New Orleans Mardi Gras party ideas, so leave them below!
