The final week of the Carnival season opens with the Ancient Druids, a highly secretive all-male krewe that presents a parade with old-line elegance, and the Krewe of Nyx, an exuberant all-female krewe that has grown exponentially to become the newest superkrewe. The two krewes are known for taking jabs at each other with their floats.
The parades follow the same route, starting on Jefferson and Magazine and turning on Napoleon before rolling on St. Charles Avenue into the CBD. See the route map below.
The National Weather Service gives Wednesday evening a 30 percent chance of showers, with a low around 64 degrees. For updates on the parades, see the city’s parade tracker. For need-to-know parade day information, see here. For parking and transportation information, see here.
The Druids roll on Magazine Street in 2018. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Ancient Druids
Named for the high-ranking religious leaders of Celtic society, the Ancient Druids parading krewe was formed in 1998 by a group of Carnival veterans. Its members all belong to other krewes (though that statement that can’t be confirmed, for their identities are never revealed). The parade-only krewe, with no bal masque, is led by the Arch Druid, who is always accompanied by his jester. Watch for floats from the former Mystic Krewe of Druids, which paraded in the 1920s and ’30s. Throws include a lighted wizard’s hat.
Start: 6:15 p.m. at Jefferson Avenue and Magazine Street
The parade turns right on Magazine, then left on Napoleon until St. Charles Avenue, where it takes the traditional route into the CBD.
End: Tchoupitoulas and Poydras streets
The Mystic Krewe of Nyx “Cupid Shuffle” float rolls on Magazine Street in 2017. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Mystic Krewe of Nyx
Nyx is named for the Greek goddess of the night. First parading in 2012 with 534 riders, the Mystic Krewe of Nyx has become the biggest Mardi Gras parade in history, with 3,348 riders in its 2018 parade. The Nyx sisterhood extends not only to locals but to members in 44 states and three countries. The krewe colors are hot pink and black, and its signature throw is a glittered purse. Musician Amanda Shaw is this year’s grand marshal.
Start: 7 p.m. at Jefferson Avenue and Magazine Street
The parade turns right on Magazine, then left on Napoleon until St. Charles Avenue, where it takes the traditional route into the CBD.
End: Tchoupitoulas and Poydras streets
Route for Druids and Nyx
(via ready.nola.gov)
