Happy Fat Tuesday! See Celebrities Who've Gone All-Out at Mardi Gras in New Orleans (original) (raw)
Darren Criss, Harry Connick Jr. and Solange are just some of the stars who've tossed beads and had a blast over the years
Updated on February 13, 2024 03:29PM EST
Darren Criss. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty
New Orleans has once again come alive for the celebration of Mardi Gras!
Feb. 13, 2024, 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.
Harry Connick Jr.
Harry Connick Jr.
Erika Goldring/Getty Images
Weeks after his father's death, Harry Connick Jr. made his return to Mardi Gras, surrounded by revelers at the 2024 Krewe of Orpheus parade in his native New Orleans.
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 Harris and David Burtka served as celebrity monarchs.
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.
Darren Criss
Darren Criss. Erika Goldring/Getty
Darren Criss — who wed wife Mia Swier in New Orleans in 2019 — shined during his ride in the 2023 Krewe of Orpheus parade.
Adam DeVine
Adam DeVine. Erika Goldring/Getty
It was a DeVine day for Adam DeVine when he served as Bacchus LV during the 2023 Krewe of Bacchus parade.
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.
Harry Connick Jr.
Harry Connick Jr. Erika Goldring/Getty
Harry Connick Jr. had plenty of beads to throw at the 2022 Krewe of Orpheus parade.
Josh Duhamel
Josh Duhamel. MEGA
Josh Duhamel reigned over the festivities of the 2022 Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, dressing the part as Bacchus LIII.
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger. Erika Goldring/Getty
Nicole Scherzinger prepared to fling some beads into the crowds while celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 2022.
Anthony Mackie
Anthony Mackie. Erika Goldring/Getty
Anthony Mackie flashed a big smile while riding on a float in the 2022 Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans.
Jensen Ackles
Jensen Ackles. Erika Goldring/Getty
The 2019 Krewe of Bacchus Parade was out-of-this-world thanks to Supernatural star Jensen Ackles stepping up as the god of wine himself.
Harry Connick Jr.
Harry Connick Jr. Erika Goldring/Getty
The New Orleans native and 2019 celebrity monarch Harry 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.
Trace Adkins
Trace Adkins. Erika Goldring/Getty
Country singer Trade Adkins tossed 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.
Spike Lee
Spike Lee. Erika Goldring/Getty
The Academy Award-winning director Spike Lee was very enthusiastic as the Grand Marshal of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club's 2018 Parade.
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.
John C. Reilly
John C. Reilly. Erika Goldring/Getty
Step Brothers actor John C. Reilly gleefully took the throne as Bacchus in 2015, at the recommendation of his longtime pal and previous King Will Ferrell.
Lisa Vanderpump
Lisa Vanderpump. Erika Goldring/Getty
Lisa Vanderpump looked right at home beside her throne as the celebrity monarch during the 2015 Krewe of Orpheus Parade.
Mariska Hargitay
Mariska Hargitay. Skip Bolen/Getty
While there isn't much Law & Order during Mardi Gras, Mariska Hargitay didn't seem to mind the over-the-top celebrations while riding in the 2013 Krewe of Orpheus Parade.
Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum. SplashNews.com
Magic Mike actor Channing Tatum celebrated the opening of his Saints and Sinners restaurant on Bourbon Street in New Orleans during Mardi Gras in 2013.
Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell. Monica Mcklinski/WireImage
Will Ferrell tossed doubloons — treasured coins that parade-goers aim to collect — into the crowd during his reign as King of the 2012 Krewe of Bacchus Parade, which has been led by a celebrity every year since 1969.
Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa
Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa. Patrick Semansky/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Longtime BFFs Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa shared 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.
Britney Spears
Britney Spears. Frank Micelotta/Getty
We can only imagine the number of revelers who asked Britney Spears to hit them "...Baby One More Time" as she waved and threw beads from a balcony in the French Quarter in 2006.
Elijah Wood
Elijah Wood. Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic
Lord of the Beads! The Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood found some jewelry he was willing to part with as he tossed beads to the crowd as King of the Bacchus Parade in 2004.
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