Throw Me Something, Centenary: Shreveport Gears Up for the 2026 Mardi Gras Season
If you have been outside lately, you may have noticed that it feels just a little different. It’s not just the weird January weather or the upcoming tests we have this week. The purple, green, and gold are out in full force in Shreveport, and it’s officially time for the 2026 season of Mardi Gras! For us at Centenary, this may be the best time of the year to put grade-point averages out of our minds for a minute and throw ourselves headfirst into good ol’ Louisiana chaos.
The schedule will be full this year, considering that Fat Tuesday is pretty early, falling on February 17. Therefore, the parades will be sooner than we think. The Krewe of Centaur parade will happen on Saturday, February 7, around 3:30 PM. This krewe is actually the biggest one in all of North Louisiana. Thousands of individuals show up to the parade, and to top it off, there will be enormous floats. These floats have thousands of lights and plenty of beads to toss. A pro tip: if you want to be in a good spot for the parade, it is recommended to arrive in the downtown area or Shreveport-Barksdale strip a couple hours in advance.
Right after, the Krewe of Gemini takes over on Saturday, February 14. Yes, that is Valentine’s Day, so if you do not have a date, just go catch some beads instead. It is way less stressful. Gemini is the oldest parading krewe in the city, and their floats are legendary. Between Centaur and Gemini, Shreveport basically turns into one giant block party for two weeks straight.
However, the true highlight for any student living at Centenary is the Krewe of Highland parade to be held Sunday, the 15th of February. Don't get me wrong, the Centaur parade and the Gemini parade are awesome, but the Highland parade is weird in the best way possible. They're known for their "non-traditional" floats, which essentially means that they aren’t just throwing beads anymore! They're throwing hot dogs, ramen noodles, moon pies, and all kinds of other stuff. The scene is super relaxed, super neighborhood-friendly, and quite honestly, super Shreveport!
If you are new to the area or a freshman who has never seen a real Louisiana Mardi Gras, you need to prepare. Evidence from past years shows that the weather in February is a total coin flip. It could be 70 degrees, or it could be freezing. Wear layers, bring a big bag to hold all your stuff, and remember to have fun! This season is a break from the grind and a chance to see why people love the Mardi Gras season. Laissez les bons temps rouler, and let’s make this 2026 season one to remember.