Mardi Gras Beads & Parades

Mardi Gras in Houma and Bayou Country

By Mardi Gras Beads Factory ·

A Mardi Gras parade float rolling down a New Orleans street
Photo: Library of Congress / Unsplash

When people think of Mardi Gras, they think of New Orleans. But Carnival is celebrated all over south Louisiana, and well beyond. About an hour southwest of New Orleans, the city of Houma and the rest of Terrebonne Parish hold a full season of parades of their own.

Are there Mardi Gras parades outside New Orleans?

Yes, lots of them. Cities and small towns across south Louisiana have their own krewes (Carnival clubs) and parades. The Louisiana State Museum describes a range that runs from huge “superkrewe” shows in New Orleans to small, homemade parades in neighborhoods and country towns.

Mardi Gras is not only a Louisiana thing, either. Mobile, Alabama, had parading Carnival societies before New Orleans did. And in some rural Cajun communities, people keep a very different tradition, the Courir de Mardi Gras. Costumed riders go around the countryside, begging for ingredients for a shared gumbo.

Houma sits in between. Its parades look a lot like New Orleans parades, with floats, bands and throws. But the feel is its own.

How did Mardi Gras start in Houma?

The oldest Carnival club in Terrebonne Parish is the Krewe of Houmas. According to the local paper, the Houma Times, a group of local business people founded it in 1946. They wanted to bring a New Orleans-style Fat Tuesday parade to their town. The krewe’s first parade rolled in 1947, on Mardi Gras Day itself.

A few details from those early years:

  • The name. New Orleans krewes often took names from Greek and Roman myths. The Krewe of Houmas chose instead to honor the Houma people, the Native American tribe the city is named for.
  • Floats came by boat. For years, the krewe rented floats, and even riders’ costumes, from clubs in New Orleans. The floats traveled to Houma on barges down the Intracoastal Waterway. Later, the krewe built its own floats.

The Krewe of Houmas still parades on Fat Tuesday. In 2022, the year Terrebonne Parish turned 200, the krewe became the first in the parish to roll its whole parade through the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

How big is Houma’s Mardi Gras?

Bigger than many visitors expect. The local tourism office, Explore Houma, calls it the second-largest Mardi Gras celebration in Louisiana. That ranking comes from local promotion, not an official count, so take it as a local claim. Either way, it is a busy season.

Explore Houma lists more than a dozen parades over about two weeks. Most roll in Houma itself, on both the west and east sides of town. A few roll in smaller communities down the bayou, such as Chauvin and Montegut.

Parades and times change each year, so we don’t list them here. For this season’s dates, check the Mardi Gras parade schedule. It includes Houma and Terrebonne Parish parades.

How does it feel different from New Orleans?

The biggest difference is space. New Orleans parades draw huge crowds, and good spots can be packed hours before a parade starts. Explore Houma says Houma’s routes are long and less crowded, which gives you more room and more chances to catch throws.

Other differences people notice:

  • It feels like a hometown event. Families and neighbors set up together along the route, with food and music.
  • Parking can be easier. Explore Houma notes free parking near the route.
  • Local touches. Along with classic beads and cups, some riders throw bayou-themed items you won’t find elsewhere.

None of this means “small.” The floats, marching bands and dance groups are a real show. It just tends to be a more relaxed one.

Is Houma Mardi Gras good for families?

Yes. Explore Houma describes the season as family-friendly, and it is a common choice for parents with young kids. A few tips:

  • Bring chairs and a step ladder. Many families set up a ladder with a seat on top for kids. Keep it well back from the curb, and keep an adult with it.
  • Watch the kids near the street. Explore Houma warns that kids often chase throws into the road. Never let anyone cross between floats.
  • Try a daytime parade if your kids are small. Daytime parades are easier for little ones than late nights.
  • Dress for the weather. Parade season is in winter, and the evenings can turn cold and damp.
  • Follow local rules. Local police and parade staff run the route. Do what they ask.

Where can I get beads in Houma?

If you live in the area or are visiting, you can order Mardi Gras beads and throws online and pick them up at the Houma store or the Bridge City store.

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