Parade etiquette

The city's route rules

From the City of New Orleans's "along the route" rules and City Council notices (checked 26 October 2026):

• Ladders must be at least six feet back from the curb, no taller than six feet, free-standing and not fastened to each other. Ladders left overnight are thrown away.
• The four-hour rule: nothing (chairs, ladders, coolers) may be placed on the public right-of-way along the route, including the neutral ground, more than four hours before a parade.
• No enclosures: ropes, makeshift barriers, tents and canopies may not be used to fence off public space.
• No generators or open flames on the route, which includes gas grills; no upholstered furniture.
• No confetti, confetti guns or Mylar balloons.
• No pets on parade routes, except service animals.

In July 2026 the City Council adopted new Carnival rules for the 2027 season (Ordinance 35,491): float riders must wear harnesses; smoking, glass and serving alcohol are banned on floats; and fines rise, with some violations, such as prohibited ladders and tents, becoming misdemeanours (council summary). Read the city's page for the final details before the season.

Catching throws

• Hands up, eyes up. Riders throw to people who look at them and wave. Shouting "Throw me something, mister!" is traditional.
• Never step on a throw to claim it if someone else has a hand on it; let it go. There will be plenty more.
• Signature throws are handed, not hurled. Zulu coconuts, Muses shoes and Iris sunglasses are passed down from the float. Don't grab, and don't push children aside for them.
• Never cross between floats or between a float and its tractor, and never run into the street for something on the ground while the parade is moving. Floats cannot stop quickly.
• Leave room for kids. Ladder seats are for children; the front of the crowd is a courtesy, not a right.

Flambeaux, bands and dancers

Night parades are often led by flambeaux carriers, who carry flaming torches between the floats, a tradition from before electric light. It is customary to tip them, and the marching bands' dancers are working hard: cheer them on, and keep your hands to yourself.

Afterwards

Take your rubbish with you and leave the ladders folded off the route. City crews clean the routes within hours, but the trash left behind is enormous every year.