Every New Orleans native knows that Lundi Gras marks the start of Mardi Gras season. For the last 37 years, Riverwalk has done it best. Spending Lundi Gras here has become an iconic Riverwalk experience for NOLA locals and tourists alike. With performances from Grammy-nominated artists, a firework show, and local food vendors, it’s not hard to see why! The best part? The event at Riverwalk Outlets is free! If you love all things New Orleans, this is the party for you, made possible by WWL-TV your Krewe for Carnival coverage, New Orleans and Company, Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Fast Signs of St. Charles, Raising Canes and New Orleans Magazine. Join us at Riverwalk Outlets Monday, Feb. 20 starting at 12 p.m. to take advantage of the full day of free fun! The Lineup From afternoon ‘til night, Lundi Gras at Riverwalk has a lineup of performances and shows you shouldn’t miss! Check it out. 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. – Nominated in 2018 for Best Regional Roots Music Album from the Grammy Awards, Dwayne Dopsie + The Zydeco Hellraisers will perform their hit songs for Lundi Gras at the Riverwalk! Catch the free concert starting at 12:30 p.m. 2:15 – 3:45 p.m. – Known for their blend of New Orleans and Washington D.C. musical traditions, the Brass-A-Holics take traditional New Orleans jazz elements, like trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and add percussion, electric guitar and more. Experience their unique musical talent yourself at Lundi Gras at the Riverwalk! 4:15 – 5:45 p.m. – Flow Tribe was formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with a mission to inspire the next generation of musicians and take classic New Orleans music around the world. Experience the group in their element, performing at the Spanish Plaza starting at 4:15 p.m. 6:00 p.m. – Rex, the King of Carnival, will arrive on the riverfront to begin his official reign. Rex and King Zulu will meet and exchange greetings on Spanish Plaza as a gesture of unity, culminating with the commands that all affairs be suspended and the party begin! 6:20 p.m. – Cue the fireworks! Enjoy a glorious fireworks display over the Mississippi The NOLA Fun Isn’t Done Riverwalk Outlets won’t be alone in celebrating the start of Mardi Gras. Lundi Gras takes over downtown New Orleans, and there’s fun around every corner. For the kids, check out the Zulu Lundi Gras character appearances starting at 11 a.m. in Woldenberg Park. For more from the Krewe of Zulu, the Zulu Lundi Gras celebration parade will join forces with Riverwalk partygoers at 6 p.m. for double the fun! If you’ve bean hoping to catch iconic Lundi Gras parades, you’re in luck. Marching downtown at 2 p.m., the Red Beans Parade weaves through the streets of downtown in honor of the culinary traditions of the city. Paraders construct their outfits out of red beans and display clothing items and accessories built out of hundreds to thousands of legumes. The Red Beans Parade combines with the “Dead Beans” parade in the Tremé neighborhood later in the day. Of course, sunset on Lundi Gras doesn’t mean the end of the celebration—Mardi Gras starts the next day and is the culmination of the Carnival season’s extravaganza, featuring hundreds of festivities across the city for those looking for a good time. The Krewe of Zulu and Krewe of Rex Mardi Gras parades take place at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. respectively in downtown New Orleans. Both parades were founded over a hundred years ago and feature hundreds of riders. To get more information on other parades or view the parade routes, check out the Mardi Gras New Orleans website. No matter what your plans are for the Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras celebrations, Riverwalk Outlets is here to help you embrace the carnival season. Several of our retail partners sell merch to deck you out for Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras Masquerade, Royal Praline Company, NOLA & Co. and Crescent City NOLA Creations have everything you need to celebrate in style. Riverwalk Outlets are open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Come in today in preparation for Mardi Gras season!