34 Mardi Gras Songs, from Iko Iko to Brass Band Classics

What is the most famous Mardi Gras song?

"Go to the Mardi Gras" by Professor Longhair and "Carnival Time" by Al Johnson are the songs New Orleans plays every Carnival season, and "Iko Iko" by The Dixie Cups is the one the rest of the world knows. "When the Saints Go Marching In" is the brass band classic for any parade.

Classic Mardi Gras anthems

1. "Iko Iko", The Dixie Cups: the Carnival chant everyone knows.
2. "Go to the Mardi Gras", Professor Longhair: the whistling Carnival classic.
3. "Mardi Gras Mambo", The Hawketts: featuring a young Art Neville.
4. "Big Chief", Professor Longhair: a piano and whistle showcase.
5. "Carnival Time", Al Johnson: played on every parade route.
6. "Hey Pocky A-Way", The Meters: a funky Carnival song.
7. "When the Saints Go Marching In", Louis Armstrong: the brass band standard.
8. "Indian Red": the traditional song of the Mardi Gras Indians.
9. "Fire on the Bayou", The Meters: hot and swampy funk.

New Orleans R&B classics

10. "Tipitina", Professor Longhair: the song a famous club is named after.
11. "Walking to New Orleans", Fats Domino: a homesick classic.
12. "Blueberry Hill", Fats Domino: the rolling piano favorite.
13. "Ain't That a Shame", Fats Domino: a 50s rock and roll hit.
14. "Right Place, Wrong Time", Dr. John: funky and swampy.
15. "Such a Night", Dr. John: a smooth New Orleans groove.
16. "Mother-in-Law", Ernie K-Doe: a funny R&B hit.
17. "Ooh Poo Pah Doo", Jessie Hill: a call-and-response party song.
18. "Ya Ya", Lee Dorsey: an easygoing singalong.
19. "Working in the Coal Mine", Lee Dorsey: a funky Allen Toussaint production.

Brass band and funk songs

20. "Cissy Strut", The Meters: the funk instrumental.
21. "Bourbon Street Parade", Paul Barbarin: a parade standard.
22. "Feel Like Funkin' It Up", Rebirth Brass Band: a modern brass band anthem.
23. "Do Whatcha Wanna", Rebirth Brass Band: the second-line favorite.
24. "They All Asked for You", The Meters: a playful song about the city.
25. "Brother John", The Wild Tchoupitoulas: a Mardi Gras Indian classic.

New Orleans jazz standards

26. "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?", Louis Armstrong: a love letter to the city.
27. "Basin Street Blues", Louis Armstrong: a jazz classic.
28. "What a Wonderful World", Louis Armstrong: the closing song of many parties.
29. "Down in New Orleans", Dr. John: from The Princess and the Frog.
30. "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)", Hank Williams: the Cajun-flavored country classic.

Cajun and zydeco songs

31. "Jolie Blonde": often called the Cajun national anthem.
32. "Allons à Lafayette": one of the first Cajun records.
33. "Paper in My Shoe", Boozoo Chavis: a zydeco classic.
34. "Hot Tamale Baby", Clifton Chenier: from the king of zydeco.

When is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the day before Ash Wednesday, 47 days before Easter. In 2027 it falls on Tuesday, February 9. The Carnival season starts on January 6 and builds through weeks of parades to Fat Tuesday itself.

How to throw a Mardi Gras party

• Music: start with brass band and funk, add the R&B classics, then the anthems at peak time.
• Colors: purple, green and gold everywhere.
• Food: king cake, jambalaya, gumbo and beignets.
• Beads and masks: hand them out at the door.
• A second line: wave handkerchiefs and parade around the room to "Do Whatcha Wanna".

Mardi Gras songs for kids

For a school or family celebration, "When the Saints Go Marching In", "Iko Iko", "Down in New Orleans" and "Jambalaya" are easy to sing and dance to. Let kids make masks and parade with homemade instruments.

Mardi Gras songs for a wedding

New Orleans couples often end the reception with a second line: the band leads guests out of the venue with handkerchiefs waving. "Do Whatcha Wanna", "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Bourbon Street Parade" are the favorites. See our wedding exit songs for more send-off ideas.

Songs about New Orleans

Beyond Carnival, "Walking to New Orleans", "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?", "Basin Street Blues" and "Down in New Orleans" capture the city itself. They make a good soundtrack for a trip, a going-away party for someone moving to the city or a New Orleans wedding.

King cake party music

For a smaller gathering, keep it relaxed with Fats Domino, Dr. John and Louis Armstrong while the king cake is cut, then turn up The Meters once someone finds the baby hidden inside and has to host the next party.

What makes Mardi Gras music special

New Orleans music mixes brass band traditions, African and Caribbean rhythms, rhythm and blues, funk and jazz. The second-line beat, a syncopated rhythm made for dancing in the street, runs through almost every song on this list.

A New Orleans-style song about your crew

For a Mardi Gras birthday, a New Orleans wedding or a friend who loves the city, a personalized song can bring the party: their name, the places you went and the stories you tell, with a joyful brass-band energy.

How to create a party song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: jazz, R&B, rock, pop and more.
2. Add the names of the people in the song.
3. Share three stories or inside jokes.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Let the good times roll with your own song: create a song and hear four previews for free.