Yardi Gras Brings Mardi Gras Celebrations Home

In a time like no other, New Orleanians found themselves unable to celebrate Mardi Gras in a traditional fashion. True to form, residents got creative and Yardi Gras was born.

February 16, 2021

By: Kamron Sanders

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Photo By: Laura Steffan

The Birth of Yardi Gras

With the cancellation of many facets of Mardi Gras 2021, New Orleanians were forced to get creative in order to maintain their time-honored tradition. And thus, Yardi Gras was born.

Parade of House Floats

Yardi Gras is exactly what it sounds like. Mardi Gras, but with yards. Because there are no traditional parades, there are no floats to be made. So, local artists from all across New Orleans celebrate by turning homes into “house floats.” New Orleans-based photographer Laura Steffan captures the creativity and soul of these homes for HGTV.

A Whole New Level of Decorations

“New Orleanians usually decorate their homes for Mardi Gras, but not on this amplified level,” says Laura. The decorated homes truly are impressive and closely resemble the usual floats. Which makes sense, because many of the stunning decorations are actually the work of talented Mardi Gras artists.

An Impressive Lineup

“There are mostly DIY house floats all over the city using homemade items and decorations from local shops and merchants. Others have been created using the talents of out-of-work Mardi Gras artists who typically design and build decorations for floats,” notes Laura. This has resulted in remarkable displays of talent all across the city bringing joy to those mourning the cancellation of Mardi Gras.

Keeping Things Traditional

The majority of the house floats are comprised of traditional Mardi Gras decor, giving them a festive and colorful appearance. As Laura says, “…the Carnival flowers and giant objects and statues that are typically on Mardi Gras floats have made their way to front yards.” This is what really separates the Yardi Gras homes from the decorated houses of years past.

Take the Simple Route

“Simpler Yardi Gras decorations may contain ball garland (ball pit balls strung together), Mardi Gras colored lights, yard signs, door hangers, beads, and oversized Carnival masks, just to name a few,” says Laura. This beautiful historic home maintains its elegance while still showing up for the party.

Or, Geaux All Out

However, some houses choose to up the ante. “The more outlandish ones are usually centered around a theme and can consist of giant Carnival flowers, papier-mâché objects and figures, elaborate lights, statues, etc. It’s been amazing to see some of the creativity displayed on these homes! From a Jeopardy-themed house float to a ‘Mystic Krewe of Unicorns’ home to a display of giant dinosaurs on St. Charles Avenue, there has been no shortage of entertainment throughout the city," says Laura.

Come One, Come All

So, who participates in the house float decorating? “Anyone can participate! The Hire a Mardi Gras Artist initiative is a lottery system where those who donated were placed in a raffle, and those names that were chosen got a makeover to their home by Mardi Gras artists,” says Laura.

All for a Good Cause

“Decorating is open to anyone who wants to participate, but there are two main decorating efforts in the city - The Krewe of House Floats and the Krewe of Red Beans' (usually a parade on Lundi Gras) Hire a Mardi Gras Artist project," Laura explains.

Keeping Artists Afloat

With the cancellation of Mardi Gras and the pandemic’s overall effect on employment, Hire a Mardi Gras Artist is exactly what the city of New Orleans needed to support its significant artist community. And, in the end, everyone wins, as the entire city benefits from the beautiful additions to the neighborhoods.

Conscious Celebrations

Though there are no formal parades or tours, there are still ways to celebrate Yardi Gras together. "The focus this year is celebrating at home — Yardi Gras celebrations typically consist of small socially-distant gatherings on front porches and yards, on sidewalks, and on people's neighborhood blocks," notes Laura.

Take a Self-Guided Tour

However, another fantastic way to celebrate is by taking a tour of the house floats yourself. "People can view the houses as they please! They are scattered throughout New Orleans and can be found on an official map here," advises Laura. Because all of New Orleans is involved and the home decorations are part of a lottery system, the decorations are not exclusive to any specific neighborhood or street.

A Beautiful City

One of the greatest results of Yardi Gras is the highlight of New Orleans’ gorgeous architecture. House floats consist of a wide variety of homes. From small, modern abodes to towering historic mansions and everything in between, Yardi Gras knows no bounds and every home has the chance to dress up for the occasion.

Good Boys (and Girls)

Another beneficiary of the Yardi Gras celebration are the porch pooches of New Orleans. With an influx of visitors, the dogs of New Orleans are loving the attention and can be seen soaking it in on porches and in windows.

A Longstanding Tradition

In a time like no other, New Orleanians did what New Orleanians do and found a way to celebrate. When asked if she thinks Yardi Gras will stick around, Laura responds, “Absolutely, I think this will be a longstanding tradition! Yardi Gras has brought so much joy and excitement to the city, keeping the Mardi Gras spirit alive in a year of cancelled events.”