The Zulu Lundi Gras Festival kicks off the day at 10 a.m. at Woldenberg Park along the Mississippi River. The event will feature food, entertainment and arts and crafts. kreweofzulu.com, @zuluasp1909
There are more festivities over by Riverwalk Outlets starting at 11 a.m. Then as the evening falls, be on the lookout at around 6:30 p.m. for the arrival for the King of Zulu at the Aquarium of the Americas and Rex, King of Carnival at Spanish Plaza, where the King of Zulu heads over to greet his fellow monarch and have the city’s mayor ceremonially hand over leadership of the city for the next day. riverwalkneworleans.com, @riverwalknola; rexorganization.com, @rexparade
As nighttime approaches, the Krewe of Proteus, founded in 1882 and the second oldest parading krewe in New Orleans, starts to roll at 5:15 p.m. along the St. Charles Avenue route. Be sure to catch these old school floats that are among the prettiest. The Krewe of Orpheus parade starts at 6 p.m., and its 2024 celebrity monarchs are Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka. Afterwards this krewe has its raucous ball, the Orpheuscapade, that the general public can attend; ticket purchase a must. kreweofproteus.com, kreweoforpheus.com
Teatime
There is no resisting a fresh pot of tea and scones with Devonshire cream, part of the traditional English afternoon tea that has been a favorite for decades at the Windsor Court Hotel’s Le Salon (300 Gravier St.). The hotel also likes to create themed teas, and on Feb. 17, the hotel is celebrating its birthday, while others include an Irish tea (adults only), March 17 and an Easter tea, March 30 and 31, with more throughout the year. Reservations required. 504-596-4773, thewindsorcourt.com; @thewindsorcourt
Parade Party Essentials
No time to make your favorite dish for a last-minute parade party? Louisiana Fish Fry Products can help with its étouffée base, gumbo base and jambalaya mix ready to make these classic Louisiana dishes, but in less time than making it from scratch. Available at grocery stores; louisianafishfry.com, @LaFishFry
A Love-Food Relationship
Love knows no such thing as post-Mardi Gras exhaustion, despite Valentine’s Day being the same day as Ash Wednesday this year. So don’t forget to celebrate your loved one with a romantic night out. Start the evening at The Bower (1320 Magazine St.) with a rum and roses cocktail, then stay for dinner or head to Virgin Hotel’s Pool Club (550 Baronne St.), where a red rose installation awaits a memorable photo opportunity. Sip on cocktails and sample cuisine there or at the Commons Club. Over At Compère Lapin (535 Tchoupitoulas), try Valentine’s Day specials such as chilled oysters with mango mignonette. thebowernola.com, @thebowernola; comperelapin.com, @comperelapin; virginhotels.com/new-orleans, @virginhotelsnola
Tet Fest
Fireworks, lion dances, musical entertainment and great food all come together to celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the Tet Festival at Mary Queen of Vietnam Church (14001 Dwyer Blvd.). While the Vietnamese new year — Tet Nguyên Đán, or Feast of the First Morning of the First Day — is Feb. 10, the festivities are taking place after Carnival, Fri. Feb. 16, 6 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. Feb. 17, Sun. Feb. 18, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. The festival is free. maryqueenvn.org
