Krewe of Bacchus

Early in 1968, the Krewe of Bacchus broke with Carnival tradition by staging a Sunday night parade with bigger and more spectacular floats than anything previously seen in Carnival, and decided to have a national celebrity king lead its parade, breaking ranks with 113 years of Carnival tradition. Now, with more than 1,000 members and 31 animated super-floats, the Krewe of Bacchus is revered as one of the most spectacular Krewes in Carnival history.

Bacchus is the most innovative and imitated krewe this century. Owen "Pip" Brennan Jr. and a group of 13 friends decided to form Bacchus in 1968 to put spark back into the celebration of Mardi Gras.

The krewe's large signature floats, Rendezvous supper dance with Las Vegas-type entertainment, and national celebrity monarchs featured each year are just a few of the tradition-breaking moves that set the Krewe of Bacchus apart.

Bacchus, the Greek god of wine, has been portrayed by celebrities including Raymond Burr, Bob Hope, Dom DeLuise, Charlton Heston, William Shatner and Kirk Douglas, and Dick Clark. Luke Perry reigns as Bacchus XXVIII.

The parade's more than 25 floats include several super floats such as the Bacchagator, Bacchasaurus, and Baccha-Whoppa. The Krewe of Bacchus holds its parade on the Sunday before Mardi Gras Day ... drawing crowds of several hundred thousands every year.

The Bacchus parades through the streets of New Orleans with its massive floats, marching bands, and ceremonial escort groups .. ending up inside the Convention Center for their black-tie Rendezvous party of over 5000 guests from all over the country, featuring celebrity entertainment before and after the parade. If you can't be there in person, join us for the rebroadcast!

Interactive Parade Routes