12 Festive Mardi Gras Party Ideas For Adults

Even if you live miles away from New Orleans, you can still celebrate Mardi Gras in style! Here are 12 fabulous and festive Mardi Gras party ideas for adults to make your Mardi Gras party as authentic and fun as the celebrations in New Orleans themselves!

1. Go all out with Mardi Gras decorations

speakeasy lounge new orleans style
Source: Peerspace

When it comes to a Mardi Gras party, there is no such thing as too many decorations! Peerspace is the #1 online marketplace for event venues and offers an array of pre-decorated spaces that would be perfect for your event. Balloons, streamers, centerpieces, tableware — you can rent a space with literally everything you need, included!

For example, this Peerspace event venue has a New Orleans lounge theme design, complete with jewel tone furnishings and pops of gold. It’s a fun way to enjoy a NOLA-themed vibe, even when you live across the country from NOLA itself!

2. Add a peacock theme

Mardi Gras Party Ideas For Adults
Source: Peerspace

If you are looking for Mardi Gras party ideas for adults to really spruce up the theme, consider adding some fun peacock elements! For example, the peacock centerpieces, napkins, and colors in this Cleveland Peerspace venue would really make a Mardi Gras theme pop.

3. Light up your space with purple and green

instagrammable places in indianapolis
Source: Peerspace

Purple and green lighting can add such a cool ambiance to your Mardi Gras party! Especially if you plan to have a live performance. This historic venue in Indiana showcases just how energizing purple and green lighting can make your Mardi Gras-themed party! The venue also includes an amazing sound system, hi-res LED wall, and access to an outdoor marquee to direct your guests to the right location.

4. Rent some amazing costumes

Masquerade Party Ideas For Adults
Source: Peerspace

If you and your guests love the idea of a Mardi Gras theme but don’t love the idea of buying all the parts and pieces to a Mardi Gras outfit — consider renting instead! Peerspace not only offers great venues, but we also have tips on where to find costume shops near you to rent out beautiful Mardi Gras attire! For example, check out these 10 fantastic options in Boston.

5. Dance the night away

East Village Restaurant and Bar
Source: Peerspace

Mardi Gras is all about dancing! From the ragtime favorites to the jazz classics and the Zydeco specialty songs — it’s hard not to dance when the music starts playing! Zydeco music is native to New Orleans and is paired well with the Mambo or Merengue. However, you can mix it up by dancing any of your other favorite dances too! On Peerspace, you can even find venues, like this one in New York City, that offer dancing classes as an add-on to your booking!

6. Switch out the DJ for a brass band

Designer Castro Lounge with Speakeasy sf san francisco rental
Source: Peerspace

If one of your Mardi Gras party ideas for adults was to hire a DJ, then think again! How about going for a true NOLA style and renting a brass band to play at your event? This San Francisco Peerspace would be perfect for a brass band to play in. The venue actually comes with three unique spaces — a gorgeous outdoor garden terrace, a secret basement speakeasy, and a club room and lounge for your brass band to play in!

7. Serve French Creole cuisine

new orleans themed bar in chicago
Source: Peerspace

It wouldn’t be a Mardi Gras party without some delicious Creole food and drink! However, we understand not wanting to put in all the work and effort to find a caterer or make your own Creole food. That’s what makes this Peerspace in Chicago so special!  Not only does it come all decked out with Mardi Gras decorations, but they also serve a variety of Cajun fares and fun cocktails!

“I had an amazing time, as well as my guests!” One Peerspace reviewer said. “The food is really good and so are the drinks”. Read more reviews for this venue and find other venues that serve Creole fare, like gumbo and beignets, on Peerspace!  

8. Bring your beads

Brother and Sister Photoshoot Ideas
Source: Peerspace

Have your party guests come decked out in beads and deck your venue out in fun beads too! We love the idea of classing up the beaded look like this luxurious venue in New Jersey does. The beaded curtains next to the white throne give such classy Mardi Gras vibes.

9. Have an awesome photo wall

Mardi Gras Party Ideas For Adults
Source: Peerspace

Once you and your guests are all dressed up for the Mardi Gras party — you’ll want to capture all the beautiful fashion statements! That’s why a photo wall is a fabulous Mardi Gras party idea for adults! A Mardi Gras-themed space, like this beautifully decorated wall in a New Orleans Peerspace home, would be perfect for taking selfies and pics with all your guests!

10. Take a trip to the heart of Mardi Gras — NOLA!

Divorce Photoshoot Ideas
Source: Peerspace

What better place to celebrate Mardi Gras than in the heart of NOLA? On Peerspace, you can rent event venues that put your right in the center of the action. For example, check out this gorgeous home in New Orleans that comes complete with a private courtyard featuring a fish pond and an antique fountain. It’s a beautiful spot to enjoy the Mardi Gras parades going by!

11. Masks, masks, and more masks!

Masquerade Party Ideas For Adults
Source: Peerspace

Wear a beautifully decorated mask, give mask party favors to your guests, and decorate the walls with gorgeous Mardi Gras masks too! We love the idea of incorporating as many masks as possible into your Mardi Gras party ideas for adults. Like how about this enormous and beautifully decorated mask photo wall at this California venue!

12. Have a Mardi Gras king and queen

Mardi Gras Party Ideas For Adults
Source: Peerspace

It’s Mardi Gras tradition to have a king and queen — so this is a must-include element for your Mardi Gras party ideas for adults! We recommend booking a space that comes with classy thrones for your king and queen to sit upon, like the gorgeous throne in this Chicago venue!

Find unique party venues on Peerspace

Get together somewhere better

Book thousands of unique spaces directly from local hosts.

Explore Spaces

Share your space and start earning

Join thousands of hosts renting their space for meetings, events, and photo shoots.

List Your Space