Washington Mardi Gras - It is called the 65th Parish for a reason!

The Washington Hilton Ballroom with a sea of revelers for Washington Mardi Gras

With Washington Mardi Gras coming up at the end of January 2024, now is the time to plan your trip to DC. This party like no other is a celebration of all things Louisiana in our nation’s capital, including its politics and its people. The Washington Hilton’s main bar becomes the “65th Parish” for the extended weekend, and the who’s who of Louisiana parties in style. This year’s theme, “Louisiana: The Most Interesting State in America”, is sure to be a spectacle with Drew Brees serving as the 2024 King for the Mystic Krewe of Louisianans.

The best way to get to Washington DC for the celebration is American Airlines’ new NONSTOP flight from BTR to DC. Flying BTR offers competitive prices, easy parking, minimal lines, and a life of ease, so there’s no reason to deal with the hassle of other airports when heading to Washington Mardi Gras! With a morning nonstop flight to DC and an evening nonstop return flight to Baton Rouge, the Mardi Gras reveler can get there and back, depending on your schedule, including going a few days early or staying a few days extra to check out some great restaurants, museums, breweries, and more!

I have made the trip to Washington Mardi Gras twice in the past. The first time was in 2019 when Congressman Garret Graves invited me to cook the “Louisiana Alive” party on Thursday night. I enjoyed it so much that I knew I had to be back as often as I could. In 2020 I attended again to broadcast my radio show live from Washington during the festivities. Unfortunately the party didn’t happen in 2021 due to Covid 19, and I didn’t get to attend in 2022 or 2023. However, I plan on being back in 2024, so look for me on one of those BTR to DCA roundtrip flights!

The bar at the Washington Hilton actually changes its name to “The 65th Parish” for the Washington Mardi Gras weekend. It is incredible who you’ll find from Louisiana just hanging out around the bar and lobby of the hotel.

*This post is sponsored by the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. All thoughts and quotes about Washington Mardi Gras are my own.