Krewe Du Pooch parade, Krewe of Mardi Paws parade among things to do this weekend, Feb. 24 - Feb. 26

NEW ORLEANS (NOLA WEEKEND) - Carnival has officially ended, but there’s still no shortage of things to do around town. If you’re still in the mood for parades, there’s a little lagniappe on the North Shore this weekend. Here’s a list of events happening in New Orleans and the surrounding areas this weekend from Feb. 24 to Feb. 26.

Krewe Du Pooch Parade

Now in its fourth year, the annual Krewe Du Pooch dog parade features dogs and their owners dressed in costume along the Mandeville Lakefront on Saturday, Feb. 25.

The 2023 theme is “Great Gatsby by Krewe Du Pooch!” A post-parade extravaganza features a free live concert, pet adoptions, vendors, food, drinks and fun activities for the whole family near Coffee Street.

The parade starts at noon. See the full schedule of events and parade route here.

Krewe of Mardi Paws Parade

Another parade for dog lovers, the 29th annual Krewe of Mardi Paws features dressed-up pups in downtown Covington this Sunday, Feb. 26.

For 2023, the theme is “Tails From the Barkside,” so expect a lot of little four-legged costumed monsters and villains. This year’s K9 grand marshal is Carlos, the dog who starred in “Max” and reprised his role in “Max 2: White House Hero.”

The parade is also known for glittered “doggie poop” as the coveted throw. Participants also throw cups, beads, doubloons and stuffed animals. Visit the website for complete parade details.

Thrillville Fair

Thrillville, the national traveling fair event, returns for its third year at the Shrine on Airline in Metairie starting this Friday, Feb. 24.

All the sights, sounds and smells of a carnival are part of the experience. The fair features more than 30 amusement rides, entertaining shows, games and fair food. Amusement rides include nostalgic favorites like the Ferris wheel and carousel, along with adrenaline-pumping rides for thrill-seekers.

The Thrillville Fair opens at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The event remains in town for two weeks until March 5.

Admission is $10. Children 36 inches and under and seniors age 65 and older enter for free. Individual ride credits or unlimited ride armbands will also be available for purchase on-site. Complete Fair details, schedules, and advanced ticket sales can be found online at the website, theThrillville.com/Metairie.

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra plays the music of John Williams

Music and movie lovers can experience a magical night full of iconic movie tunes. The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra plays the music of legendary composer John Williams at the Orpheum Theater on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Widely considered one of the most celebrated movie composers of this century, Williams composed movie scores for several notable film franchises, including “Star Wars,” “Jaws,” “Indiana Jones” and “Jurassic Park.”

The LPO features two show times at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25 via the website.

Shan Bailey

Shan Bailey

Shan Bailey is the digital content producer and on-air personality for FOX 8 Nola Weekend. Shan is a creative storyteller who is passionate about creating compelling content that connects with audiences.