Monday, July 14, 2025

Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras In New Orleans

The sunshine came out and so did the crowds on Saturday to see one of the most popular parades during the carnival season. The Krewe of Iris rolled through the streets to toss their famous throws and beads to hundreds of thousands of revelers that descended upon New Orleans for Mardi Gras.

Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict

The Krewe of Iris is the oldest and now the largest Carnival organization for women in New Orleans. The krewe organized in 1917 and is holding strong to the honored Mardi Gras traditions in its Uptown parade. Iris members always wear white gloves and masks, maintaining the “mystery” of the season.

Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict

The Krewe takes its name from Iris, the goddess of the rainbow and the messenger of the gods in classical Greek mythology.

Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict

Parading through the streets of New Orleans since 1959, the Krewe of Iris includes over 3,400 members participating in a Carnival celebration featuring bands and entertainment from across the United States, and 35-tandem floats.

Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict

Krewe of Iris is one of the only all-female super krewes to parade during Mardi Gras in the Crescent City. The theme of the 2023 parade was “Iris Soars to New Heights.”

Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict

Bands from across the state and walking krewes including the 610 Stompers, Krewe of the Rolling Elvi and the fitting Krewe Des Fleurs entertained crowds between the lavishly decorated floats.

Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras

Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict

Known for its unique throws, including hand decorated sunglasses and king cake babies, the Krewe throws a diversity of beads, cups, doubloons, and Iris-themed items.

Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict
Photos: Krewe of Iris Soars To New Heights At Mardi Gras
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict

Latest

Shania Twain Makes History at Calgary Stampede with Record-Breaking, Sold-Out Show at The Saddledome

Shania Twain made Calgary Stampede history last Saturday as...

History, Gardens, and Gold: Why Schönbrunn Palace Is Austria’s Most Visited Landmark

The Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most important...

Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas to Visit Asia in 2026-27

Beginning May 2026, Spectrum of the Seas sails from...

Newsletter

Don't miss

Shania Twain Makes History at Calgary Stampede with Record-Breaking, Sold-Out Show at The Saddledome

Shania Twain made Calgary Stampede history last Saturday as...

History, Gardens, and Gold: Why Schönbrunn Palace Is Austria’s Most Visited Landmark

The Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most important...

Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas to Visit Asia in 2026-27

Beginning May 2026, Spectrum of the Seas sails from...
Amy Harris
Amy Harris is a writer and photographer who has been traveling for 20 years and flown over 2 million miles to visit over 80 countries on 6 continents. She is a freelance photographer for Invision by Associated Press, AP Images and Rex/Shutterstock. Her work can be seen in various publications and websites including: Rolling Stone, AP Images, National Geographic Books, Fodor’s Travel Guides, Forbes.com, Lonely Planet Travel Guides, JetStar magazine, and Delta Sky Magazine.

Elbow River Camp, Chuckwagons, and Fireworks: A Deep Dive into Indigenous Culture and Western Tradition at the Calgary Stampede

Each year since inception, the Elbow River Camp is set up in the heart of the Calgary Stampede grounds. All five nations of the...

Shania Twain Makes History at Calgary Stampede with Record-Breaking, Sold-Out Show at The Saddledome

Shania Twain made Calgary Stampede history last Saturday as the highest grossing show ever performed in the Stampede’s 113-year history. She played to a...

History, Gardens, and Gold: Why Schönbrunn Palace Is Austria’s Most Visited Landmark

The Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most important cultural, historic, and architectural places in all of Austria. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage...