Mardi Gras (New Orleans, USA)

Mardi Gras transforms New Orleans for weeks with krewe parades, second-line marches, and neighborhood celebrations, peaking on Fat Tuesday with over 200,000 visitors. Unlike Barranquilla Carnival's UNESCO recognition, Mardi Gras lacks official heritage status yet remains woven into local culture as a way of life. The event rolls an average of 1,500 floats in 70 parades, distributing 25 million beads, making its float count 50% higher than Binche Carnival's modest total.