Mardi Gras Party Games & Drinking Games for Adults (2026 Edition)

Laissez les bons temps rouler! Whether you’re hosting a Fat Tuesday bash, throwing a masquerade party, or just want to bring some New Orleans energy to your celebration, these 50+ Mardi Gras party games will keep the good times rolling all night long.

From classic drinking games with a Bourbon Street twist to bead-tossing challenges and masquerade mysteries, we’ve got everything you need for an unforgettable Mardi Gras party. Grab your beads, pour a Hurricane, and let’s get this parade started! 🎭

🍹 Mardi Gras Drinking Games

These drinking games capture the spirit of New Orleans — bold, fun, and slightly chaotic. Perfect for getting your Fat Tuesday party started right. Pair with Kings Cup or Flip Cup for maximum chaos.

1. Hurricane Roulette

Fill shot glasses with different colored drinks (some strong, some weak, one just mixer). Players spin a bottle and drink whatever it points to. Purple, green, and gold colors encouraged!

Best for: 4-10 players who like surprises

2. Throw Me Something, Mister!

One player is the “float rider” and tosses beads. To catch beads, you must yell the classic phrase and complete whatever dare the thrower assigns. Fail the dare? Take a drink instead.

Best for: Groups of 6+ with competitive energy

3. Bourbon Street Rules

Set up “street rules” for the night: Drink when someone says “Mardi Gras,” finishes their drink, puts on/takes off a mask, or loses beads. The rules stack as the night goes on.

Best for: Background game throughout the party

4. Fat Tuesday Waterfall

Classic waterfall rules, but the person who draws the Ace gets to wear the crown and make rules until the next Ace. Full waterfall rules here.

Best for: Card game lovers, 4-8 players

5. Mask On, Mask Off

Everyone wears masks. When someone catches you without your mask on, you drink. Last person caught without their mask wins. Gets hilarious as people try to sneak drinks.

Best for: Masquerade-themed parties

6. The Voodoo Queen

One player is secretly the Voodoo Queen (draw cards to determine). The Queen can “curse” players at any time — point at someone and say “cursed!” and they drink. If someone correctly guesses the Queen, she drinks double.

Best for: 6-12 players who enjoy social deduction

7. Second Line Shuffle

When designated songs play (jazz standards, brass band hits), everyone must parade around the room with their drink raised. Anyone who spills or doesn’t join drinks.

Best for: Music-loving groups

📿 Bead Tossing & Trading Games

No Mardi Gras party is complete without beads! These games turn those colorful strands into the currency of fun.

8. Bead Poker

Play poker but bet beads instead of chips. Different colored beads have different values (gold = 5, purple = 3, green = 1). Winner takes all the beads AND can assign drinks based on their winnings.

Best for: Card sharks, 4-8 players

9. Bead Toss Target Practice

Set up targets at different distances (cups, bowls, someone wearing a hat). Toss beads and try to land them. Miss your target = drink. Make the hardest shot = assign drinks.

Best for: Competitive groups with space to throw

10. Bead Exchange Market

Throughout the night, players earn beads by completing challenges. At any point, you can trade beads for favors: 5 beads = someone takes a drink for you, 10 beads = skip a dare, 20 beads = make a new rule.

Best for: Full-night party game economy

11. Bead Limbo

String beads between two points as a limbo bar. Traditional limbo rules, but make it Mardi Gras — losers drink, and the winner gets a crown of beads.

Best for: Active groups, house parties with space

12. Flash for Beads (PG Version)

Write silly dares on cards (do your best jazz hands, attempt a New Orleans accent, strike a pose). Draw a card, complete the dare, earn beads. Refuse = drink.

Best for: Large groups who want to keep it fun

13. Bead Relay Race

Teams race to transfer beads from one bucket to another using only their necks (no hands!). Dropping beads = penalty drinks. First team to transfer all beads wins.

Best for: Team competitions, 8+ players

14. Golden Bead Hunt

Hide one special gold bead strand somewhere in the party area. First to find it gets a prize and immunity from the next drinking round. Everyone else drinks in their honor.

Best for: House parties with hiding spots

🎭 Masquerade & Mystery Games

Masks add an element of mystery to any party. These games play with identity, secrets, and the thrill of the unknown.

15. Masquerade Murder Mystery

Assign secret roles before the party: one Killer, one Detective, rest are Guests. The Killer “eliminates” guests by winking at them. Detective tries to catch the Killer. Eliminated players reveal themselves and drink.

Best for: 8-20 players, mystery lovers

16. Mask Swap

Every 30 minutes, a bell rings and everyone must swap masks with someone. Can’t swap with the same person twice. Get caught with your original mask = drink.

Best for: Masquerade balls, ice-breaking

17. Who’s Behind the Mask?

Guests arrive in full masks. Throughout the night, try to identify who’s who without directly asking. Correct guess = they drink. Wrong guess = you drink.

Best for: Parties where not everyone knows each other well

18. Masked Confessions

Everyone writes an anonymous secret on a paper. Secrets go in a bowl. Read them aloud and vote on who you think wrote each one. Similar to Never Have I Ever energy.

Best for: Close friend groups, 6-12 players

19. The Masked Singer (Karaoke Edition)

Players take turns doing karaoke in a full face mask. Others guess who’s singing. Get identified = take a drink. Stump everyone = assign drinks.

Best for: Karaoke setups, music lovers

👑 King Cake Games

The king cake is a Mardi Gras tradition — and that little plastic baby inside opens up tons of game possibilities.

20. Find the Baby

Classic rules: whoever finds the plastic baby in their slice has to either take a shot, buy the next round, or host next year’s party. Make it your own tradition!

Best for: Any Mardi Gras party with king cake

21. Baby Roulette

Hide multiple babies in the cake. Each baby has a different consequence written on a paper underneath: “Drink 3,” “Give out 5 drinks,” “Wear the crown for 20 minutes,” “Make a new rule.”

Best for: Larger parties with big cakes

22. King/Queen for an Hour

Whoever finds the baby becomes royalty for an hour. They wear a crown, make rules, assign drinks, and get their drinks made by others. Then pass the crown.

Best for: Full-night party structure

23. Baby Auction

If you find the baby, you auction it off. Others bid beads. Winner gets the royalty powers. Loser who found it drinks for letting power slip away.

Best for: Bead economy games

24. Pass the Baby

Like hot potato but with the king cake baby. Music plays, baby gets passed. When music stops, whoever holds it drinks. Add a forfeit for dropping it!

Best for: Energetic groups, 6-15 players

🥃 Bourbon Street Bar Games

Channel the legendary party street of New Orleans with these bar-style games. Set up different drink stations for the full experience!

25. Bar Crawl at Home

Set up 4-5 “bars” around your space (kitchen = Hurricane station, living room = Sazerac spot, etc.). Groups must complete a challenge at each bar to get their drink and stamp.

Best for: Larger homes, 10+ guests

26. Sazerac Speed Round

Teams race to mix a proper Sazerac (or simplified version). Judged on speed AND quality. Losers drink the questionable ones.

Best for: Cocktail enthusiasts

27. Hurricane Chug

The signature New Orleans drink in a race format. First to finish a (responsibly-sized) Hurricane wins. Classic Flip Cup vibes.

Best for: Competitive drinkers, small groups

28. Bartender’s Choice

One person plays bartender and makes mystery drinks. Others must guess the ingredients. Closest guess gets to be next bartender. Way off? Finish your mystery drink.

Best for: Adventurous drinkers

29. Shot Wheel of Fortune

Spin a wheel with different shots or challenges: “Jell-O shot,” “Give one away,” “Everyone drinks,” “Truth or Dare,” etc. Mardi Gras themed wheel recommended!

Best for: Parties with drinking wheel props

30. Drunk History: New Orleans Edition

Players take turns telling (increasingly incoherent) stories about New Orleans history. Others vote on accuracy. Most entertaining storyteller wins; most boring drinks.

Best for: History buffs with a sense of humor

⚜️ Krewe Competition Games

Krewes are the social clubs that organize Mardi Gras parades. Divide into teams and compete for glory!

31. Krewe Wars

Split into teams (Krewes). Throughout the night, Krewes compete in challenges: trivia, physical games, creative contests. Track points. Losing Krewe does a group shot at the end.

Best for: 12+ players, competitive groups

32. Float Building Challenge

Teams get craft supplies and 15 minutes to build a “parade float” (can be a decorated box, shoe, whatever). Best float wins; others drink to the winners.

Best for: Creative groups, pre-gaming

33. Parade Relay

Relay race where each leg has a Mardi Gras task: put on a costume piece, toss beads into a target, chug a drink, do a dance move. First team to complete wins.

Best for: Active groups, backyard parties

34. Krewe Talent Show

Each Krewe must perform a short talent act (song, dance, skit). Other teams judge. Lowest score takes penalty drinks.

Best for: Outgoing groups, 10+ players

35. Bead Collection Battle

Krewes compete to collect the most beads through various mini-games and challenges. Count at the end — losing Krewe drinks per bead difference.

Best for: Full-night competition structure

🎺 New Orleans Trivia Games

Test your knowledge of the Crescent City! Great for themed parties and impressing fellow NOLA enthusiasts.

36. Big Easy Trivia

Classic trivia format with New Orleans categories: History, Food, Music, Mardi Gras traditions, Famous Residents, Sports. Wrong answers = drink.

Sample questions:

• What does “Laissez les bons temps rouler” mean? (Let the good times roll)
• What’s the traditional king cake flavor? (Cinnamon)
• What year did Mardi Gras become a legal holiday in Louisiana? (1875)
• What are the three Mardi Gras colors? (Purple, green, gold)
• What do the colors represent? (Justice, faith, power)

Best for: 4-20 players, any trivia fans

37. Drink If You Don’t Know

Rapid-fire New Orleans facts. If you don’t know the answer, drink immediately. Know it? Call out the answer and assign a drink.

Best for: Fast-paced groups

38. True or False: Mardi Gras Edition

Read outrageous statements about Mardi Gras. Players vote true or false. Wrong voters drink.

Sample: “The first American Mardi Gras was in Mobile, Alabama, not New Orleans.” (TRUE!)

Best for: Quick rounds between other games

39. Name That Jazz Tune

Play clips of famous New Orleans jazz songs. First to correctly name the song or artist wins. Add drinking penalties for wrong guesses.

Best for: Music lovers, quieter party phases

🎷 Jazz & Music Games

No Mardi Gras is complete without music! These games celebrate the soundtrack of New Orleans.

40. Jazz Hands

When certain songs play, everyone must do jazz hands. Last person to do it drinks. DJ or playlist controller has the power!

Best for: Background game, dance parties

41. Brass Band Charades

Act out New Orleans things (streetcar, second line parade, po’boy eating, jazz funeral, etc.) without speaking. Team guesses. Great with themed charades from our dare list.

Best for: 6-12 players

42. Second Line Dance-Off

Teams take turns second-lining (the iconic New Orleans parade dance with handkerchiefs or umbrellas). Crowd votes on best performance. Losers drink.

Best for: Dance-loving groups

43. Musical Masks

Like musical chairs, but when music stops, everyone must find a partner and swap masks. Anyone without a partner drinks.

Best for: 8+ players, masquerade parties

👗 Costume & Mask Contests

Mardi Gras is about transformation and spectacle. Reward the effort!

44. Best Dressed Krewe Member

Vote on best overall costume. Winner gets immunity from drinking for one hour. Runner-ups drink in their honor.

Best for: Any costume party

45. Most Creative Mask

Judge masks on creativity, not just expense. DIY efforts get bonus points. Loser with least creative mask takes a shot.

Best for: Masquerade-themed parties

46. Quick Change Challenge

Players have 3 minutes to create a new costume piece from random materials. Best improvised costume wins; worst drinks.

Best for: Creative groups, ice-breaking

47. Purple, Green & Gold Check

Random “checks” throughout the night. Anyone not wearing all three Mardi Gras colors drinks. Layer up!

Best for: Background rule

😌 Chill Fat Tuesday Games

Not every moment needs to be high energy. These games are perfect for winding down or intimate gatherings.

48. Mardi Gras Would You Rather

Themed Would You Rather questions: “Would you rather catch beads from a celebrity or ride on a float?” Minority vote drinks.

Best for: 4-10 players, conversation starters

49. Fat Tuesday Confessions

Before Lent, people confess! Take turns sharing something you’re “giving up” or confessing (silly or real). Group votes on most interesting. Similar to Most Likely To format.

Best for: Close friends, deeper conversations

50. Lazy River

Everyone sits in a circle, drinks in hand. One person shares a New Orleans fact, memory, or story. If anyone has a related story, they share next. Keep the “river” flowing. Long pauses = drink.

Best for: Late night, intimate groups

51. Mask Design Station

Set up a craft station with plain masks and decorations. Guests decorate while chatting and sipping. Best mask gets a prize.

Best for: Pre-party activity, mixed age groups

52. Mardi Gras Movie Drinking Game

Watch a New Orleans-set movie (Princess and the Frog, The Big Easy, Interview with the Vampire). Drink when you see beads, hear jazz, or spot a cliché.

Best for: Quieter gatherings, couples

How to Host the Ultimate Mardi Gras Party

Essential Supplies

• Beads: Lots. In purple, green, and gold.
• Masks: Buy cheap ones or host a decorating station
• King Cake: With the baby inside!
• Hurricanes: The signature cocktail (rum, passion fruit, citrus)
• Jazz playlist: Traditional and modern New Orleans music
• Decorations: Purple, green, and gold EVERYTHING

Easy Hurricanes Recipe

• 2 oz light rum
• 2 oz dark rum
• 2 oz passion fruit juice
• 1 oz orange juice
• Juice of half a lime
• 1 tbsp simple syrup
• 1 tbsp grenadine

Shake with ice, strain into hurricane glass, garnish with orange and cherry. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Party Safety Tips

• Pace yourself — Mardi Gras is a marathon, not a sprint
• Have plenty of water stations
• Serve food throughout (jambalaya, gumbo, beignets)
• Arrange rides home or have crash space ready
• Keep games inclusive — always offer non-alcoholic alternatives

More Party Game Ideas

Planning other celebrations? Check out our other party guides:

• St. Patrick’s Day Drinking Games — Perfect for March!
• Spring Break Party Games
• Easter Party Games for Adults
• Ultimate Drinking Games Guide
• Party Games for Large Groups

Wrapping Up

Mardi Gras is all about celebration, indulgence, and letting the good times roll before the quieter days ahead. Whether you’re going all-out with a full masquerade ball or keeping it simple with friends, beads, and Hurricanes, these games will help create memories that last long after Fat Tuesday.

Remember: the best Mardi Gras party is one where everyone feels included, the drinks are flowing responsibly, and the energy is authentically joyful. Now throw on your mask, grab your beads, and let’s celebrate! 🎭⚜️🎺

Laissez les bons temps rouler!