Filling the Nyx Void: Who Will Take Over the Wednesday Night Parade Slot in New Orleans?
With the Krewe of Nyx removed from the schedule, two New Orleans area parading groups are competing to fill the vacant Wednesday night slot before Mardi Gras. So, who should take the spot?
The Controversial Removal of Nyx
In an unprecedented move this May, the New Orleans City Council decided to eliminate the Krewe of Nyx from future Mardi Gras lineups. In 2025, Mardi Gras falls on March 4th which marks the first year Nyx will no longer be present during its usual Wednesday slot. The decision stemmed from allegations that Nyx had violated several ordinances and generally failed to meet the standards expected of parading groups.
The removal of Nyx left a significant gap in the Wednesday parade lineup, which now only festures the relatively small Druids parade along the Uptown route. This has created an opportunity for another krewe to step up.
Potential Bidders
The Krewe of ALLA, traditionally parades on the first Friday of Mardi Gras season, but is keen to take over Nyx’s former spot. ALLA sees this as a chance to parade earlier in the week. Last year, delays pushed their parade end time to well after 1 a.m., which they hope to avoid by moving to the Wednesday slot. ALLA currently shares the first Friday with the Oshun and Cleopatra parades.
The Krewe of Symphony, which now parades in Jefferson Parish, also aims to fill the Wednesday night vacancy. Symphony applied for an Orleans Parish parade permit back in 2013 and believes they should be at the top of the "waiting list" after 11 years.
The Mysterious Waiting List
There’s some uncertainty surrounding the existence of a waiting list for parade permits. Carnival authority has mentioned this list for years but has never seen it. The NOPD indicates that the city’s One Stop Shop permit department handles permit requests, but the specifics remain unclear.
A Rare Opportunity
Nyx’s absence has created a rare opportunity for another krewe to join the parade lineup. Traditionally, parades are grandfathered into the schedule each year, making this an unusual chance for change.
Challenges in Adding New Parades
However, adding new parades isn’t straightforward. The city has capped the number of parades due to stretched police and public service resources, especially during the demanding 10-day parading season. Despite visiting law enforcement officers being called in to relieve some of the pressure, the city’s resources remain thinly stretched, making it challenging to accommodate more parades.
What’s Next?
The Mayor’s Mardi Gras Advisory Council, which includes krewe and city service leaders, will meet on July 25 to discuss the issue. They will then make a recommendation to the City Council on who should take the open Wednesday night parade slot.
Stay tuned as we find out which krewe will seize this rare opportunity to shine in the Mardi Gras spotlight.
