How to Advertise at Mardi Gras: 10 Creative Ways to Get Noticed

1. Parade Route Sidewalk Stickers

Why fight for billboard space when you can own the sidewalk? Parade-goers spend hours standing in one spot, making the ground beneath their feet prime advertising real estate.

How to Do It:

• Print eye-catching, waterproof decals with a QR code linking to your store.
• Place them along parade routes, near bars, and in areas with heavy foot traffic.
• Use bold colors and fun Mardi Gras-themed messaging to blend in while standing out.

Where to Get It Done: Book An Artist

2. Branded Coffee Sleeves

Mardi Gras mornings start early—and most parade-goers need coffee. Why not put your brand directly into their hands?

How to Do It:

• Partner with local coffee shops to provide free branded coffee sleeves.
• Print a QR code or promo offer on the sleeve, leading to your Shopify store.
• Bonus: Offer a limited-time Mardi Gras discount for anyone who scans the code.

Where to Get It Done: Custom Coffee Sleeves

3. Glow-in-the-Dark Chalk Art

Mardi Gras doesn’t stop at sunset, so why should your ads? Glow-in-the-dark street chalk ads are eye-catching, interactive, and make people stop and stare.

How to Do It:

• Hire a local street artist to create UV-reactive murals promoting your brand.
• Place them near parade routes, Bourbon Street, and party hubs.
• Use bold messaging like “SCAN ME FOR A FREE GIFT” with a QR code linking to your store.

Where to Get It Done: Graffiti USA

4. Mobile LED Billboard Trucks

Why stay in one place when you can take your ad everywhere? LED billboard trucks drive through high-traffic areas, making them impossible to miss.

How to Do It:

• Rent a mobile billboard truck and display a rotating ad for your brand.
• Have it follow major parade routes and drive around French Quarter hotspots.
• Pro tip: Use motion graphics and bold colors to maximize visibility.

Where to Get It Done: Big Easy Billboards

5. Branded Parade Throws (Beyond Beads)

Beads are everywhere, but imagine throwing branded koozies, cups, or light-up bracelets instead. These are way more useful and keep your brand in people’s hands long after Mardi Gras ends.

How to Do It:

• Create custom parade throws with your logo and website.
• Distribute branded, reusable cups—they’ll get used all festival long.
• Offer a Mardi Gras-themed promo code on each item to drive traffic to your Shopify store.

Where to Get It Done: Kern Studios

6. Temporary Tattoo Booths

People love free stuff—especially if it makes for a great photo opp. Set up a temporary tattoo booth featuring your brand’s logo or a fun Mardi Gras design.

How to Do It:

• Offer free Mardi Gras-themed tattoos at high-traffic locations.
• Make them branded but fun, so people want to wear them.
• Encourage attendees to tag your brand on social media in exchange for a small discount.

Where to Get It Done: Custom Temporary Tattoos

7. Sponsored Charging Stations

Mardi Gras means endless selfies, live streams, and Google Maps searches—which means dead phone batteries. Offer branded charging stations and save the day.

How to Do It:

• Set up branded phone charging stations at bars, parade routes, and festival areas.
• Offer free charging in exchange for social media follows or QR code scans.
• Make the station Instagrammable, with a fun backdrop for photos.

Where to Get It Done: ChargeFuze

8. Branded Cocktail Napkins & Bar Menus

Mardi Gras = bars, drinks, and lots of Instagram stories. Put your brand right in the middle of the action by printing branded cocktail napkins and drink menus.

How to Do It:

• Partner with local bars to supply branded napkins and drink menus.
• Include a QR code for a Mardi Gras-only deal on your Shopify store.
• Use fun, catchy messaging like “Scan Here for a Free Drink… Just Kidding, But We Do Have Free Shipping!”

Where to Get It Done: Custom Cocktail Napkins

9. Balcony Banner Advertising

New Orleans’ famous French Quarter balconies are prime real estate for advertising. Instead of billboards, think huge, eye-catching balcony banners.

How to Do It:

• Rent balcony space in high-traffic areas like Bourbon Street.
• Hang massive banners featuring your brand name, logo, and QR code.
• Bonus: Live-stream from your balcony to create buzz online.

Where to Get It Done: Check out Airbnb rentals with balcony space and negotiate with the owners.

10. “Catch the Golden Bead” Giveaway

People love scavenger hunts and free prizes. Why not create a Mardi Gras treasure hunt featuring exclusive discounts?

How to Do It:

• Hide golden beads (or another unique throw item) throughout Mardi Gras hotspots.
• Each bead has a special QR code leading to a secret discount page.
• Use social media to drop clues on where to find them.

Where to Get It Done: Print custom gold beads with QR codes via Custom Beads

Mardi Gras Marketing = Big Brand Exposure

Mardi Gras isn’t just beads and booze—it’s a huge opportunity to market your brand in creative, unexpected ways. Whether you’re slapping stickers on parade routes, handing out branded throws, or setting up a charging station, the key is being where the people are.

And during Mardi Gras? That’s everywhere.

So pick your strategy, get creative, and make this year’s Mardi Gras your biggest sales event yet.