The nickname used for New Orleans house floats during the 2021 parade cancellation was “Yardi Gras.”
When COVID-19 concerns led New Orleans to cancel its traditional 2021 parades, residents transformed homes and businesses into stationary parade floats. The name “Yardi Gras” playfully combines “yard” with “Mardi Gras,” describing a celebration viewed by driving or walking past decorated properties rather than watching moving floats.
The idea grew from the Krewe of House Floats and efforts to support New Orleans float artists who had lost parade-season work. Many homeowners hired local designers, builders, and decorators, turning the city into a scattered, socially distanced Carnival display. The movement extended beyond front yards to porches, balconies, and entire facades.
A common mix-up is “house floats,” which describes the objects, versus “Yardi Gras,” the nickname for the broader home-based celebration. More than 3,000 homes reportedly participated around New Orleans and beyond in 2021.