Social Media During Mardi Gras

Jan 28

Mardi Gras season is officially here, which means parades, king cake, packed streets and a huge opportunity for local businesses to show up and stand out online. From catching parade-goers’ attention to keeping customers engaged all Carnival season long, social media can be a powerful tool.

Mardi Gras brings locals and visitors out in full force and they’re already sharing everything online. If your business isn’t posting, you’re missing free visibility during one of the biggest seasons of the year. Social media lets businesses join in on the celebration, even if they’re not on a parade route.

Incorporate simple Carnival elements: beads, purple, green and gold, king cake or parade décor. Even swapping your profile photo or adding a festive graphic makes your page feel current and relevant. It tells customers: yes, we’re open and yes, we’re part of the fun!

Short videos always win! Think Reels or TikToks of parade prep, staff outfits or reaction videos. Behind-the-scenes content feels authentic and relatable during Mardi Gras chaos. People love seeing how businesses celebrate, not just what they sell.

Use local and seasonal hashtags like #MardiGras2026 #NOLAMArdiGras or neighborhood specific tags. Always tag your location so parade goers and visitors can find you nearby. It’s a simple way to get discovered by people already out and scrolling.

People are looking for food, drinks, shopping and breaks between parades. Posting updates like hours of operations, specials or parade day deals keep your business top of mind. Social media becomes your real time communication tool during busy days.

Plan your posts ahead so you’re not scrambling during parade season. Even one post a day, keeps your business visible. Mardi Gras is short but powerful, so consistency matters.

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Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

Social Media During Mardi Gras

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