NEW ORLEANS – Royal Sonesta New Orleans is celebrating carnival season safely in 2021 with its Mardi Gras MASKerade. In the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, themed pop-up events will be hosted at the iconic Bourbon Street hotel as a way to celebrate Mardi Gras traditions safely. Mardi Gras MASKerade will include virtual elements such as social media contests and live-streamed events so revelers worldwide can experience carnival festivities.
“Mardi Gras is synonymous with New Orleans, and I am thrilled to announce our plans to celebrate safely with Mardi Gras MASKerade,” said Al Groos, General Manager of Royal Sonesta New Orleans. “In conjunction with our Stay Safe with Sonesta initiative, we are proud that Mardi Gras MASKerade will help keep carnival traditions alive with reimagined ways to experience the things we love about Mardi Gras while ensuring a safe and socially distanced environment for our guests and staff.”
In the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras day, Royal Sonesta New Orleans will host Mardi Gras MASKerade pop-up events inside their famous interior courtyards, culminating with the annual Greasing of the Poles on Friday, February 12. Considered by many to be the French Quarter’s official kickoff to Mardi Gras weekend, Royal Sonesta New Orleans originated the ritual of greasing the building’s support poles as a practical means to deter overzealous revelers from shimmying up to the hotel’s coveted balcony space. Rather than cancel due to COVID-19, the iconic event has been reimagined as a smaller, private celebration and will include engaging virtual elements, with audiences from around the world invited to participate via live-stream.
Mardi Gras MASKerade pop-up events will include opportunities to celebrate carnival season from afar, with live streaming of select on-site events featuring popular Mardi Gras traditions. The hotel will also host a series of engaging, family-friendly social media contests with Mardi Gras-themed prizes to include king-cakes and throws, plus the grand-prize featuring a complimentary stay for two at Royal Sonesta New Orleans.
No matter where you are in the world, Royal Sonesta New Orleans invites you to celebrate the 2021 carnival season safely with Mardi Gras MASKerade. To learn more, please visit Sonesta.com and follow Royal Sonesta New Orleans’ social channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates and contests.
Royal Sonesta New Orleans is committed to providing a safe environment for all guests, visitors, and employees. Its Stay Safe with Sonesta initiative exceeds all CDC, WHO, and governmental requirements related to the Coronavirus pandemic. The program includes enhanced cleaning and sanitizing, social distancing, and guest room safety modifications. More information about the Stay Safe with Sonesta initiative can be found here.
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