The Krewe of Freret's after-parade bash Shorty Gras is set to return to Mardi Gras World on Jan. 30, 2027, promising New Orleans revelers a night of music once the last bead is thrown. Organizers have announced a music lineup for the party, though the full bill isn't locked down everywhere just yet.
What's Confirmed for Carnival Weekend
According to WGNO, the party kicks off after the Krewe of Freret parade rolls down its traditional Uptown route starting at 3:30 p.m. The parade is known for imaginative floats and surprise celebrity appearances, and it wraps up right at Mardi Gras World, where Shorty Gras takes over for the evening. The Shorty Gras event website lists the party running from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. that same Saturday.
Trombone Shorty is serving as the 2027 parade Grand Marshal, while Greg Rhoades and Ashley J. Roché reign as King XV and Queen XV of the Krewe of Freret, per the event website. Attendees are promised a chance to soak up New Orleans sounds and culture during the heart of Mardi Gras season, the station's report notes.
The 2027 Lineup
WGNO reports that Diplo is returning to headline the 2027 Shorty Gras, joined onstage by Trombone Shorty, Orleans Avenue and Fly Boi Keno. The station describes Diplo as a DJ and producer known for blending pop, hip-hop, electronic and global sounds into high-energy performances. The event website echoes that same billing, listing Diplo alongside Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Fly Boi Keno for 2027.
The Shorty Gras event website also lists the 2027 lineup, including Diplo, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Fly Boi Keno.
Tickets, Age Limits and a Pattern of Mixed Bills
General admission tickets for Shorty Gras start at $75, with VIP tickets priced at $225, WGNO reports. The event website adds that Shorty Gras is restricted to guests 18 and older, with alcohol service limited to those 21 and up, and that all ticket sales are final with no refunds or exchanges.
This kind of lineup confusion isn't new for Shorty Gras. Coverage of the 2026 edition varied depending on the outlet: The Travel Addict reported that year's party featured Trombone Shorty, ZEDD, Juvenile and Big Freedia, while River Beats New Orleans listed Big Freedia, New Breed Brass Band featuring Trombone Shorty, and Diplo. River Beats also reported that Diplo had been set to spin live from a float along the parade route before the celebration moved to Mardi Gras World.
From a 2020 Debut to a Carnival Staple
Shorty Gras traces back to 2020, when the Krewe of Freret held its inaugural post-parade festival at Mardi Gras World, according to NOLA.com. That first lineup was headlined by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, with general admission tickets starting at $50 — well below the $75 starting price now listed for 2027. The Krewe of Freret says on its own site that since that debut, Shorty Gras has grown into an annual highlight of Carnival season.
Krewe of Freret Captain Bobby Hjortsberg told WGNO that Shorty Gras captures everything that makes the city special, pointing to the krewe's commitment to sustainability as part of that identity. That sustainability focus has been noted elsewhere too, with The Travel Addict reporting that the Krewe of Freret parade favors sustainable throws along with local vendors, artists and entertainers. Hjortsberg said the krewe continues to grow by seeking new ways to celebrate Mardi Gras while staying true to New Orleans, and he added that the krewe looks forward to welcoming everyone back for another Carnival season.
