Everything You Want to Know About this Year's Krewe of Cork Parade

Krewe of Cork 2026

The Krewe of Cork has royal beginnings and a regal story to tell.

In 2000, a group of wine devotees came together on the first Friday of every month to have lunch. In February the next year, they proclaimed that love of wine in the form of a krewe. Official titles were bestowed upon the original members, with the most notable being that of King Patrick Von Hoorebeek. With a Royal Captain, Duke, Barrister, Chef, and Queen by his side, King Von Hoorebeek would lead his noble Corkians to greatness. The krewe has evolved since then to consist of over 400 members from New Orleans, the state of Louisiana, other states in the U.S., and even international members.

A Party Fit for a King

This krewe organizes several events over the year. One of them being a Royal Street Stroll, where the crew members, dressed in togas, parade through the French Quarter.

The krewe's main event of the year is their Mardi Gras parade. This takes place every year two Fridays before Mardi Gras Day. For the krewe members, this includes head to toe cork themed outfits, a lunch (wine included, of course) and a parade through the French Quarter. The night concludes with a decadent party at the Royal Sonesta thrown by the king and queen.

What to Expect

On February 6, the parade will start at the Court of Two Sisters, go down Royal Street, and around the Royal Sonesta to Bourbon Street. It will then turn right on St. Ann, turn onto Decatur, go up St. Louis, and finish at the Royal Sonesta.

The parade is fearlessly led by the King, Queen, and Grand Marshall. Each year, a different wine merchant is chosen as the Grand Marshall. The krewe will be decked out in wine-related regalia, such as champagne bottle costumes, grape dresses, and cork outfits. Some throws to expect are beads, cups, and, if you are lucky, hand-decorated corks along the parade routes.

A Royal Lineage

The Krewe of Cork has eccentric taste and steadfast passion for wine, but also a spirit of unique kindness. This is embodied by their king, Patrick Van Hoorebeek. Growing up with restaurant owner parents in Brussels, Hoorebeek has always had an appreciation for food and culture. Hoorebeek tells us on Krewe of Cork's website "that dining should be an occasion, and that dressing for it shows respect for the food and for your fellow diners. It's good karma."

When Hoorebeek isn't manning the parade, he is running Patrick's Bar Vin in the French Quarter. He is as dedicated to his libations as he is to his krewe. Written on the bottom of the krewe's website is a reminder, "Without wine, there is no joy."

The Krewe of Cork continues another year of providing royal joy to New Orleanians.