A flambeau is a flaming stick that is carried in parades at Mardi Gras to brighten the floats. A flambeau(flambeau is singular for flambeaux) is made from kerosene torches on top of a wooden stick in which sense. Some parades use neon torches which are not the original ones. Now, not many night parades use flambeaux due to the use of electric lights.

Most flambeaux carriers are usually African American men. They are picked out of a group of men to see who is going to be chosen to be a carrier. At one time flambeaux carriers often twirl and dance for parade watchers. Some parade watchers throw coins at the carriers for their performance.