Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, is the oldest Carnival celebration in the U.S.—even older than the one in New Orleans. The first known Mardi Gras celebration in the United States took place in this coastal Alabama town in 1703, and the town prides itself on being the birthplace of the American Mardi Gras tradition. While Mardi Gras is traditionally a Catholic celebration, modern Mardi Gras celebrations have welcomed people of all backgrounds with open arms and glittering beaded necklaces. Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States often include parades, carnival masks, and decorations in purple, green, and gold. The largest and most famous Mardi Gras celebration in the USA is in New Orleans, where Fat Tuesday is a legal holiday. NOLA has been celebrating Mardi Gras since the early 18th century and the Mardi Gras is a colorful and vibrant celebration that includes delicious and culturally rich foods, street parties and parades, and “krewes” handing out various festive trinkets. Whether you’re visiting the most popular spot or the site of the country’s first celebration, here are the top 5 U.S. cities to celebrate Mardi Gras. New What began in 1979 as a way for five bored guys to kick the winter doldrums has now become one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States. Since 1999, Mardi Gras in Soulard, the St. Louis neighborhood whose French name means “drunkard” in English, includes all the best things about Carnival — parties, parades, and other Mardi Gras, a festival that came to the United States as a French Catholic tradition, is celebrated on March 1 this year. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” reflecting the practice of Through elaborate parades, colorful costumes, and lively music, the city turns up for Mardi Gras. The famous mardi gras parade occurs on Bourbon Street and Canal Street, attracting many visitors. It is also the largest mardi gras celebration in the United States. Be sure to consider factors such as parking and hotels before attending. (Flickr user Dave Herholz). Outside of New Orleans, St. Louis claims to host the United State's largest Mardi Gras party. Founded by the French some 250 years ago, the Soulard district—a This year, the theme park will celebrate Mardi Gras for two months, from Feb. 1 to March 30. During that time, you can enjoy a nightly Mardi Gras parade, New Orleans jazz bands strolling the park, and concerts on most Friday and Saturday nights. All of these are included in the cost of your ticket. 1. New Orleans, LA. This one’s a given, but New Orleans doesn’t mess around when it comes to Mardi Gras. It was the first place in the US where Mardi Gras was celebrated when French explorers Iberville and Bienville landed in Louisiana on the holiday in 1699 and named their landing spot the “Point du Mardi Gras.” Orpheus (Monday before Mardi Gras): Known for creative floats and sought-after throws like four-foot stuffed dragons and custom-decorated tambourines. Zulu (Mardi Gras Day): Beloved for its unique throws, including the iconic hand-decorated coconuts. Rex (Mardi Gras Day): One of the oldest and most traditional parades, featuring a regal Celebrate Mardi Gras with the best flavors of New Orleans! From classic red beans and rice to rich crawfish étouffée, spicy boudin, and sweet treats like pralines and beignets, these Mardi Gras food ideas bring the party to your kitchen during Carnival and Fat Tuesday. The Best 2025 Mardi Gras Parades What is a Krewe? Mardi Gras in New Orleans revolves around the Krewes — the organizations that create the parades and events that define the season. There are hundreds of Krewes in New Orleans, each with its own history, traditions, themes, parade types, and signature “throws.” The term "Mardi Gras" is commonly used to refer to the entire Carnival season, but Mardi Gras (a.k.a. "Fat Tuesday") is actually just a one day, pre-Lent party. When is Mardi Gras? On January 6, a yearly event known as Twelfth Night, or the eve of the Epiphany, serves as the opening of the Carnival season (via Fox 8).There are many rituals, parades, and events that come March 4 is Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday), the last day of Carnival season just before Lent, which is the 40-day period during which many people spend in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Naturally With Rex, Zulu, doubloons, flambeaus, and king cake, Mardi Gras may sound confusing, but we’ve created the ultimate guide to help you understand all things Mardi Gras. Book your trip and head on down to New Orleans for the greatest and most historic celebration on earth. Even if you’ve never been to New Orleans, you’ve likely heard of Fat Tuesday — Mardi Gras in French. It’s the ultimate celebration of indulgence before Ash Wednesday, with non-stop revelry The Best Places To Celebrate Mardi Gras In The U.S. | Time Out. 1 min read Mobile Mardi Gras | Mobile, Alabama The first actual Mardi Gras celebration in the US took place in Mobile, Ala. in 1703, and it was a city clerk named Joe Cain No collection of Mardi Gras recipes would be complete without sweets, like our Praline-Cream Cheese King Cake or King Cake Beignets. Take a look through our recipes for best Fat Tuesday recipes and start planning your menu—there'll be something for everyone at this Mardi Gras feast.
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