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In 1872, the city of New Orleans was struggling through years of Reconstruction. To help the city and promote tourism, proclamations of Mardi Gras were posted at train stations throughout the country. Rex commanded his subjects to gather and celebrate Carnival in New Orleans. From there on, Mardi Gras became a sought-after tourist attraction. New Orleans comes alive during Mardi Gras in ways that are impossible to capture until you’ve seen it with your own eyes. The vibrant parades, dazzling costumes, and infectious energy create an experience that's truly one-of-a-kind—but, let’s be honest, it can also overwhelm first-timers. New Orleans is cranking up the volume for Mardi Gras 2025, and there’s excitement in the air for what is often hailed as the greatest free show on earth. This iconic festival, culminating on Tuesday, March 4, is deeply rooted in Christian and Roman Catholic traditions but has evolved into a secular celebration. Mardi Gras Indians may be one of the most mysterious aspects of New Orleans Mardi Gras, particularly for visitors to the city. Tribes were formed by African American communities who were excluded from traditional parades and krewes, and they typically poke fun at krewe royalty and governing structures. 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? Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. It's most famously celebrated with parades in New Orleans Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a one to a three-month stretch of the year in which the streets come alive with music, art, and costumed revelers. Beginning on Twelfth Night, January 6, the best season of the year is upon us: king cake, bead-tossing, and parading begins and only increases as we make our way toward Mardi Gras Day. And like his fellow Crescent City denizens, Mardi Gras is a part of the fabric of his being. “Mardi Gras is a time for us to put away all our differences and celebrate the crown jewel that is New Orleans,” he says. “We not only celebrate the city during this annual festive occasion: we celebrate life.” New Orleans goes big for Mardi Gras with festive float-filled parades, dazzling balls and other events that draw tourists from around the world, but it’s also a time for local family gatherings. Mardi Gras occurs all over Louisiana, although New Orleans’ celebration is the most famous. Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) receives flights from around the world, but fair warning, tickets can get pretty expensive near Mardi Gras day. One of the top things to do at Mardi Gras is see (or even better yet — join) a parade. Most locals refer to Mardi Gras as the final two weekends of the celebration, when most of the parades and events take place. When to Visit for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. You can visit any time during Carnival (between January 6th and March 4th, 2025) to experience parades and festivities. New Orleans was established in 1718 by Bienville. By the 1730s, Mardi Gras was celebrated openly in New Orleans, but not with the parades we know today. In the early 1740s, Louisiana's governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, established elegant society balls, which became the model for the New Orleans Mardi Gras balls of today. Read more about Mardi Gras: What happens in Mardi Gras in New Orleans? Kids always appreciate the blaring music, colorful costumes, and general feeling of freedom and expression during this period, so don’t be afraid to bring them along to Mardi Gras this year. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is arguably the best party you'll find in the United States. Every year over a million people travel to New Orleans to join in the fun during Carnival season, which begins on January 6, known as Epiphany or Twelfth Night, and lasts until Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday." New Orleans is always a good idea, especially for lovers of food, drink and music. But nothing compares to visiting the Big Easy during carnival season, when 1.4 million revelers flock to the city to carouse in some of the world’s best parades and parties. Middle School and Beyond: Mardi Gras Pros in the Making. As kids grow into their tween and teen years, they’ll start to appreciate Mardi Gras on a whole new level. They’ll likely want to stay out longer, explore more parades, and even get into the history and artistry of the krewes. There is evidence that Mardi Gras was being celebrated in New Orleans as early as the 18th century. Mardi Gras was first mentioned in North America in 1699 in the writings of French explorer Pierre le Moyne, Sieur d'Iberville, who camped on the Mississippi River about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of the present location of New Orleans. Visit from January 22-February 21 for new installations celebrating Mardi Gras. If you plan on staying in New Orleans this Mardi Gras season, be sure to take advantage of these hotel and attraction deals. With up to 20% off the best available room rate, discounts on swamp tours and free drinks, there's plenty of reasons to stay in NOLA this In 1856, 21 businessmen gathered at a club room in the French Quarter to organize a secret society to observe Mardi Gras with a formal parade. They founded New Orleans' first and oldest krewe, the Mistick Krewe of Comus. According to one historian, "Comus was aggressively English in its celebration of what New Orleans had always considered a There’s nothing quite like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. One of the world’s most iconic celebrations – and definitely one of the most well-known experiences in New Orleans – Mardi Gras is a mix of parades, music, food, and local culture that takes over the city for an experience like no other.
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