Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is a legal holiday. However, elaborate carnival festivities draw crowds in other parts of the United States during the Mardi Gras season as well (3) Only the enumerated holidays in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, days of closure under Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, Mardi Gras only in those parishes in which the governing authority of the parish declares a holiday under authority of Paragraph (A)(3) of this Section, and all Saturdays and Sundays shall be considered as legal holidays As the date of Easter changes each year so does the date of Mardi Gras. The earliest date Mardi Gras can be is Tuesday 3rd February and the latest date is Tuesday March 9th. Mardi Gras is a legal state holiday in Louisiana. In Alabama, it is a holiday in Baldwin and Mobile Counties only. History of Mardi Gras The holiday is observed on the day before Ash Wednesday (also known as Fat Tuesday). [2] [3] [4] Establishing the state holiday made it possible for people to celebrate Mardi Gras legally, including suspending laws against concealing one's identity with a mask for the day, though it continues to be illegal on every other day of the year. [5] In 1875, the state of Louisiana declared Mardi Gras a legal holiday. [37] Economic, political, and weather conditions sometimes led to the cancellation of some or all of the major parades, especially during the American Civil War, World War I and World War II, but Carnival has always been observed in the city in some way. [37] Now, Louisiana is the only state that recognizes Mardi Gras as a legal holiday, although other states like Alabama and Mississippi have their own elaborate Carnival festivities. In 1875, Governor Warmoth signed the "Mardi Gras Act," making Fat Tuesday a legal holiday in Louisiana, which it still is. Like Comus and the Twelfth Night Revelers, most Mardi Gras krewes today developed from private social clubs with restrictive membership policies. Purple stands for justice, gold for power, and green for faith. In 1875, Louisiana’s governor made Fat Tuesday a legal holiday in Louisiana. Today, Louisiana is the only state where Mardi Gras is an official holiday. Two additional dates of historic importance in New Orleans Mardi Gras lore are 1875, the year the State of Louisiana declared Mardi Gras a legal state holiday, and 1889, the year of the first documented reference of women exposing their breasts at the event, reported by a Times-Democrat reporter who observed, “the degree of immodesty It is the only state where Mardi Gras is a legal holiday today, although it is celebrated in other parts of the country, particularly in Alabama and Mississippi. Mardi Gras has stood the test of time and many of its customs from centuries ago remain. Floats are decorated and parades are held. Beads and trinkets are thrown. Festive masks are worn. Now, Louisiana is the only state that recognizes Mardi Gras as a legal holiday, although other states like Alabama and Mississippi have their own elaborate Carnival festivities. Legal State Holiday - Mardi Gras. TUE. 4. March 2025. DCFS OFFICE LOCATOR. CUSTOMER SERVICE. LAHelpU.dcfs@la.gov ; 1-888-524-3578; Louisiana Relay TTY; 1-888-997-1117 Mardi Gras throws are strings of beads, doubloons, cups, or other trinkets passed out or thrown from the floats in the New Orleans Mardi Gras, the Mobile Mardi Gras and parades all throughout the Gulf Coast of the United States, to spectators lining the streets. The "throws" consist of necklaces of plastic beads, coins called doubloons, which When is Mardi Gras? Here are the dates for Mardi Gras 2010-2016. History of Mardi Gras The history of “Fat Tuesday”. The Story of Mardi Gras Another look at Mardi Gras. The Colors of Mardi Gras The official colors for Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. Mardi Gras Parades What’s a holiday without the Parade? “Throw me something Galvez Building, 12th Floor - 602 North Fifth Street PO Box 91154. Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9154 - 225-342-4999 - 800-256-2397 - 225-342-2831 (Fax) Legal Holidays. Pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statute 1:55, the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court observes the following holidays in 2024. Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras Bonus Fun Fact: Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in Louisiana, and has been since 1875, when Governor Warmoth signed the Mardi Gras Act. 2. Your Dog Will Love Mardi Gras. Dogs just want to have fun! And that’s what they get at their very own parades in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the Northshore and more! These animal-dedicated parades show off the Now, Louisiana is the only state that recognizes Mardi Gras as a legal holiday, although other states like Alabama and Mississippi have their own elaborate Carnival festivities. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, Mardi Gras shall be a legal holiday for the clerks of court for the parishes of East and West Feliciana, East Baton Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, Mardi Gras shall be a legal holiday for the clerks of court for the parishes of East and West Feliciana, East Baton
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |