Mardi Gras vs Carnival. Mardi Gras, which means “Fat Tuesday” in French, is a one-day celebration that takes place on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Carnival is a longer and more elaborate celebration that can last for several days or even weeks, depending on the location and begins on or around the Epiphany. Arthur Hardy, the founder of Arthur Hardy’s Mardi Gras Guide, knows a thing or two about Carnival and Mardi Gras. It burns him up when people–even people in New Orleans–confuse the two. However, the festivities leading up to Mardi Gras can start as early as Twelfth Night (January 6th), making the entire Mardi Gras season a prolonged period of celebration. Cultural Significance Both Carnival and Mardi Gras hold deep cultural significance, but they differ in their expressions and meanings. Traditional Food and Drink in Mardi Gras and Carnival. One of the most exciting things about Mardi Gras and Carnival is the delicious food and drinks that come with the celebrations. While there are many similarities between the two, there are also some key differences in the types of traditional cuisine and libations that are consumed. Carnival in Brazil is very different from Mardi Gras in the United States. Mardi Gras is more of a party atmosphere, where people drink and party in the streets. Carnival in Brazil is more of a cultural event, where people dress up in costumes and dance in the streets. During the carnival season, Brazil is most popular place to visit. 2: Are Carnival and Mardi Gras the same thing? Technically, "Carnival" refers to the period of feasting and fun that begins on January 6 (see question below) and ends on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), the final day of revelry before Ash Wednesday when Lent begins. It is also common for people to refer to the entire season as Mardi Gras and, for 1. Mardi Gras and Carnival are the same celebrations. Though Mardi Gras technically refers only to Fat Tuesday, the Mardi Gras season actually begins on Epiphany, a Christian holiday celebrated on Carnival and Mardi Gras, and for brevity, I’m just going to refer to it as Carnival for the rest of the episode as it is a more generic term for the exact same thing, is intimately tied to the Christian religious calendar. The date which determines when Carnival will be celebrated is Easter. Is Mardi Gras the same thing as Carnival? While Mardi Gras is often used to refer to revelries that take place between January and March leading up to Lent, Carnival season is the time period Battle of the Festivals: Carnival vs. Mardi Gras. Battle of the Festivals: Carnival vs. Mardi Gras. When it comes to festive celebrations, few events can match the grandeur and excitement of Carnival and Mardi Gras. These two vibrant festivals, although distinct in their origins and traditions, both exude an air of revelry and merriment that The Mardi Gras has the same number of dining venues. Some of its popular venues are ChiBang, Seafood Shack, and Big Chicken. nineteen of these restaurants are complementary and the other nine have an additional fee. The Carnival Jubilee has about the same number of dining options as the Carnival Mardi Gras. Brian Costello, author of Carnival in Louisiana: Celebrating Mardi Gras from the French Quarter to the Red River, writes, "The Carnival season and Mardi Gras day trace their roots from the Bacchanalia and Saturnalia ritual promiscuity of Roman times. With the spread of Christianity, similar revelry occurred during the period of carnival (Latin 2: Are Carnival and Mardi Gras the same thing? Technically, "Carnival" refers to the period of feasting and fun that begins on January 6 (see question below) and ends on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), the final day of revelry before Ash Wednesday when Lent begins. It is also common for people to refer to the entire season as Mardi Gras and, for 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 divided into six different zones that incorporate themed elements and spaces for hosting activities and events, over 20 dining options, and nearly the same number of bars and lounges. Mardi Gras accommodations, especially those near the parade route, fill up fast, but you can always contact us for availability. What to Wear for Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras weather in New Orleans can be unpredictable, with temperatures swinging from chilly to warm — even within the same day — so dressing in layers is key. One disappointing thing was the coaster ride. It was down the whole week. Finally, on our last sea day, it was up and running for about an hour. Then Nope! It seems like a great idea on paper but one that will never actually be workable on a ship. I'd imagine it is the same thing on the Mardi Gras. Balcony YES! Very much worth it. Mardi Gras is another name for Shrove Tuesday, and it’s a day of general excess and merrymaking for the same reason: it’s the final day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. You’ve also likely heard of carnival in relation to Mardi Gras, which comes from carnelevare, or “a removing of meat.” Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, marks not only the last day of Carnival but also the last day observants can eat meat and enjoy other indulgences before Lent. MEET THE CEREMONY. We kick off a new ship’s career with a naming ceremony and ours are one part tradition and a lotta parts fun! On the tradition end, we get dignitaries like Mardi Gras' godmother, Miss Dominican Republic Kimberly Jiménez, and our own Chief Fun Officer Shaq to help make sure the champagne bottle gets broken just right for good luck.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |