Mobile Carnival poster from 1900. Floats lining up for an Order of Inca parade in 2007. Mardi Gras is the annual Carnival celebration in Mobile, Alabama.It is the oldest official Carnival celebration in the United States, started by Frenchman Nicholas Langlois in 1703 when Mobile was the capital of Louisiana. For the uninitiated, attending Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, can be a little like drinking from a fire hose—and in this case, that hose is pumped with 300 years of history and more eccentric traditions than you can count. Even talking about Mardi Gras here requires a new vocabulary. Although The Big Easy in Louisiana is perhaps best-known for its Mardi Gras revelry, the port city of Mobile, Alabama, founded in 1702 by French settlers, lays claim to being the city that first But the birthplace of Carnival is in Mobile, Alabama. Mardi Gras actually began in Mobile, Alabama – a port city with close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, located about 140 miles east of Before New Orleans, there was Mobile, Alabama — the birthplace of Mardi Gras in America. Mobile, founded by Roman Catholics from France in 1702, was home to the first mystic society, or "krewe Start your Mardi Gras adventure in Mobile at the Mobile Carnival Museum. The Mobile Carnival Museum highlights the history of Mardi Gras in its true birthplace - Mobile, Alabama. The museum features 14 galleries, video presentations, a pictorial hallway and an interactive float area - all in a restored historic mansion. And in Mobile, Alabama, Mardi Gras isn’t just a celebration—it’s a lifestyle. Mobile is the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the US, launching the tradition some 16 years before it marched over to New Orleans, and while many outsiders have long forgotten that Mobile still hosts the original Mardi Gras, Mobile certainly hasn’t. Carnival, American Style: Mardi Gras at Mobile and New Orleans. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990. "Mardi Gras in Mobile: Excerpts from the 1908 Diary of Young Visitor, Senta Jones." Gulf Coast Historical Review 11 (Spring 1996): 69-76. Mardi Gras Vertical Files, Mobile Public Library Local History and Genealogy Section, Mobile, Alabama. The 2025 Mardi Gras celebration in the City of Mobile, Alabama begins on February 14 and continues through March 4, marking the city’s grand carnival season. This festive period stands as a testament to the rich history of Mobile Alabama Mardi Gras, dating back to 1703 when the tradition first started here. This Alabama Town Is The Real Birthplace Of Mardi Gras In The United States. Fat Tuesday takes on a life of its own in Mobile, Alabama—the birthplace of the modern-day Carnival celebration. Start your Mardi Gras adventure in Mobile at the Mobile Carnival Museum. The Mobile Carnival Museum highlights the history of Mardi Gras in its true birthplace - Mobile, Alabama. The museum features 14 galleries, video presentations, a pictorial hallway and an interactive float area - all in a restored historic mansion. Located in Mobile, AL (the birthplace of Mardi Gras) Arts & Culture; History; 755-A McRae ave Mobile, AL 36606. Get Directions (251) 450-5012. French for Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is always on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. This year it will be held on Tuesday Feb. 13. Mardi Gras is only one day but the Mardi Gras season, also known as the carnival season, can last for weeks culminating on Fat Tuesday. Many people assume that New Orleans is the birthplace of Mardi Gras. However, many Alabama is indeed the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the US. And while New Orleans is often synonymous with Mardi Gras celebrations, the original festivities actually began in Mobile, as far back as 1703. Did you know that Mardi Gras originated in Mobile, Alabama? Yes, it's true! Mobile is the birthplace of America's original Mardi Gras, which took place in 1703. Get ready for flying Moon Pies, great music, colorful floats, and all the Mardi Gras fun! Mobile Mardi Gras is family-friendly! It is the perfect reason to plan a visit to southern Alabama. And in Mobile, Alabama, Mardi Gras isn’t just a celebration—it’s a lifestyle. Mobile is the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the US, launching the tradition some 16 years before it marched over to New Orleans, and while many outsiders have long forgotten that Mobile still hosts the original Mardi Gras, Mobile certainly hasn’t. Experience: Carnival, the extended Mardi Gras season, is Mobile, Alabama’s, greatest living tradition. First introduced to the United States in Mobile by the French in the early 18 th Century, Mobile is the original home to Mardi Gras in the US. The celebrations are increasing grander and more diverse with each passing year. But the birthplace of Carnival is in Mobile, Alabama. Mardi Gras actually began in Mobile, Alabama – a port city with close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, located about 140 miles east of The Mobile Carnival Association is a group of civic minded people committed to promoting Mobile as the birthplace of Mardi Gras in America. It serves as a clearinghouse for issues related to carnival in the Port City. Discover Mobile, Alabama - the birthplace of Mardi Gras with a rich blend of cultures and historic architecture downtown. Sample fresh Gulf seafood, listen to live music in pubs and explore centuries-old oak trees and buildings that give this charming Southern city an international vibe.
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