It is then covered in sugar glaze and sprinkled with sugar in purple, green and gold (the colors of Mardi Gras). The person who finds the "surprise" has to provide the King Cake next year. It is popular throughout Mardi Gras, but specifically on Fat Tuesday–so named because it is the last day of eating and indulging before Ash Wednesday. In two words—sensory overload. But more specifically, it's a frosted seasonal treat that Mardi Gras partygoers eat between January 6 (otherwise known as Epiphany, Three King's Day, or Twelfth Night, and Fat Tuesday), which is the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Typically, king cake is made of a rich brioche dough and a While many king cakes will be eaten on the feast day, many, many more king cakes will be devoured throughout the entire Carnival season. You can count on any number of variations on a light, delicious sweet dough iced or sugared in Carnival’s official colors of purple, green and gold—colors that Louisiana businessmen selected in 1872 to You get to be "king" or "queen" for the day. But you also have a responsibility: Tradition dictates you must host the next Mardi Gras party or buy the next king cake, according to New Orleans.com . Whomever finds the trinket in their slice of cake gets to be the “king” for a day. In New Orleans, king cake and Mardi Gras go hand in hand: The cakes can be found starting in early The Carnival season always begins on Jan. 6, which is King’s Day (Feast of the Epiphany). Mardi Gras day (Fat Tuesday), however, is on a different day each year. Fat Tuesday changes every year because Easter Sunday is never on the same Sunday each year. Fat Tuesday is always the day before Ash Wednesday. Food; What is king cake and why is it eaten for Epiphany and Mardi Gras? Published: ; Jan. 08, 2025, 7:00 a.m. Mardi Gras — which literally translates to “Fat Tuesday” — is always the day before Ash Wednesday. This year, this time period falls between Saturday, Jan. 6 and Tuesday, Feb. 13. So Mardi Gras can be as early as February 3 or as late as March 9, making the Carnival season as short as 28 days or as long as 63 days. Mardi Gras Kick-Off: Parades & Events. Several events and parades are typically scheduled on January 6 in New Orleans, starting with a morning press conference and king cake party with the mayor. As the modern American Mardi Gras officially kicks off on January 6th, marking the Twelfth Night and the Epiphany, King Cakes extend their allure beyond Louisiana. This sweet treat is available for the duration of Carnival season which spans from January 6th until concluding on Mardi Gras day, which falls on February 13th this year. And wait till you hear the ingredient list: 4,000 pounds of Danish flour, 286 pounds of yeast, 428 dozen eggs, 1,178 pounds of water, 8.925 gallons of flavoring, 2,087 pounds of icing, 331 pounds Founded in 1872, Krewe of Rex is among the oldest groups in Mardi Gras history. Known as King of Carnival, Rex rolls directly after Zulu on Mardi Gras Day, but on a slightly different route through Uptown New Orleans. The monarch of the krewe, Rex, changes every year, and his identity is kept secret until Lundi Gras Day. “Carnival is a season. Mardi Gras is a day,” says Hardy. The glossy, everything-you-want-to-know guide One bakery might bake 500 king cakes a day. Five hundred cakes a day for two weeks is 4: When was the first Mardi Gras? The first Mardi Gras parade was held in New Orleans on Feb. 24, 1857 by the Krewe of Comus. They began the tradition of presenting a parade with floats and following it with a ball for the krewe and their guests. Mardi Gras Dates. 5: What is the significance of the Mardi Gras colors, and where did they come from? According to Franciscan Media, Mardi Gras came to the New World in 1699 when a French explorer arrived at the Mississippi River, about 60 miles south of present day New Orleans, and named the spot "Point du Mardi Gras" because he knew the holiday was being celebrated in France on that day. Eventually the French in New Orleans celebrated with Mardi Gras: The New Orleans Tradition. Mardi Gras, on the other hand, is deeply rooted in the culture of New Orleans, Louisiana. The term 'Mardi Gras' is French for 'Fat Tuesday,' referring to the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. In the spirit of a king cake, Billy’s Bakery‘s four Manhattan locations are serving a king cake cupcake made with cinnamon batter with cream cheese frosting and Mardi Gras-inspired royal icing 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 The main event takes place on Mardi Gras Day, which is the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is known for its colorful parades, costumes, and parties. Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, is a Christian holiday that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. The first Mardi Gras celebration in America was celebrated in 1703 in the settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile. Mardi Gras was celebrated soon after the city of New Orleans was founded in 1718
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |