In New Orleans, Carnival season begins on Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, a holiday that happens on January 6 (12 days after Christmas). Many smaller parades are hosted leading up to the 12-day parading period. But the last five days make up the main weekend (from Thursday night through Fat Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, originated in medieval Europe and arrived in North America with French explorers in 1699. It's celebrated with unique traditions, vibrant colors, and delicious food, making it a global phenomenon. The traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold represent justice, faith, and power. The Origins of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a festive season celebrated in many parts of the world. Its rich history and vibrant traditions make it a fascinating topic. Let's dive into some intriguing facts about this colorful celebration. Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. If you enjoyed learning facts about Mardi Gras masks, make sure you check out these other holidays that involve mask-wearing: Samhain, Bonfire Night (also known as Guy Fawkes Day) and Halloween. Pin this post with facts about Mardi Gras for later. Would you like a reminder of this post with facts about Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras is a mesmerizing blend of history, spirituality, and unfettered joy, affording a unique view into the diversity of human celebration, from its medieval European origins to modern-day international gatherings. Here are some fascinating facts regarding Mardi Gras’s history. 1. Beads, floats and partying in the street — most people associate this much with New Orleans' Mardi Gras, but here are 10 facts that aren't as well-known about the annual celebration, which 1. Mobile Is The Birthplace Of Mardi Gras. First things first: The beloved tradition was actually born in Mobile, Alabama, though many associate it with New Orleans. Mobile first celebrated Mardi Gras in 1703, with the party really heating up in 1831. Mardi Gras is still a huge event in Mobile, with dozens of balls and parades every year. Festival season is about much more than throwing beads and eating king cake, however; read on for five little-known facts about the historic holiday. Mardi Gras started in Mobile, Ala. The weeks leading up to Mardi Gras are known as carnival, which is a word derived from Latin “ carne vale ” meaning “farewell to meat.” While modern fasting rules of the churches have eased, requiring only abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during lent, the joy and revelry of Mardi Gras is celebrated around the world to Here are some fun facts about Mardi Gras you’ll want to remember. 1. Mardi Gras didn’t start in New Orleans. While Mardi Gras carnivals are widely associated with New Orleans, Louisiana, the very first celebrations of this nature began over in Mobile, Alabama. The art of celebrating Mardi Gras this way dates all the way back to 1703! 2. The Legend of Mardi Gras Indians: The Mardi Gras Indians are a group of African American men and women who dress up in elaborate feathered and beaded costumes and perform in Mardi Gras parades. According to legend, the tradition of Mardi Gras Indians dates back to the 19th century, when African American slaves in Louisiana were inspired by 1. Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday," is the culmination of Carnival, which by its latin roots means the "removal of flesh/meat." Author Greg Tobin writes that, due to lack of refrigeration, Christians often abstained from dairy and meat products altogether during this period -- which of course would make for much leaner Carnival season than people today celebrate. This year, Mardi Gras falls on February 9, 2016. As it is commonly understood, Mardi Gras is a raucous celebratory affair that serves as a final shebang before the 40-day abstinence of Lent. But there are several key characteristics of this holiday that may have gotten lost in transition. In 1872, the celebration began naming a royal court, a tradition that continues today. In 1875, the state of Alabama declared Mardi Gras a holiday in Mobile and in 1938, the Colored Carnival Association was founded and the first Black Krewe, the Knights of May Zulu. In the ‘70s, the CCA was renamed the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association (MAGMA). 27 Facts About Mardi Gras . Events. 22 Jan 2025 32 Facts About Kentucky Derby Trending Facts. General. 16 Jan 2020. 300 Crazy Fun Facts To Start Your Day Countries around the world celebrate Mardi Gras as the last day of Carnival season, which starts after Christmas, on January 6th, (known as 'Twelfth Night'). MARDI GRAS IS ALSO KNOWN AS "PANCAKE DAY" In Ireland, England, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, people celebrate Mardi Gras by eating pancakes and particpating in pancake themed activities. Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Mardi Gras and Pancake Day celebrate the same thing What do Samba, music, masks, beads, pancakes and feasting have in common? They are all celebrating Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras), which is the last day to feast on rich and fatty foods before Lent begins! What makes each celebration so different is the country in which Well, simply put: Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday in French. ("Mardi" is the French word for Tuesday and "gras" means fat.) Plus, there's more about the holiday that you'll want to know. Read on for everything you should know about Fat Tuesday, including how people celebrate, its origins, and some other fun facts. What is Fat Tuesday? Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Mardi Gras and Pancake Day celebrate the same thing What do Samba, music, masks, beads, pancakes and feasting have in common? They are all celebrating Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras), which is the last day to feast on rich and fatty foods before Lent begins! What makes each celebration so different is the country in which Universal Mardi Gras Kern Studios window (Photo: Tarah Chieffi) Blaine Kern was affectionately known as “Mr. Mardi Gras.” After his death in 2020 at the age of 93, Universal paid tribute to his memory and the theme park’s longstanding partnership with a specially painted window inside the park.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |