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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 Mardi Gras (UK: / ˌ m ɑːr d i ˈ ɡ r ɑː /, US: / ˈ m ɑːr d i ɡ r ɑː /; [1] [2] also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the final day of Carnival (also known as Shrovetide or Fastelavn); it thus falls on the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. [3] In 1875, Louisiana declared Mardi Gras a legal state holiday. [5] War, economic, political, and weather conditions sometimes led to cancellation of some or all major parades, especially during the American Civil War, World War I and World War II, but the city has always celebrated Carnival. [5] Discover the history of Carnival, also called Mardi Gras The name Carnival might come from a Latin phrase meaning “to take away meat.” (more) See all videos for this article In the United States the principal Carnival celebration is in New Orleans , Louisiana . What does Mardi Gras mean? Translated to English, "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday." Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and gras means "fat." This name comes from the custom of eating all the fatty, rich foods in the house prior to Lent in order to prepare for fasting and abstinence. So, Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The History & Traditions of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in Louisiana since the 18th century, brought by French settlers. Today’s traditions stem from European carnival customs mixed with local culture, creating a uniquely New Orleans spectacle. We’ll get into most of these later, but here are the key traditions at a glance: Bienville also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. In 1703, the tiny settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile celebrated America's very first Mardi Gras. In 1704, Mobile established a secret society (Masque de la Mobile), similar to those that form our current Mardi Gras krewes. It lasted until 1709. In 2025, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, March 4. Mardi Gras—just one of the festival’s many names—is marked by raucous parties and parades, revelers wearing elaborate costumes, and delicious “The first place names given Louisiana were, appropriately, Pointe de Mardi Gras and Mardi Gras Bayou,” notes Mel Leavitt in his book A Short History of New Orleans. Iberville’s expedition went on to establish settlements at Biloxi Bay (Mississippi) and Fort Louis de la Louisiane (Alabama), located on the Mobile River a few miles upstream Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, which takes place March 4, marks the party’s climax and the end of Carnival Season on the Gulf Coast. The conclusion falls the day before Ash Wednesday and is seen as a final day of feasting and revelry before the solemnity of Lent. The 63rd Annual Saddle Tramp Riders Club/Church Point Courir de Mardi Gras will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Our full day event is one fluid route, but is comprised of a traditional Courir de Mardi Gras (Country Route) (8am-1:00pm),and a Parade down Main Street in the Town of Church Point (1pm-3:30pm). The Courir will stop at several Farmhouses along the route to collect ingredients for Here are the Top 10 Mardi Gras terms used in Louisiana and what they mean. Ball: A Mardi Gras ball or bal is a special event that Krewes host before their parades roll. . They are usually opulent, formal affairs with costumes and dancing and often feature a tableau, which is the presentation of the royal c 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 New Orleans Mardi Gras is known for its vibrant food scene. Cajun cuisine is at the heart of the celebration, making every meal unforgettable. You’ll taste the rich flavors of Louisiana’s culture. Unique Mardi Gras customs are celebrated through famous dishes. Gumbo, a seafood stew, is a Creole cooking staple. For a large part of Louisiana, this isn’t the true Mardi Gras. We’re talking about local Cajun Mardi Gras—complete with a chicken chase! Cajun Mardi Gras, or Courir de Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday Run), has been a staple in southern Louisiana for hundreds of years. The tradition dates back to 17th-century Europe; Europeans who settled in the While Mardi Gras is celebrated in various forms around the world, it is most famously associated with New Orleans, Louisiana. Over the centuries, Mardi Gras in New Orleans has evolved into a grand and extravagant celebration, deeply rooted in the city’s unique blend of French, African, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures. Several of the Mardi Gras symbols tie directly to the religious meaning of Mardi Gras, so to understand the symbols, we need to understand the religious context of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras celebrates the conclusion of the Carnival season, which begins on January 6th and ends with Mardi Gras. January 6th is known as Epiphany. How did Mardi Gras get it's start? Mardi Gras has been called the biggest party on the planet and seeing how it originated in Europe and is still celebrated there as well as in North and South America, it just might be the biggest party ever! While Mardi Gras is known for a certain level of debauchery, it finds its roots in Christianity. Let’s explore the origins and meaning of these three colors that shape the exhilarating spirit of Mardi Gras. Origins of the Mardi Gras Colors. The colors of Mardi Gras – purple, green, and gold, can be found as early as 1872 at a carnival organized by the company Rex for a Russian aristocrat’s arrival. Rooted in French medieval history and brought to Louisiana in the 19th century, Courir de Mardi Gras has many rituals that come together in a celebration on Fat Tuesday. It's commonly referred to as "the real Mardi Gras." The main event in a Cajun Country Mardi Gras is the traditional courir or “run” led by the capitaine of the Mardi Gras
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