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Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. It's most famously celebrated with parades in New Orleans Mardi Gras is not a federally recognized legal holiday in the United States but it is recognized as such in several states and areas, particularly in Louisiana where it has special significance. Government offices, schools, and many businesses may close for the day in some places, and Mardi Gras celebrations are officially recognized. In places like New Orleans, Mardi Gras is not just a holiday; it is a celebration of the city’s unique cultural heritage. New Orleans has long been a melting pot of different cultures, including French, Spanish, African, and Creole influences. Mardi Gras reflects this diversity through its music, food, art, and traditions. Mardi Gras celebrations began in America when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans, Louisiana. A few years later, New Orleans and other French settlements observed the holiday with street parties, masked balls, and lavish dinners organized by social clubs March 2025 holiday schedule: Mardi Gras, Daylight saving time, St. Patrick's Day, more March does not offer any federal days off, but it brings lots of festive holidays and celebrations to ring in At the heart of it, Mardi Gras is also a Christian holiday traced to pagan spring and fertility rites dating back thousands of years that has become a popular cultural phenomenon worldwide. And although Mardi Gras is today most closely associated with New Orleans, Louisiana, it is observed in hundreds of cities in more than fifty countries. The origins of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras traces its roots to ancient Roman festivals like Saturnalia, which involved feasting and revelry. With the advent of Christianity, these traditions were adapted into Carnival—a period of indulgence before the austerity of Lent. Mardi Gras specifically refers to the day before Ash Wednesday, when people Beads at the ready – Mardi Gras season is in full swing. Taking place between the Twelfth Night of Christmas (January 5) and Shrove Tuesday (which falls on March 4 in 2025), countries around the world mark the holiday with a vibrant season of carnivals. Mardi Gras is not just a single day—it is an entire season of festivities. While the date of Mardi Gras varies each year, falling 47 days before Easter, the season officially begins on January 6th. MARDI GRAS is the elaborate series of outdoor pageants and indoor tableau balls held annually during the winter social season in the United States, especially in New Orleans and Mobile. The carnival culminates on Fat or Shrove Tuesday , the day before Ash Wednesday , the first day of Lent. 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 The Mardi Gras Parade runs each night of the event, while concerts are held on weekends. Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration is included with admission to Universal Studios Florida or with an annual pass. Seasonal Passholders are completely blacked out on Mardi Gras concert days. The Parade But March has a lot in store, including Mardi Gras, Women's History Month, St. Patrick's Day, International Transgender Day of Visibility and more. 4205 Ryan Street Lake Charles, LA 70609 337-475-5640 communications@mcneese.edu Fat Tuesday is March 4, 2025, but Mardi Gras parades in Baldwin County roll well ahead of the holiday. Here is the schedule, [] BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — WKRG News 5 is your guide for all Mardi Gras has been an official state holiday in Louisiana since 1875 (despite starting well before that) and has grown year-on-year ever since. New Orleans now plays host to almost a million visitors each year for the famous Mardi Gras celebrations in which beads, banners and bacchanals abound. The MidCity District is set to host the 3rd annual Mardi Gras Paw Parade Sunday. Holiday / 2 days ago. AP International / 3 hours ago. As with many Christian holidays, the celebrations of Carnival and Mardi Gras were probably adapted in some way from pagan festivals. It may be rooted in a primitive festival celebrating the rebirth of nature; in Italy, it may be linked to the pagan Saturnalian festival of ancient Rome.[#1782] In 2025, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, March 4—Dive into the excitement, grab some beads, and let the good times roll. Mardi Gras conjures images of vibrant beads flying through the air, lively crowds filling the streets, and the unmistakable energy of Bourbon Street. But beyond the whirlwind of parades and parties, this legendary celebration And in a way, maybe that’s for the best. Because while Mardi Gras is usually seen as an American excuse to indulge decadence (as if Americans need an excuse) the holiday’s history might get a rare chance to shine for once. And that history is far more religious than we usually recognize. Mardi Gras is French for ‘Fat Tuesday.’
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