Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a sedate French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, [3] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, in the late 17th century, when King Louis XIV sent the pair to defend France's claim on the territory of Louisiane, which included what are now the U.S. states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Download USA TODAY's app to get to the heart of news Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, The Mardi Gras season known as "Carnival" commences on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 and concludes on Fat Tuesday The Carnival season will end on Mardi Gras, which is now one week away! From parades to colorful beads and masks, there are dozens of traditions involved in Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras in New Orleans, also known as Carnival, has been in full swing since Jan. 6 and will close with a grand, final celebration on March 4, better known as Fat Tuesday. Originating from Here's a guide to five of the best Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrations in the USA, each offering its own unique flavor and experience. 1. New Orleans, Louisiana: The Epicenter of Mardi Gras. New Orleans' Mardi Gras is legendary, known worldwide for its grand parades, elaborate costumes, and lively music. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, the season is known as Carnival and begins on 12th Night, January 6th, and extends until midnight before Ash Wednesday. Club, or Krewe, balls start soon after, though most are extremely private, with their Kings and Queens coming from wealthy old families and their courts consisting of the season's debutantes. 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] Mardi Gras 2025 falls on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Mardi Gras Day is March 4, 2025. Fat Tuesday is the last day of the Carnival season as it always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. The official start of Carnival Season is Twelfth Night, January 6. Book your hotel room now and Reserve your Mardi Gras package The largest and most famous Mardi Gras celebration in the USA is in New Orleans, where Fat Tuesday is a legal holiday. NOLA has been celebrating Mardi Gras since the early 18th century and the Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Also known as Carnival or Carnaval, it’s celebrated in The Carnival season will end on Mardi Gras, which is now one week away! From parades to colorful beads and masks, there are dozens of traditions involved in Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday Click on the Mardi Gras krewes below for further information about the krewe and to see their usual route for each parade. Please note: Events and activities are subject to change without notice. Stay tuned to the site for further info. When it comes to festivals that celebrate the spirit of revelry and indulgence, two names stand out: Carnival and Mardi Gras.While both are synonymous with vibrant parades, colorful costumes, and extravagant celebrations, they have distinct origins, traditions, and cultural significance. While Pensacola’s Mardi Gras celebrations date back to 1874, 1900 was the year it found its footing Today, the celebration includes more than 100 krewes and draws more than 100,000 visitors Mardi Gras, also often called Carnival or Carnaval, is celebrated in countries around the world with large Roman Catholic populations. Download USA TODAY's app to get to the heart of news When 12 PM | Pass Christian - St. Paul Carnival Parade 1 PM | Gulfport - Second Street Social Club Parade 1:30 PM | D'Iberville - North Bay Mardi Gras Association Parade. Monday, March 3 5:30 PM | Bay St. Louis - Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse Lundi Gras Parade. Tuesday, March 4, Mardi Gras Note that officially Mardi Gras 2024 takes place on February 13, but the Carnival season begins as early as the first week of January in some locations, with the largest parades and parties happening around the weekend of February 10-11. 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 Mardi Gras is Carnival's grand finale and is the day that ends the festive season. Includes reporting by the USA Today network and Democrat and Chronicle reporter Justice Marbury. The term "Mardi Gras" is commonly used to refer to the entire Carnival season, but Mardi Gras (a.k.a. "Fat Tuesday") is actually just a one day, pre-Lent party. When is Mardi Gras?
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |