Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Louisiana. They held a small celebration and dubbed Louisiana was colonized first by the French before it became part of the U.S., and has retained strong French and Cajun culture and traditions, including Mardi Gras. Of the hundreds of Louisiana festivals, none tops Mardi Gras. Spectacular parades, unbelievable costumes, music, dancing, food, drink — take your pick of places to indulge and enjoy. The biggest celebration occurs in New Orleans , but nearly every community in the state has its own version of the annual party. 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: The first recorded celebration of Lafayette Mardi Gras was on February 14, 1869, but the first citywide Mardi Gras observance wasn't until 1897. All parades end at Cajun Field, where the annual Festival de Mardi Gras takes place with carnival rides, live music and more. If you're a master costume crafter, you may want to partake in the Grand Mardi Gras 2025 is Tuesday, March 4. Mardi Gras may be an ancient celebration but there's always something new to discover. As the krewes announce their 2025 Differences get bigger. In Mardi Gras' early days in Louisiana, the differences in the city and rural towns weren't so stark. Between 1700 and 1800s, most celebrations in New Orleans were just 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. 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 1710, the "Boeuf Gras Society" was formed and paraded from 1711 through 1861. In the United States the principal Carnival celebration is in New Orleans, Louisiana.The Carnival season there opens on Twelfth Night (also called Epiphany, which is observed on January 6) and climaxes with the Mardi Gras festivities commencing 10 days before Shrove Tuesday. 2025 mardi gras information Lafayette, LA – Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) is finalizing preparations for the 2025 Mardi Gras season. To ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration, residents and visitors are urged to follow regulations regarding barricades, street closures, parking, and public safety. Tuesday, March 4 – Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade & Mardi Gras Celebration – The Parade runs down E. Landry, turns left on Liberty, and travels back up to Vine Street in Opelousas. 11 a Southwest Louisiana boasts the second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the state. Join us for parades, galas, chicken runs, and more fun. The holiday of Mardi Gras is celebrated in southern Louisiana, including the city of New Orleans.Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (the start of lent in the Western Christian tradition). NEW ORLEANS - FEBRUARY 20: Floats in the Rex parade roll along St. Charles avenue on Mardi Gras Day, February 20, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is the second Mardi Gras celebration since Hurricane Katrina devasted the Gulf Coast region. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images / Getty Images) 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. The Mardi Gras traditions show off New Orleans’ rich culture. Get ready to be wowed by the creativity and passion that make this celebration so special! The Rich History Behind Mardi Gras Celebrations. The history of Mardi Gras is a captivating story that spans centuries and continents. It started as a simple feast before Lent in medieval Europe. La Riviére Children’s Mardi Gras Parade & Chicken Chase. Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. Krotz Springs. Lebeau Mardi Gras Festival & Parade. Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. Lebeau. Sunset Kidz Wagon Parade. Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. Sunset. Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras. March 1 at 3 p.m. Eunice. Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade. March 4 at 11 a.m. Opelousas. Courir de Mardi Courir de Mardi Gras, Eunice, LA Every year down in St. Landry Parish the Courir de Mardi Gras happens in one of the most unique, authentic display of the tradition in the state. It is a true Cajun tradition that is a Fat Tuesday Run though the celebrations often start on Lundi Gras. 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]
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