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 many areas, however, Mardi Gras has evolved into a week-long festival. Mardi Gras 2025 will fall on Tuesday, March 4. Mardi Gras in New Orleans Came from a Secret Society Mardi Gras is a festive day celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which marks the close of the pre-Lenten season. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent. On March 2, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived at a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans, and named it "Pointe du Mardi Gras" when his men realized it was the eve of the festive holiday. Bienville also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. The History of New Orleans Mardi Gras . Although the date of the first organized celebration of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is debatable, the 1730 account of one Marc-Antoine Caillot (a young clerk sent to Louisiana by the French Company of the Indies) mentions a celebration with music and dance, mask-wearing and costumes—including cross-dressing. 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). The Origins of Mardi Gras. The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced back to ancient Roman festivals, particularly the pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and Lupercalia. These festivals, held in midwinter, were marked by feasting, drinking, and a general sense of chaos and social reversal, during which societal rules were temporarily relaxed. As Now, Mardi Gras always falls on the Tuesday before Lent, but Three Kings' Day (January 6), is both the official end of Christmas and the first day of the Carnival season. The origin of king cakes and the funny baby tradition can also be traced to Saturnalia. There is no pinpointing the origins of the celebration known today as Carnival or Mardi Gras. Indeed, because its most elemental characteristics — drinking and feasting, dancing and music, masks and costumes — extend back into the mists of time, there’s no tidy way to connect the dots between prehistoric cave paintings of dancing stick-like figures wearing animal masks and the modern pre From its European origins to the elaborate krewes [] <p>Every year, as winter fades and spring approaches, the streets of New Orleans explode with color, music, and celebration. Mardi Gras, the grandest festival in Louisiana, is famous for its parades, beads, masked revelers, and deep cultural traditions. 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 Mardi Gras Origin. Mardi Gras is a French term meaning “Fat Tuesday”, referring to the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. Mardi Gras celebrations began in medieval Europe, and the tradition eventually made its way to the French colony of New Orleans. Mardi Gras in New The tradition of Mardi Gras was introduced to New Orleans by French settlers who arrived in the city in the late 17th century. The first recorded Mardi Gras celebration in the city took place in 1699, when French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville arrived at a spot along the Mississippi River that would become New Orleans and held a small celebration to mark the occasion. Penelope Hernandez celebrates along the parade route in the Bastrop Mardi Gras Parade, Feb. 1, 2025. The second annual parade is part of the city's Mardi Gras festival- a cultural exchange with Kingsland Kicks Off the Festivities with the K-BAY Mardi Gras Festival. The Mardi Gras magic commences in Kingsland, just fifteen minutes from downtown St. Marys, with the K-BAY Mardi Gras Festival. This two-day festival on Friday, February 28th, and Saturday, March 1st, is a must-attend event for anyone looking to celebrate Mardi Gras. History of Mardi Gras . Fort Louis de la Mobile, The second annual parade is part of the city's Mardi Gras festival- a cultural exchange with Evangeline Parish, Louisiana celebrating Cajun The Origins of Mardi Gras in France Mardi Gras (literally “Fat Tuesday”) is originally a catholic event that marks the end of the “week of the seven fat days”. They were known as “jours charnels” (meaning carnival) in the old days. Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, marks not only the last day of Carnival but also the last day observants can eat meat and enjoy other indulgences before Lent. "Join us for the vibrant LA Festival de Mardi Gras from February 28 to March 4, 2025, at Cajun Field! Experience lively celebrations, delicious food, and unforgettable entertainment. Don't miss out on the festivities—explore the full schedule and get ready to celebrate!" Often seen as the captivating totems of the festival season, the Indians, also known as the Black Masking Indians, have origins founded in traditions that symbolize a unique connection between
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