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The first record of Mardi Gras being celebrated in Louisiana was at the mouth of the Mississippi River in what is now lower Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, on March 2, 1699. Iberville, Bienville, and their men celebrated it as part of an observance of Catholic practice. The date of the first celebration of the festivities in New Orleans is unknown. And, in the U.S. although it is celebrated in other cities like Mobile, Alabama, St. Louis, Missouri, Gavelston, Texas and cities throughout Louisiana, it's most famously celebrated in New Orleans 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 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: Mardi Gras Past and Present Traditions from the past that live on today. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in New Orleans since the explorer Iberville first set foot here on Mardi Gras Day 1699. In French colonial days, wealthy members of Creole society threw lavish Mardi Gras balls from Twelfth Night (Jan. 6) to Fat Tuesday Eve. New Orleans is cranking up the volume for Mardi Gras 2025, and there’s excitement in the air for what is often hailed as the greatest free show on earth. This iconic festival, culminating on Tuesday, March 4, is deeply rooted in Christian and Roman Catholic traditions but has evolved into a secular celebration. New Orleans was established in 1718 by Bienville. By the 1730s, Mardi Gras was celebrated openly in New Orleans, but not with the parades we know today. In the early 1740s, Louisiana's governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, established elegant society balls, which became the model for the New Orleans Mardi Gras balls of today. Click here to learn about the history of Mardi Gras and the celebrations in New Orleans. New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 800-672-6124. Follow #VisitNewOrleans. Mardi Gras revelers greet a float from the Zulu parade at the corner of St. Charles and Canal Streets in New Orleans, La., on Mardi Gras day Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1997. (AP Photo/Andrew J. Cohoon, File) Read More 4: When was the first Mardi Gras? The first Mardi Gras parade was held in New Orleans on Feb. 24, 1857 by the Krewe of Comus. They began the tradition of presenting a parade with floats and following it with a ball for the krewe and their guests. Mardi Gras Dates. 5: What is the significance of the Mardi Gras colors, and where did they come from? Endymion Extravaganza, New Orleans, LA One of the world’s biggest indoor parties, the Endymion Extravaganza is the only party held in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome during Mardi Gras. Over 20,000 people dress up in formal gowns, tuxedos, and suits to take part in this Mardi Gras main event. 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, was originally a French Catholic celebration which has a long-lasting history in the formerly French-owned territory of Louisiana. The first Mardi Gras parade in the United States was believed to be in 1837 in New Orleans, but the tradition quickly spread throughout the southern regions of the state and beyond. New Orleans was established in 1718 by Bienville. By the 1730s, Mardi Gras was celebrated openly in New Orleans, but not with the parades we know today. In the early 1740s, Louisiana's governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, established elegant society balls, which became the model for the New Orleans Mardi Gras balls of today. St. Louis holds the No. 1 spot as the best place to celebrate Mardi Gras outside New Orleans, even though it has only been doing so since 1980. St. Louis has a strong French heritage, having been Mardi Gras in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. VISIT THE NORTHSHORE/FACEBOOK. St. Tammany Parish is only about an hour from New Orleans' famed French Quarter, but this charming waterfront community doesn't let that stop it from throwing a Mardi Gras celebration that rivals the Big Easy. 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. Why does New Orleans celebrate Mardi Gras? Answer: Mardi Gras, in the Catholic tradition, is the last chance to indulge before Lent, a 40-day period of sacrifice leading up to Easter. Mardi Gras Here are all of the details for the Krewe of Iris Parade that rolls in New Orleans, Louisiana for 2025 Mardi Gras. See the date, time, parade route and more. Known as the "King of Carnival," Rex is responsible for the official Mardi Gras colors — purple, green and gold — and is one of the most prestigious krewes in New Orleans. The Krewe of Zulu marched in Mardi Gras as early as 1901 and offers one of the most sought-after Mardi Gras throws — the Zulu coconut or the “Golden Nugget.” The
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