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. Wherever you go, you can find the 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: Rooted in French medieval history and brought to Louisiana in the 19th century, Courir de Mardi Gras has many rituals that come together in a celebration on Fat Tuesday. It's commonly referred to as "the real Mardi Gras." The main event in a Cajun Country Mardi Gras is the traditional courir or “run” led by the capitaine of the Mardi Gras Mardi Gras 2024 Packages. Our 2024 tour takes place February 28 - March 5, 2025. Choose a 4 or 5 night stay at one of our featured 4-star hotels. Get out of town Lafayette, Louisiana, is the place to celebrate Mardi Gras, with a packed five-day itinerary from February 28 to March 4, 2025. Highlights include lively parades, Zydeco breakfasts, swamp tours This day of feast commemorates the Three Wise Men’s visit to baby Jesus bearing gifts. It’s also the start of Carnival season and King Cakes, a long-standing Louisiana tradition. History of Mardi Gras in Louisiana. Mardi Gras’ roots trace back to Louisiana’s Spanish and French influences and have evolved over the centuries. The Twin Cities’ Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras parade will celebrate its 42nd year of Mardi Gras tradition and flavor in the Twin Cities in 2025. The Twin Cities' Krewe of Janus Parade has entertained revelers since 1984 who eagerly gather along the 3.8-mile route through West Monroe and Monroe. Ascension Parish Tourism Commission 6967 Highway 22 Sorrento Louisiana 70778 1-888-775-7990 Website Designed and Maintained by New Orleans Website Company - Design the Planet Come catch parade throws and a great time at the Mardi Gras Parade, held the Saturday before Fat Tuesday at 2pm. Saturday Mar 1, 2025 to Saturday Mar 1, 2025 Downtown Leesville New Orleans 2025 Travel and Tour Guide New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana, and one of the most visited cities in the world. It is the locale of the French Quarter (The Vieux Carre), Canal Street, the Garden District, Mardi Gras, and many world-class hotels, B&Bs, vacation rentals and restaurants. Sponsored Content. This article is brought to you by the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission and Louisiana Office of Tourism. Every Mardi Gras season, the people of St. Landry Parish come together to express their resilience and creativity with their vibrant Carnival traditions. Cajun music, cuisine, and chicken runs are an integral part of the festivities surrounding Fat Tuesday in this Sandworms slither through the Krewe of Chubacchus parade on Feb. 1, 2025, to kick off the Mardi Gras season in New Orleans. (Photo credit: Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) Hilferty admitted she’s using Mardi Gras week as an opportunity to travel this year, which is not uncommon for New Orleans natives.
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