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Although The Big Easy in Louisiana is perhaps best-known for its Mardi Gras revelry, the port city of Mobile, Alabama, founded in 1702 by French settlers, lays claim to being the city that first 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 historians and researchers give the honor of originating Mardi Gras in the U.S. to another southern city: Mobile, Alabama. The festival season varies from city to city; Mardis Gras often refers to the last day of Shrovetide (or Fastelavn or Carnival), thus being synonymous with Shrove Tuesday. [4] Some traditions, such as the one in New Orleans , Louisiana, consider Mardi Gras to stretch the entire period from Twelfth Night (the last night of Christmas which begins 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. History of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras was observed for the first time in the New World by French pioneers at Twenty-Seven Mile Bluff, the first settlement of Mobile way back in 1703. They held a small celebration and dubbed their landing spot Point du Mardi Gras. (Some argue the port city of Mobile, Original Published Date January 25, 2010. Fact Check. 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. Two additional dates of historic importance in New Orleans Mardi Gras lore are 1875, the year the State of Louisiana declared Mardi Gras a legal state holiday, and 1889, the year of the first documented reference of women exposing their breasts at the event, reported by a Times-Democrat reporter who observed, “the degree of immodesty It was the first city to host Mardi Gras in 1703, only a year after the city’s founding by French settlers and at least two decades before New Orleans joined the party. The original home of The Big Easy is almost synonymous with Mardi Gras, but some claim that Mobile, Alabama, hosted the first city-wide event. Whatever the case may be, processions of maskers with carriages and horseback riders were commonplace in New Orleans by the late 1830s. Photo Credit: City of Mobile – Government on Facebook Mobile Mardi Gras 2025 Highlights. Joe Cain Day is a celebration of resilience and joy, with colorful costumes and lively music creating an electric atmosphere in Mobile’s streets. ST. MARY PARISH — Mardi Gras season is in full swing, and the celebrations in Morgan City are drawing large crowds. On Sunday, the city hosted three parades: the Krewe of Galetea, Krewe of Nike Mobile is the birthplace of America's original Mardi Gras. That's right, Mardi Gras originated in 1703 right here in our port city. It was revived after the Civil War when citizen Joe Cain, fed up with post-war misery, led an impromptu parade down city streets. Mardi Gras at MidCity is a pop-up party experience for all ages and furry friends too! Delicious, New Orleans cuisine straight from the French Quarter. Authentic Mardi Gras Beverages. Jazzy and Soulful Live Mardi Gras Music every Thursday-Sunday. Real, over-the-top Mardi Gras Decor by Blaine Kern and Mardi Gras World. Beads galore Mardi Gras MAMBO Sparkle City Sweater From $100.00 Sold Out. Quick view KREWE Quarter Zip Sweater. KREWE Quarter Zip Sweater $95.00 Sold Out . Sold Out. Quick add Mobile is the birthplace of America's original Mardi Gras. That's right, Mardi Gras originated in 1703 right here in our port city. It was revived after the Civil War when citizen Joe Cain, fed up with post-war misery, led an impromptu parade down city streets. The Mardi Gras Celebration will open with food and specialty vendors and children’s activities at 11:00 a.m. There will be two vendor areas again this year so people will have plenty of food, arts and crafts and other specialty items to enjoy before the parade. The Mardi Gras Parade will roll out at 2:00 p.m. from Court Street. Begins on 2nd Street under the La. 182 bridge and proceeds to Onstead Street continuing down Sixth Street to Marguerite Street, Ninth Street/Highway 70, Brashear Avenue onto Victor II Boulevard and ending at the Morgan City Auditorium on Myrtle Street; 7pm. Download the 2025 Mardi Gras Brochure with all the parade routes! JOIN US ON SOCIAL! New Orleans is the most famous city for Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States, but Mobile, Alabama, claims to have the oldest annual Carnival celebration in the country, dating back to 1703. Mardi Gras Traditions. Mardi Gras is known for its unique and lively traditions. 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.
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