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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 Whether you celebrate Mardi Gras for its connection to Christian traditions, its cultural significance, or simply for the fun and revelry, it remains an enduring and beloved festival. In places like New Orleans, Mardi Gras has become a symbol of the city’s identity, representing unity, diversity, and the joy of living life to the fullest. As What does Mardi Gras mean? Translated to English, "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday." Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and gras means "fat." This name comes from the custom of eating all the fatty, rich foods in the house prior to Lent in order to prepare for fasting and abstinence. So, Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. 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. At the heart of it, Mardi Gras is also a Christian holiday traced to pagan spring and fertility rites dating back thousands of years that has become a popular cultural phenomenon worldwide. And although Mardi Gras is today most closely associated with New Orleans, Louisiana, it is observed in hundreds of cities in more than fifty countries. Mardi Gras, also called Fat Tuesday, is a Christian feast day that occurs during a period of time known as Carnival. Carnival begins on January 6 (known as Epiphany or Three Kings Day) and concludes with Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is a day of extravagant feasts and partying that occurs the Tuesday before Lent begins. Mardi Gras, a bit like Easter and Christmas, is disputed in its Christian origins. Like there are “pagan” elements to both Christmas (Christmas trees) and Easter (the Easter bunny), Mardi Gras can most directly trace its roots to pagan celebrations of spring time and fertility. Mardi Gras Indians may be one of the most mysterious aspects of New Orleans Mardi Gras, particularly for visitors to the city. Tribes were formed by African American communities who were excluded from traditional parades and krewes, and they typically poke fun at krewe royalty and governing structures. 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. French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville arrived in what is now modern day Mobile, Alabama on Fat Tuesday, 1699. He named the location Point du Mardi Gras and threw a little party. 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. 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. 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 2025 Mardi Gras season is just beginning, and Coastal Mississippi is packed full of fun parades and events perfect for incoming visitors. Come along with us as we celebrate the Carnival season! Laissez les bon temps rouler –– "Let the good times roll!" BONUS: According to legend, Mardi Gras colors influenced the choice of school colors for archrivals Louisiana State University and Tulane University. They say when LSU was deciding on its colors, the shops in New Orleans had stocked up on purple, green, and gold for the Mardi Gras season. Friday, Feb. 28 – Tuesday, March 4 – Le Festival de Mardi Gras à Lafayette – Cajun Field, Lafayette.Carnival rides and games, live music, food vendors, and parades roll through the festival Take your burdens to the Mardi Gras Let the music wash your soul You can mingle in the street You can jingle to the beat of the jelly roll Tumba, tumba, tumba, Mardi Gras Tumba, tumba, tumba, day Mm----- The Mardi Gras Punch is a bold and flavorful party drink, perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras with a crowd. Inspired by the classic Hurricane, this punch blends light and dark rum with vibrant citrus flavors and passion fruit juice, creating a rich, tropical base with just the right amount of tartness and sweetness. Mardi Gras Season Starts Here! Jan. 6. BOS Family Winter Carnival and Shoebox Float Gallery. JAN 18. February Fords Gin Scavenger Hunt. FEB. 8. Cajun Cook-Off. FEB. 15. Run For Your Beads 5K. FEB. 22. Verizon Taste of Soulard. FEB. 22-23. Purina Pet Parade. FEB. 23. Tito’s Vodka Wiener Dog Derby. FEB. 23. Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball. FEB. 28 LOUIS: Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse Lundi Gras Parade, 5:30 p.m. Bay St. Louis Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse Parade Route for 2025 (WLOX) Tuesday, March 4 - Mardi Gras. BAY ST. LOUIS: Krewe of Real People Parade, 1 p.m. The Krewe of Real People Next Generation Parade Route for 2023 (WLOX) BILOXI: Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras Parade
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