Despite what you might have heard, Mardi Gras actually is a family-friendly event. Image courtesy of Mills Baker via Flickr. 2. Carnival Veterans Go Long, Not Hard. Given that Mardi Gras is the culmination of a month-long party, any skillful local will avoid drinking the whole keg in a single night. Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana is an iconic celebration that welcomes nearly 1.5 million visitors each year, so it’s no surprise that planning your first visit to this world-famous holiday can be quite the daunting task. We had the joy of visiting our first Mardi Gras in 2023 and came up with a list of the top things that we think every Mardi Gras goer could benefit from knowing before Mardi Gras isn't the time to hold back and throw on jeans and a t-shirt. It might even be time to go on a shopping spree. Have fun with it. Where to stay during Mardi Gras. If it's your first Mardi Gras, you're likely going to want to be in the middle of all the action — as you should be. The season, which represents a time of celebration before Christian Lent, lasts until Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras Day, is March 4, 2025. Between January 6 and March 4, enjoy parades, king cake, community celebrations, and more. For a list of future Mardi Gras Day dates, see here. Where in New Orleans can I experience Mardi Gras? What happens in Mardi Gras in New Orleans? The lowdown on what to expect. Mardi Gras is all about fun, vibrancy, and celebration. All you need to do is look at some of the famous Mardi Gras photos to tell that! But what actually happens during Mardi Gras in New Orleans? Mardi Gras in New Orleans is arguably the best party you'll find in the United States. Every year over a million people travel to New Orleans to join in the fun during Carnival season, which begins on January 6, known as Epiphany or Twelfth Night, and lasts until Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday." First-Timers New Orleans Mardi Gras Guide. Mardi Gras, which means “Fat Tuesday” in French, is a carnival celebration that takes place in many parts of the world, but is especially famous in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. The festival is held annually on the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Christian season of – What is Mardi Gras – Mardi Gras is the last Tuesday (also known ‘Fat Tuesday’) before Ash Wednesday when Lent begins. There are celebrations for weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday known as Carnival. Krewes (pronounced the same way as “crews”) are the organizations that put on parades and balls throughout Carnival season. In our latest travel vlog as we venture to the Big Easy, providing a firsthand perspective of what to expect during Mardi Gras in New Orleans (NOLA). Immerse Mobile still holds Mardi Gras celebrations throughout the year (and has an excellent Mardi Gras museum), but New Orleans has definitely eclipsed Mobile as the US capital of Mardi Gras now. Jess and I have seen Mardi Gras parades in various cities and states across the South including Baton Rouge, Mobile, Navarre and New Orleans. Mardi Gras Bar Crawl: Kick off Mardi Gras festivities with the exciting Mardi Gras Bar Crawl on Saturday, February 22, 2025. Starting at 4 PM, this high-energy celebration takes revelers on a thrilling journey through Atlanta’s hottest bars and venues, each bursting with carnival-themed fun. Tags: Mardi gras galveston, Galveston safety measures, Galveston mardi gras security, Galveston road closures, Galveston police presence, Galveston emergency plans, Galveston historical marker LAFAYETTE PARISH — The Carencro Mardi Gras parade is set to roll on Saturday, February 15th. The Carencro Mardi Gras Association recently shared an update on social media, outlining some key This weekend, thousands will flock downtown for the Spanish Town Mardi Gras Parade. Expect a sea of pink flamingos, tons of mischief and a few risque moments as the krewes roll this Saturday, March 1. Starting at noon, a collection of marching groups and around 75 floats will travel along Spanish Town Road. Things wrap 7:00 p.m. George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Honoree Parade Following the George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Presentation, this is the first parade to Kick Off Mardi Gras Galveston 2025! This parade is packed with marching bands, dancing squads & tons of energy. The official dates for the Sydney Mardi Gras 2025 festival season will be February 14, 2025, to Sunday, March 2, 2025 The Mardi Gras season kicks off with Fair Day, which will be held on Sunday, February 16. The parade and official after-party are confirmed to be on Saturday, March 1. Bacchus Bash (March 2, 2025): Krewe of Bacchus throws a big all-day Mardi Gras block party on Super Sunday (the Sunday before Mardi Gras) featuring live music, DJs, and VIP open bar ticket options to celebrate their historic parade. Pricing ranges from $75-600. Experience Mardi Gras in Pagedale with a tent party atmosphere. Rain or shine, festivalgoers can come together in a spacious tent to enjoy live music, food and drinks. When: March 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. What to expect: Admission is $10 and includes full in-and-out access. Drinks are available for purchase from Drink House STL; explore food Mardi Gras is back at Universal Studios Florida and is packed with fun, food, and entertainment for its 30th anniversary. This popular event is included with park admission and celebrates the international flavors of Carnival with food, music, parades, and a lot of beads. Don’t plan on vacationing in New Orleans during Mardi Gras unless you are coming specifically for Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is also the worst time to experience the "real New Orleans" as the entire city is centered around the parades. Most restaurants and attractions will be closed and there will be insanely long wait times for the ones that are
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