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The seven symbols for Mardi Gras are king cakes, Mardi Gras masks, parades, Mardi Gras throws, the fleur de lis, Mardi Gras beads, and the official colors of Mardi Gras. Head to our Mardi Gras symbols guide for an in depth look at the history and meanings behind the symbols of Mardi Gras . In 1984, Mardi Gras World was created as a tourist attraction to provide visitors a behind-the-scenes look of our work. Widely successful, the attraction draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. 9:00AM - 5:30PM • 7 days a week; 504-361-7821; info@MardiGrasWorld.com; Book Group Tour 1. Mobile Is The Birthplace Of Mardi Gras. First things first: The beloved tradition was actually born in Mobile, Alabama, though many associate it with New Orleans. Mobile first celebrated Mardi Gras in 1703, with the party really heating up in 1831. Mardi Gras is still a huge event in Mobile, with dozens of balls and parades every year. 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 Mardi Gras is a mesmerizing blend of history, spirituality, and unfettered joy, affording a unique view into the diversity of human celebration, from its medieval European origins to modern-day international gatherings. Here are some fascinating facts regarding Mardi Gras’s history. 1. Mardi Gras (UK: / ˌ m ɑːr d i ˈ ɡ r ɑː /, US: / ˈ m ɑːr d i ɡ r ɑː /; [1] [2] also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the final day of Carnival (also known as Shrovetide or Fastelavn); it thus falls on the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. [3] That’s why, to really prep you for the holiday, we’re here with a host of need-to-know Mardi Gras facts. (The date for Mardi Gras 2025 is later this year, so there’s really no excuse for not getting up to speed!) Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” a pretty-spot on name for the last event of Carnival season before heading in to 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. The History of New Orleans Mardi Gras . Although the date of the first organized celebration of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is debatable, the 1730 account of one Marc-Antoine Caillot (a young clerk sent to Louisiana by the French Company of the Indies) mentions a celebration with music and dance, mask-wearing and costumes—including cross-dressing. 1918-1919 - Mardi Gras parades and balls are canceled due to World War I and the influenza pandemic. 1941 - Venus is the first all-female krewe to parade in New Orleans. A Brief History of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” marks the final day before the Christian season of Lent begins. Its origins date back thousands of years, to ancient Roman festivals like Saturnalia and Lupercalia, which celebrated fertility, spring, and abundance. Mardi Gras Around the World. While most famous in New Orleans, Mardi Gras is celebrated in various forms around the globe. Each location adds its unique twist to the festivities. In Rio de Janeiro, it's called Carnival and is famous for its samba schools parading through the Sambadrome. 1918-1919 – Mardi Gras parades and balls are canceled due to World War I and the influenza pandemic. 1941 – Venus is the first all-female krewe to parade in New Orleans. Mardi Gras is a festive holiday that is celebrated in many countries around the world, most notably in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. The name “Mardi Gras” is French for “Fat Tuesday,” and it refers to the day before the Christian season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. NOW OPEN! Tickets $29.95 for admission for adults $24.95 for children ages 2-12 $24.95 for military and seniors Buy tickets today! Hours of Operation Mardi Gras World is open 7 days a week, from 9:00am to 5:30pm, Read more > In 2025, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, March 4. Mardi Gras—just one of the festival’s many names—is marked by raucous parties and parades, revelers wearing elaborate costumes, and delicious Mardi Gras World is open 7 days a week, from 9:00am to 5:30pm, with the first admission beginning at 9:00am and last admission at 4:30pm. Mardi Gras World is closed on Christmas and Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving, Easter and Mardi Gras Day. For directions, visit our Getting Here page > 1918-1919 – Mardi Gras parades and balls are canceled due to World War I and the influenza pandemic. 1941 – Venus is the first all-female krewe to parade in New Orleans. Our hour-long tour gives visitors an insider’s view of how Mardi Gras is made and includes a video on the history of Mardi Gras. Take the opportunity to dress like a Mardi Gras float rider. Come get a behind-the-scenes look as we build our props and floats for next year’s parades. Mask-Making. Explore the artistic side of Mardi Gras! Mardi Gras World offers mini float building activities for groups. Float building is where we got our start more than 60 years ago, so let us share some of our tricks of the trade. Participants in our team building activity have the opportunity to tour our float-building warehouse and work with colleagues to create a mini float of their own.
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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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