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. Stay tuned to Facebook or Instagram for any last-minute weather updates to the schedule. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is quite the spectacle - but there are a lot of hidden secrets and behind-the-scenes magic that bring the celebration to life. Ever wondered what the most coveted throws of Carnival are, or why an array of colorful ladders line St. Charles Avenue? Learn all about Mardi Gras in New Orleans with these 12 fun facts. The first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans, Louisiana. They held a New Orleans Social Clubs or Gentlemen's Clubs play a very large part in the Mardi Gras celebration. The oldest is The Boston Club (third oldest in the United States), founded in 1841 as a place for its members to congregate and partake in the fashionable card game of Boston , Rex Royalty is chosen from among its ranks. To help the city and promote tourism, proclamations of Mardi Gras were posted at train stations throughout the country. Rex commanded his subjects to gather and celebrate Carnival in New Orleans. From there on, Mardi Gras became a sought-after tourist attraction. For more in-depth information on Mardi Gras history and traditions, see here. New Orleans is cranking up the volume for Mardi Gras 2025, and there’s excitement in the air for what is often hailed as the greatest free show on earth. This iconic festival, culminating on Tuesday, March 4, is deeply rooted in Christian and Roman Catholic traditions but has evolved into a secular celebration. Mardi Gras World in New Orleans offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of parade floats, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship involved. In some parts of Louisiana, a rural version of Mardi Gras called "Courir de Mardi Gras" involves participants on horseback going from house to house, collecting ingredients for a communal Eventbrite - Crawl New Orleans presents Official New Orleans MARDI GRAS Bar Crawl 2025 - Monday, March 3, 2025 at Coyote Ugly Saloon - New Orleans, New Orleans, LA. Find event and ticket information. Don't miss the ultimate Mardi Gras experience at The Official Mardi Gras Bar Crawl 2025! Mardi Gras may be an ancient celebration but there's always something new to discover. As the krewes announce their 2025 themes, throws and celebrity monarchs and riders, we'll post that information here 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. Stay tuned to Facebook or Instagram for any last-minute weather updates to the schedule. Mardi Gras Tips from NOLA Locals: What to Know Before You Go Essential Mardi Gras Advice from NOLA Insiders. New Orleans comes alive during Mardi Gras in ways that are impossible to capture until you’ve seen it with your own eyes. Mardi Gras Colors. In 1872, Rex, the king of Carnival, proclaimed the official colors of Mardi Gras to be purple, green and gold. While Arthur Hardy believes they were probably chosen simply because they looked good together, Rex assigned a meaning to the colors in his 1892 parade titled Symbolism of Colors: Purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold signifies power.
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