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Though pre-Lenten Mardi Gras balls and parties were held in New Orleans as early as the mid-1700s, the first documented parade in the city did not occur until 1837. This first parade more resembled a procession of revelers in costume than it did the large, organized parades of today. Mardi Gras is about music, parades, picnics, floats and excitement. It's one big holiday in New Orleans! Revelers know to wear costumes or at least dress in purple, green, and gold, and adorn themselves with long beads caught from the floats of previous parades. Mardi Gras History and Traditions Learn about the famed celebration's cultural roots and traditions. Mardi Gras is so much more special when you understand what you’re celebrating and what each tradition means to the generations of parade-goers who have stood on parade routes before you. New Orleans Mardi Gras traditions. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is more than just a party—it’s an unforgettable experience that draws a staggering 1.4 million visitors each year. The History & Traditions of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in Louisiana since the 18th century, brought by French settlers. Today’s traditions stem from European carnival customs mixed with local culture, creating a uniquely New Orleans spectacle. 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 In 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived at a plot of ground 60 miles south of New Orleans and named it “Pointe du Mardi Gras,” recognizing the eve of the festive holiday. Over the following decades, the traditions of Mardi Gras were further shaped by the influences of French and Spanish settlers. New Orleans was established in 1718 by Bienville. By the 1730s, Mardi Gras was celebrated openly in New Orleans, but not with the parades we know today. In the early 1740s, Louisiana's governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, established elegant society balls, which became the model for the New Orleans Mardi Gras balls of today. Mardi Gras Past and Present Traditions from the past that live on today. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in New Orleans since the explorer Iberville first set foot here on Mardi Gras Day 1699. In French colonial days, wealthy members of Creole society threw lavish Mardi Gras balls from Twelfth Night (Jan. 6) to Fat Tuesday Eve. The holiday of Mardi Gras is celebrated in southern Louisiana, including the city of New Orleans.Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (the start of lent in the Western Christian tradition). Mardi Gras Indians: The Warriors of Black Mardi Gras. Another unforgettable Black Mardi Gras tradition comes from the Mardi Gras Indians. These groups, known as “tribes,” date back to the late 19th century. Their traditions honor the historic bond between Black people and Native Americans. The Art of the Mardi Gras Indian Suit Many believe that throwing a Mardi Gras mask into a fire at the end of the festival releases bad energy and ensures a fresh start. North Side Skull and Bone Gang: A Wake-Up Call. Dating back to 1819, the North Side Skull and Bone Gang is one of New Orleans’ oldest Mardi Gras traditions. “A Krewe is more than an organization – it’s a family of celebration and tradition” – New Orleans Carnival Expert. Exploring mardi gras krewe traditions shows a world of social networking and pride. Krewes pick a theme each year and spend a lot on costumes, floats, and balls. This ultimate guide explores Mardi Gras New Orleans 2025, from dazzling Mardi Gras Parade celebrations to sweet King Cakes. Dive into parades, balls, local traditions, and tips for an unforgettable Carnival journey. Let the spirit of “Fat Tuesday” ignite your New Orleans adventure! Now! The heavenly treat of New Orleans, king cakes pack flavor and Carnival history all in one delicious bite. Dive into Mardi Gras king cake tradition with New Orleans & Company. Everything you need to know about Mardi Gras, including updated parade routes, traditions, the best places to get Mardi Gras beads, masks, king cakes and more! 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 in New Orleans: what to eat, drink and do. Carnival season includes a variety of festivities and traditions—elegant balls, colorful parades, king cake, costumes—that rival any The all-male krewe has been staging Mardi Gras events in New Orleans since 1872 and are the ones who started the tradition of using the holiday’s famous colors: yellow, purple, and green. Floats in the Oaks photo courtesy of Missy Fields Dalton Mardi Gras 2021 will go down in history as the year New Orleanians came together and turned a sow’s ear into a paper mache purse&helli
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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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