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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 Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday" is the day before Ash Wednesday. Traditionally in the Roman Catholic calendar, Ash Wednesday is the beginning of 40 days of fasting, prayer, and forgoing of certain luxuries, prior to the Easter holiday. So Mardi Gras is the big festival before everyone settled in for Lent. It’s what St. Louisans who haven’t been to a real Krewe parade and have only been to bourbon street think Mardi Gras is. It’s a street party where the bars set up booths on the curb and people wander from bar to bar. 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 is an integral part of the culture of New Orleans - like Loup mentioned, his mother-in-law participated for more than 50 years. This isn't *just* a big party, it is a cultural event spanning weeks with lots of parades, balls, and other events that go on. However, as Adrienne writes, there is so much information related to Mardi Gras and Carnival, it takes a village to orient a newcomer. Although I have celebrated Uptown (you will become familiar with these terms) more than several times, I bring the perspective of a Carnival visitor from outside of the City and having lodging in the French Have also visited NOLA once during the “first weekend” (sometimes referred to as “ Mardi Gras Lite”), Krewe du Vieux weekend, and Twelfth Night (beginning of Carnival). Even during the “second weekend”, the often photographed shoulder to shoulder mob only occurs within less than 100 feet of portions of St Charles Ave, Canal St, and 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 Learn the lingo: Mardi Gras words you need to know. Wanna walk the walk? Gotta talk the talk! Before we dive in deep, here are words you need to know: Mardi Gras: “Fat Tuesday” in French. Krewe: A themed parade group. There are hundreds—if not thousands—in New Orleans. Namesake krewes of large parades are often made up of many smaller The Mardi Gras season, also known as Carnival, begins on January 6th and ends on March 4th, 2025. The first Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S. took place in 1699, but celebrations were temporarily They have way more Mardi Gras ahead of them, you don't need to give them the beads from the limited number of Mardi Gras years left in your future. The peer pressure cringe. When one person gives the throws they catch to kids then people around them feel bad for not doing the same so then they also give the kids more throws. Go to parades, enjoy mardi gras instead of the french quarter, stay uptown and go to napoleon and st charles and see mardi gras instead of just a bunch of drunk tourists begging for shitty beads. Go to mardi gras and catch the good stuff, see the magnificent floats, and enjoy some red beans at fat Harry's. The right way to do Mardi Gras in St. Louis is to participate in more than just the one Saturday since there are events most weekends from 12th Night (Jan 6) to the Saturday Party Party. Here is a link to the event schedule. I highly recommend going out the weekend before the Mardi Gras Saturday for the Taste of Soulard! NOLA Mardi Gras is great and worth at least experiencing once, but ultimately, the city of New Orleans itself is the real Gem of Mardi Gras. Reply reply MyFace_UrAss_LetsGo Gotta disagree here. Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras Day are the best time to visit Bourbon -- great costumes, lots of people having fun, etc. It usually isn't shoulder to shoulder those days except maybe at night, and in certain 1/2 block areas. Mardi Gras great for kids, Bourbon Street is not. I can understand how a tourist/outside like yourself can think Mardi Gras and The French Quarter/Bourbon Street are one in the same, but the reality is you can experience everything Mardi Gras has to offer and be miles away from the French Quarter. Please, come, bring the fam, have a great time. This is the subreddit for the Greater New Orleans area. This sub is for locals to discuss all things New Orleans. All tourist questions of any type should be asked at r/askNOLA. This year was not fucking it. Do not come to Nola unless you are prepared to deal with the drunkest of the drunk and the shittiest of people. A lot of girls didn’t make it to the end because they were so discouraged for real and honest reasons. All the regular dancers were like WHAT THE FUCK is happening. Mardi Gras was a huge flop this year. You do not need to bring beads. If you’re doing the real Mardi Gras and not the touristy Bourbon St. Mardi Gras, you will catch more beads than you can even carry. Definitely bring costumes! Wigs! Sequins! Fringe! Whatever! Balls areeh. It might be fun if you go with a group of friends, but then you have to figure out how to get a bunch of Short answer: Absofuckinglutely. Mardi Gras is the greatest holiday ever imo and a yearly reminder of why I live here. That said: If you're coming for Mardi Gras, start making plans now. Flights, hotels, restaurant reservations are all gonna be at a premium soon if not already.
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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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