Ready in a little over 30 minutes, these bites are the easiest way to add the fancy factor to any Mardi Gras party. Get the Crab Cake Bites recipe. 2 Cornbread-Stuffed Mussels. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, filling foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Try these festive Mardi Gras appetizers before the fasting begins! Make prepping for a Mardi Gras trip easier by already knowing what to bring. A Festive Costume. Mardi Gras celebrations are replete with fantastical costumes. Anything goes here — and we do mean anything — but if donning an extravagant ensemble isn’t your thing, wear the traditional Carnival colors of purple, green and gold to fit right Serve this muffuletta-style olive spread with crackers, cheese, and deli meat to create the ultimate Mardi Gras charcuterie board. "A nice addition to a pasta salad, a cheese board, or spooned on to grilled fish, pork, or chicken," recipe creator lutzflcat says. If you’re wondering what to bring to a Mardi Gras party, let’s first remember why we’re celebrating. People ring in the holiday (which, fun fact, is a legal holiday only in Louisiana) on the Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday as a way to close out the pre-Lenten season. Celebrate Mardi Gras with the best flavors of New Orleans! From classic red beans and rice to rich crawfish étouffée, spicy boudin, and sweet treats like pralines and beignets, these Mardi Gras food ideas bring the party to your kitchen during Carnival and Fat Tuesday. Po' boys have been a Mardi Gras staple since the early 1900s. This shrimp po' boy recipe from Grandbaby-cakes also shows you how to make a side of remoulade sauce. They're easy to make, easy to eat, and sure to be a delicious hit at your Mardi Gras party. 2. Jambalaya. Photo: Gimmesomeoven.com A Mardi Gras packing list so you can do New Orleans in style Doing Mardi Gras as smoothly as local New Orleanians is virtually impossible, but that doesn’t mean you have to go in unprepared! So you’re not caught as off guard as I was, here’s the perfect Mardi Gras packing list for your undoubtedly hedonistic celebrations in one of the Beads and Accessories: No Mardi Gras outfit is complete without a plethora of beads. These iconic accessories are thrown from parade floats and are a favorite souvenir among revelers. Make sure to pack a variety of bead necklaces to wear and share with others during the celebration. Mardi Gras Masks: Masks are a must-have accessory for Mardi Gras. Balloons, streamers and confetti are great Mardi Gras decorations, but you can keep it as simple or go as over-the-top as you like. The colors of Mardi Gras are green, purple and gold, so festive decorations in that color scheme are lovely and on theme. Have fun! Garnish foods with Mardi Gras party cake toppers. Little bags of confetti are Look for a Mardi Gras piñata at your local party store. Use one of these Mardi Gras DIY centerpieces to decorate your table. Don’t forget the staple of any good Mardi Gras event: bead necklaces. The metallic necklaces are a staple at Mardi Gras parades, and your family will love layering them on. What to Serve at Your Mardi Gras Party. Taste If you're looking to get creative with your Mardi Gras foods, try Ree Drummond's twist on Cajun pasta or whip up some Mardi Gras desserts like the spritz cookies that look like mini king cakes. And while Mardi Gras falls on March 4 in 2025, you can also enjoy these delicious New Orleans-inspired dishes for your family dinners all year long. Throw on the hat, sunglasses or scarf (or all three) with any outfit to instantly look more festive. Grab a pack of custom Mardi Gras cups from The Keeping Room or a soy candle from The Sanctuary for the hostess (or yourself). Hover over the image below to get all the details on these Mardi party essentials. Consider them a Mardi Gras offering. Costumes Are Encouraged (and Sometimes Required) If you’re not in a wig, sequins, or at least a feather boa, are you even doing Mardi Gras right? And on Mardi Gras day wear a heavy coat, shorts, tank top and sneakers because the weather changes from winter wonderland to summer by noon.- Tamsy Kambi Mardi Gras is many things—it is a costume party, a sea of drunken indulgence, a pleasant family picnic on the neutral ground, a roving high school band concert, a Christian holiday. Mardi Gras is the greatest party on earth and a trip to New Orleans during the Carnival season should be on every person's bucket list. Some people bring huge trash bags, others just bring a plastic grocery bag, and then there are people who have customized Mardi Gras Bags. Anything will work to bring to the parade to carry your loot, but remember, the bigger the bag, the more stuff you will have to bring back to your car or hotel. If you’re wondering where to stay, where to party, or just more about Mardi Gras krewes and traditions, then be sure to read my Guide to Mardi Gras Carnival, New Orleans. Mardi Gras Tips Get to the parades early – Some people take the parades seriously and set up chairs, coolers, and nets to catch the throws. Spice up your Mardi Gras party with a Bloody Mary bar! This DIY cocktail bar lets your guests' creativity flow, all while sipping on the delicious Southern staple. Set up a spread of your favorite Bloody Mary mix, zesty Worcestershire sauce, vodka, and a rainbow of garnishes—from crunchy pickles and spicy jalapeños to crispy bacon and celery From the Recipe Creator: I make a soup every year for Mardi Gras. I came up with this recipe because I wanted to use lots of vegetables to keep it healthy, but wanted it to be interesting. My wife suggested adding the andouille and now it’s one of my favorite Mardi Gras recipes. —Steven Thurner, Janesville, Wisconsin March 4 is Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday), the last day of Carnival season just before Lent, which is the 40-day period during which many people spend in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Naturally
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |