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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] 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 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 & 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. On March 2, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived at a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans, and named it "Pointe du Mardi Gras" when his men realized it was the eve of the festive holiday. Bienville also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. 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). What does Mardi Gras mean? Translated to English, "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday." Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and gras means "fat." This name comes from the custom of eating all the fatty, rich foods in the house prior to Lent in order to prepare for fasting and abstinence. So, Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. But Mardi Gras history actually extends all the way back to the days before Christianity in Ancient Rome, and has roots in pagan spring festivals. As with most other holidays with a deep heritage, the traditions and customs of Mardi Gras evolved as it moved through countries, continents, and centuries and became the raucous, joy-filled 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 The floats. The costumes. The parties. The beads. So many beads. Mardi Gras is a long-standing tradition, filled with fun, families and often, a lot of booze.. But there's something really March 4: Austin Mardi Gras All Stars at C-Boy’s Heart & Soul Bar. Austin Mardi Gras All Stars in downtown South Congress includes John Speice, Jimmie Dreams and Paul Deemer. Based in Austin and El Paso, these jazz artists play music on instruments ranging from the drums to the trombone. At this 21-only bar, C-Boy’s Heart & Soul, the BONUS: According to legend, Mardi Gras colors influenced the choice of school colors for archrivals Louisiana State University and Tulane University. They say when LSU was deciding on its colors, the shops in New Orleans had stocked up on purple, green, and gold for the Mardi Gras season. Glass beads did not become a New Orleans Mardi Gras staple until the 1880s, after Anglo-American “krewes” had formed to organize the loose-knit festivities. King Cakes are more than just a tasty treat; they symbolize the spirit of the season and are a fun way for friends and families to come together during Mardi Gras. Why Do We Celebrate Mardi Gras? The celebration of Mardi Gras has evolved over the centuries, but at its core, it remains a celebration of life, community, and indulgence. Originally There’s nothing quite like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. One of the world’s most iconic celebrations – and definitely one of the most well-known experiences in New Orleans – Mardi Gras is a mix of parades, music, food, and local culture that takes over the city for an experience like no other. Photo/Blue Bayou via Facebook. The Blue Bayou is bringing “The Big Easy” to Chicago this Mardi Gras weekend with crawfish, cocktails, and cabaret!. The party kicks off on Saturday, March 1 with a crawfish boil in the afternoon, followed by an official Mardi Gras party and burlesque show in the evening. Beignets have been associated with Mardi Gras in France since at least the 16th century, according to WhatsCookingAmerica.net. Café du Monde in New Orleans, which has been in business since 1862, is a coffee stand famous for its beignets and sells its specialty beignet mix. In fact, beignets are the only food items sold at the coffee shop. There is a Mardi Gras for everyone! To know Mardi Gras is to experience Mardi Gras! My absolute favorite are the walking parades and the magic that is to be found in impromptu moments. - Vivacious Miss Audacious Burlesque Performer and Event Producer, @MissAudacious on Instagram Mardi Gras is an annual pre-Lent celebration and New Orleans tradition. But where did the tradition of flashing for beads at Mardi Gras come from? And then there are those who come for the Big Boite, aka Mardi Gras, perhaps the most debaucherous annual festivity in the nation, when an estimated 1.4 million people let loose. Mardi Gras officially takes place on Fat Tuesday—but the festivities actually begin on the Twelfth Night, January 6, as various krewes (social clubs) put on
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