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Bienville also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. In 1703, the tiny settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile celebrated America's very first Mardi Gras. In 1704, Mobile established a secret society (Masque de la Mobile), similar to those that form our current Mardi Gras krewes. It lasted until 1709. Every year, as winter fades and spring approaches, the streets of New Orleans explode with color, music, and celebration. Mardi Gras, the grandest festival in Louisiana, is famous for its parades, beads, masked revelers, and deep cultural traditions. In 1875, Louisiana declared Mardi Gras a legal state holiday. [5] War, economic, political, and weather conditions sometimes led to cancellation of some or all major parades, especially during the American Civil War, World War I and World War II, but the city has always celebrated Carnival. [5] Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a sedate French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, [3] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, in the late 17th century, when King Louis XIV sent the pair to defend France's claim on the territory of Louisiane, which included what are now the U.S. states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. 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 By the 1730s, Mardi Gras was celebrated openly in New Orleans. In the early 1740s, Louisiana’s governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, established elegant society balls, which became the model for today’s New Orleans Mardi Gras balls. The earliest reference to Mardi Gras “Carnival” appears in 1781. Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, which takes place March 4, marks the party’s climax and the end of Carnival Season on the Gulf Coast. The conclusion falls the day before Ash Wednesday and is seen as a final day of feasting and revelry before the solemnity of Lent. This practice was brought to Louisiana with French settlers and has since evolved into a cherished custom that defines the basis of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras beads, often referred to as "throws," hold deep cultural significance and are an integral part of the festivities. “The first place names given Louisiana were, appropriately, Pointe de Mardi Gras and Mardi Gras Bayou,” notes Mel Leavitt in his book A Short History of New Orleans. Iberville’s expedition went on to establish settlements at Biloxi Bay (Mississippi) and Fort Louis de la Louisiane (Alabama), located on the Mobile River a few miles upstream Mardi Gras History. Mardi Gras was brought to Louisiana by early French settlers. The first record of the holiday was in Louisiana in 1699. The starting date of festivities in New Orleans is unknown, but an account from 1743 notes that the custom of Carnival balls was already established by that date. The name Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” in French, the last day of feasting before Lent. “Carnival is a time of joyous celebration before the spiritual reflection of Lent.” – Historical Carnival Historian. Journey to New Orleans. French explorers brought Mardi Gras to North America in the late 17th century. Presented by Sactown Mardi Gras, Louisiana Sue's Krewe of Gumbo at Broadway between 21st and 24th Streets, Sacramento CA Mar 01 2025 Free Sactown Family-Friendly Mardi Gras Parade & Party March 1, 2025, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 2020 Broadway While Mardi Gras is celebrated in various forms around the world, it is most famously associated with New Orleans, Louisiana. Over the centuries, Mardi Gras in New Orleans has evolved into a grand and extravagant celebration, deeply rooted in the city’s unique blend of French, African, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures. "Join us for the vibrant LA Festival de Mardi Gras from February 28 to March 4, 2025, at Cajun Field! Experience lively celebrations, delicious food, and unforgettable entertainment. Don't miss out on the festivities—explore the full schedule and get ready to celebrate!" Sponsored Content. This article is brought to you by Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou and the Louisiana Office of Tourism. The magic of Mardi Gras comes alive every year in a parish known as Louisiana Welcome to the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association. For over 90 years, the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association (GSW) has been the heart of Lafayette’s Mardi Gras festivities. Since 1934, we’ve brought safe, family-friendly parades and events to the community, showcasing the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras. While the origins of Mardi Gras can be traced all the way back to Medieval Europe, the tradition of Mardi Gras in New Orleans began in the early 1700s when French explorers brought the celebration to Louisiana. Rooted in French medieval history and brought to Louisiana in the 19th century, Courir de Mardi Gras has many rituals that come together in a celebration on Fat Tuesday. It's commonly referred to as "the real Mardi Gras." The main event in a Cajun Country Mardi Gras is the traditional courir or “run” led by the capitaine of the Mardi Gras Unlike the more commercialized Mardi Gras of New Orleans, Cajun Mardi Gras, or Courir de Mardi Gras, is rooted in old-world traditions brought over from Europe. Participants don elaborate The lobby bar at the Hilton hotel in the nation’s capital is renamed The 65th Parish during Washington Mardi Gras, where scores of Louisiana politicos and officials have gathered Jan. 23-25, 2025, to talk business and celebrate the carnival season.
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