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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 Mardi Gras comes to a close on Tuesday night, and soon, those who celebrate will exclaim “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” or “Let the good times roll” for the last time this Carnival season. 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 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 Zulu and Rex (March 4, Mardi Gras Day): These iconic parades roll back-to-back, marking the grand finale of the Carnival season. What To Eat And Other Things To Consider. No Mardi Gras experience is complete without indulging in king cake, the essential snack of the season. New Orleans Mardi Gras is known for its vibrant food scene. Cajun cuisine is at the heart of the celebration, making every meal unforgettable. You’ll taste the rich flavors of Louisiana’s culture. Unique Mardi Gras customs are celebrated through famous dishes. Gumbo, a seafood stew, is a Creole cooking staple. 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. 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. Why is Mardi Gras celebrated? Mardi Gras is celebrated in many countries around the world, though mainly in places with large Roman Catholic populations. It's believed that Mardi Gras emerged from the wild ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia. These pagan celebrations involved days of feasting, masquerading, dancing, and drinking. What is Mardi Gras and why do we celebrate it? Did you know that Mardi Gras is actually a religious holiday? Mardi Gras, also called Fat Tuesday, is a Christian feast day that occurs during a period of time known as Carnival. Carnival begins on January 6 (known as Epiphany or Three Kings Day) and concludes with Mardi Gras. Try a special king cake cinnamon roll, and—why not—indulge in a Mardi Gras Martini to start the day (or afternoon) off right. Advertising. Tujague's. Photograph: Courtesy Tujague's. The incident was so infamous it generated T-shirts saying things like, “I went to the ’99 Mardi Gras and survived” or “I went to the ’99 Mardi Gras and was maced by the police,” he said. Community groups met for a whole year after that to talk about how to make Mardi Gras safer. Those changes included doing away with the Tuesday Mardi Gras is always a spectacular event in New Orleans, but Mardi Gras 2025 is set to be the most exciting one yet. With brand-new parade themes, more immersive experiences, and a renewed spirit in the city, this year’s celebration will be one for the history books. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Mardi Gras reveler, here’s everything you need to know to make the most First-timers tend to gravitate towards Bourbon and Canal Street, but if you want to be where the locals are (and trust me, you probably do) head Uptown. It’s just as festive but often much more tame and family-friendly. Most parades in Uptown stroll down St. Charles Avenue, so try to find a spot Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a vibrant celebration filled with parades, music, and colorful costumes. But what exactly is Mardi Gras, and why is it celebrated? Mardi Gras marks the last day before Lent, a period of fasting and reflection for many The Origins of Mardi Gras Colors. The history of Mardi Gras colors dates back to the 17th century, when the French and Spanish monarchies ruled over the Americas. During this time, the colors of the French and Spanish royal families became synonymous with the Mardi Gras celebrations. The French monarchy, in particular, played a significant role This celebration of Fat Tuesday will offer king cake and beads — all traditional of Mardi Gras in the French Quarter. Whoever gets the “baby” in a slice of king cake wins a free Hotel Vegas South by Southwest key tag. March 4: Austin Mardi Gras All Stars at C-Boy’s Heart & Soul Bar. Austin Mardi Gras All Stars in downtown South Congress It's a sweet and delicious Mardi Gras tradition. If you’ve ever been to New Orleans or a Mardi Gras celebration, chances are you've seen (or tasted) a king cake—that colorful, sugary pastry Mardi Gras happens every year. It's the day before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday starts Lent for Christians. Lent is when people give things up. Mardi Gras is a big party before that. 'Mardi Gras' is French, and it means 'Fat Tuesday. Individuals tend to consume rich foods during the festival. This is because they will fast throughout Lent. 1. It’s illegal to mount on a parade float without a mask on Mardi Gras. 2. Continuing wearing masks on Ash Wednesday is regarded a rude gesture and a sign of mockery of the Lenten season. Mardi Gras is derived from the French term ‘Fat Tuesday’ which is also known as ‘Shrove Tuesday’ and falls on a Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
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