Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Also known as Carnival or Carnaval, it’s celebrated in The first year that Mardi Gras was celebrated on a grand scale in Galveston was 1871 with the emergence of two rival Mardi Gras societies, or "Krewes" called the Knights of Momus (known only by the initials "K.O.M.") and the Knights of Myth, both of which devised night parades, masked balls, exquisite costumes and elaborate invitations. One of the defining features of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the krewes, or social organizations, that are responsible for organizing the parades, balls, and other events. The first official Mardi Gras krewe, known as the Mistick Krewe of Comus, was established in 1856. This krewe introduced many of the traditions still seen today, including 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. 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. This is also the first recorded account of Mardi Gras "throws." Newspapers began to announce Mardi Gras events in advance, and they even printed "Carnival Edition" lithographs of parades' fantastic float designs (after they rolled, of course - themes and floats were always carefully guarded before the procession). The History of New Orleans Mardi Gras . Although the date of the first organized celebration of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is debatable, the 1730 account of one Marc-Antoine Caillot (a young clerk sent to Louisiana by the French Company of the Indies) mentions a celebration with music and dance, mask-wearing and costumes—including cross-dressing. This year, Mardi Gras will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 in the United States. How is the date of Mardi Gras determined each year? Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” does not fall on the same day every year, but it is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. While Mardi Gras is celebrated around the world, few places are more synonymous with the holiday than New Orleans. The city has been celebrating Mardi Gras since the 18th Century, when the The origins of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras traces its roots to ancient Roman festivals like Saturnalia, which involved feasting and revelry. With the advent of Christianity, these traditions were adapted into Carnival—a period of indulgence before the austerity of Lent. Mardi Gras specifically refers to the day before Ash Wednesday, when people Mardi Gras' origins can be traced back to France and Italy, but today, New Orleans is the largest and most famous place for the event. Is Mardi Gras celebrated in other countries? 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 When was the first Mardi Gras in the U.S. celebrated? The first recorded Mardi Gras celebration in the United States took place in 1699 when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville arrived in present-day Louisiana. Mardi Gras Trivia Questions And Answers The origins of Carnival trace back to ancient times, rooted in pagan festivals that celebrated the arrival of spring. In the 4th century, these festivals were adapted by Christians and “Quand Mardi gras est de vert vêtu, Pâques met des habits blancs.“ (When Mardi Gras is dressed in green, Easter is dressed in white.) “Le soir de Mardi gras, il faut danser sur les fumiers pour avoir des navets.” (On Mardi Gras night, you must dance on the manure to get turnips..) “Mardi gras sous la pluie, l’hiver s’enfuit.” The streets of New Orleans will soon come alive with energy as colorful costumed characters and lively parades wind through the city, their vibrant green and purple floats gleaming in the sun.The air will be thick with the sweet scent of King Cake, the rhythm of jazz spilling from every corner, and the sound of beads clinking in the hands of revelers lining the sidewalks. The origins of the celebration of Mardi Gras in North America can be traced back to France, where it was first observed in the Middle Ages. Fort Louis de la Louisiane, located today in Mobile, was founded in 1702 by French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville 15 years before it first appeared in Louisiana. Every year, the people of Louisiana celebrate Mardi Gras, which is French for "Fat Tuesday." This holiday is the day before Ash Wednesday, and it begins a season of fasting, called Lent, for many Christians leading up to Easter Sunday. Today, Mardi Gras season is a time of merry-making, indulging in good food, dancing, and celebrating. Mardi Gras' origins can be traced back to France and Italy, but today, New Orleans is the largest and most famous place for the event. Is Mardi Gras celebrated in other countries? There will be plenty of parades in New Orleans leading up to Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday. on March 4. in the U.S. although it is celebrated in other cities like Mobile, Alabama, St
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |