What is mardi gras

Last updated: April 1, 2026

Quick Answer: Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday," is a vibrant carnival celebration held before Lent, most famously in New Orleans. It features parades, masked balls, music, and street parties with traditions of throwing beads, coins, and cups from decorated floats.

Key Facts

Mardi Gras comes from French and Spanish colonial traditions, dating back centuries in New Orleans
The celebration occurs on the day before Ash Wednesday, varying from February to early March each year
Traditional Mardi Gras colors are purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power), established by the Rex Organization in 1872
The Louisiana state holiday features elaborate parades with themed floats organized by krewes, which are social organizations
Modern Mardi Gras in New Orleans attracts approximately 1-1.5 million visitors annually, generating significant tourism revenue

History and Origins

Mardi Gras has roots stretching back to medieval France and Rome. The celebration traveled to North America with French and Spanish colonists, becoming firmly established in New Orleans in the early 18th century. The first documented Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans occurred in 1703. The tradition evolved from a simple street celebration into the elaborate festival recognized worldwide today, incorporating influences from African, Caribbean, and American cultures.

What Mardi Gras Means

The term "Mardi Gras" translates to "Fat Tuesday" in French, referring to the tradition of eating rich, fatty foods before the austere Lenten season of fasting and sacrifice observed in the Christian calendar. The celebration marks the final day before Ash Wednesday, which begins the 40-day period of Lent. This religious context, while less emphasized in modern celebrations, remains the historical foundation for the festival's timing and traditions.

Traditions and Customs

Modern Mardi Gras celebrations are characterized by distinctive traditions and customs:

Parades: Elaborate processions featuring decorated floats, marching bands, and costumed performers
Throws: Parade participants distribute beads, doubloons, cups, and other trinkets to spectators
Costumes and masks: Masquerade balls and street masking traditions allow revelers to assume alternative identities
Music and dancing: Jazz, zydeco, and brass band music soundtrack the festivities
Food and drink: King cakes, beignets, jambalaya, and specialty cocktails are consumed throughout the season

The Krewes

Krewes are the organizations that design, build, and operate the elaborate parade floats. These social clubs range from traditional, invitation-only krewes to community-based organizations. The oldest krewes include the Mistick Krewe of Comus (founded 1857) and the Rex Organization (founded 1872). Krewes often choose themes for their annual parades and select royalty, including a King and Queen, to reign over their events. This structure has become central to organizing the Mardi Gras festivities.

Modern Celebrations Beyond New Orleans

While New Orleans hosts the most famous Mardi Gras celebration, other cities observe the tradition. Mobile, Alabama, has hosted Mardi Gras celebrations since 1703. Galveston, Texas, celebrates with parades and festivals. Even international cities with historical connections to French, Spanish, or Catholic traditions, such as Venice, Italy, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, observe carnival celebrations with similar themes of masquerade, music, and revelry during the pre-Lenten period.

Related Questions

Why is Mardi Gras celebrated before Lent?

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) traditionally precedes Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent, a 40-day Christian period of fasting and penance. The celebration allowed people to indulge in rich foods and festivities before the austere Lenten season.

What is the difference between Mardi Gras and Carnival?

Carnival is the overarching season of celebration preceding Lent, typically lasting several weeks, while Mardi Gras specifically refers to Fat Tuesday, the final day before Lent begins. Mardi Gras represents the climax of the carnival season. In New Orleans, the carnival season technically runs from January 6th (Epiphany) through Fat Tuesday, making Mardi Gras the culminating celebration. Other cities use the terms interchangeably, but technically Mardi Gras is a single day while Carnival is a season.

What do the Mardi Gras colors represent?

The official Mardi Gras colors are purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). These colors were established by the Rex Organization in 1872 and have remained the standard colors for decorations, beads, and costumes throughout the celebration.

What is the significance of masks at Mardi Gras?

Masking traditions originated in 18th-century Europe as a way to allow social classes to mix anonymously during carnival celebrations, temporarily suspending rigid social hierarchies. In New Orleans Mardi Gras, masks became integral to krewe identity and costume traditions, with each organization developing distinctive masking styles. Masks enabled people to participate in celebrations while maintaining privacy, though masking is now more about tradition, costume aesthetics, and krewe identity than genuine anonymity. Modern masking practices represent a continuation of centuries-old carnival customs that emphasized temporary role reversal and social freedom.

When is Mardi Gras celebrated each year?

Mardi Gras is celebrated on the day before Ash Wednesday, which varies annually based on the Easter calendar. The date falls between February 3 and March 9, with the exact date changing each year according to Christian liturgical traditions.

How much do Mardi Gras parades cost to attend?

Street-side viewing of Mardi Gras parades is completely free—spectators line public streets to catch throws and enjoy the parade procession at no cost. Premium viewing experiences including bleacher seating and private event access cost $50-$200. High-end masquerade balls and krewe-exclusive events cost $200-$500 per ticket. Most visitors experience Mardi Gras through free street viewing, though some purchase bleacher seats or ball tickets for enhanced experiences. The free parade access democratizes Mardi Gras, allowing residents across economic backgrounds to participate.

What happens on Fat Tuesday and what makes it different from other Mardi Gras days?

Fat Tuesday features the largest and most elaborate parades, with Rex and Zulu krewes marching on this day specifically. The entire city shuts down for what many consider the climactic celebration, with maximum parade frequency, street closures, and visitor attendance. After midnight, businesses close and Mardi Gras officially ends, transitioning into Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season. Fat Tuesday represents the final day of indulgence before 40 days of Lenten fasting and spiritual focus. Earlier parade days showcase individual krewe traditions, but Fat Tuesday itself epitomizes the carnival experience.

What is the history of king cake and why is it eaten during Mardi Gras?

King cake traditions date to medieval Europe, where the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6th) commemorated the Three Kings' visit to Jesus. European bakeries created special cakes containing hidden objects (eventually a small figurine) representing the tradition. The person receiving the hidden object was declared 'king' of the celebration, maintaining centuries-old role-reversal carnival traditions. New Orleans adopted king cake as a Mardi Gras tradition during the French colonial period, and approximately 460,000 cakes are consumed annually during the carnival season. The tradition combines religious observance with playful social participation.