The Carefree Traveller
Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana
Since 1699, Mardi Gras has been celebrated in cities worldwide. But no
one does it better than New Orleans.
Mardi Gras officially starts at Twelfth Night (Epiphany), which occurs 12
days after Christmas on January 6th. Besides the introduction of the
King Cake, there are several celebrations around the city. Selected by
Rex in 1872, the official Mardi Gras colors are purple representing
justice; green representing faith; and gold representing power.
Mardi Gras Day (Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday) is the last day of the
Mardi Gras Carnival season. Mardi Gras day falls on a different calendar
date each year. It is always on a Tuesday 46 days before Easter.
There is no general theme for Mardi Gras. Each individual parade
depicts a specific subject. The floats reflect the krewe's theme for that
year.
The themes depicted by the nearly 2,000 Mardi Gras parades staged in
New Orleans since 1857 have ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime.
Among the more popular subjects have been history, children's stories,
legends, geography, famous people, entertainment, mythology and
literature.
The colorful worlds of Greek, Roman and Egyptian mythology are the
sources of nearly half of the area's krewe names. Some clubs are
named after the neighborhoods through which they travel, while others
are named after historical figures or places.
Carnival clubs (krewes) are chartered as non-profit entities. They are
financed by dues, by the sale of krewe-emblemed merchandise to the
members and by fund-raising projects such as bingos. Most Mardi Gras
krewes are also actively involved in charitable work.
Almost all Carnival parades follow a standard format, with the captain
appearing at the head of the procession, next come the officers, the
king or queen, and in some parades, the maids and dukes, followed by
the title float and the floats that carry riding members.
Local parish ordinances dictate that the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade
season officially begin on the second Friday before Shrove Tuesday.
During the 12-day period leading up to Mardi Gras, nearly 70 parades
are held in the four-parish area of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and
St. Tammany.
Baubles have been tossed off floats since 1871, when a masker
costumed as Santa Claus the Twelfth Night Revelers parade dispensed
gifts to the crowd.
The method of selecting Mardi Gras royalty varies from krewe to krewe.
Rex, the King of Carnival is chosen by the inner circle of the School of
Design, the sponsoring organization for the Rex parade. Some krewes
hold random drawings to pick their king or queen. Most clubs charge the
selected monarch a fee to reign. In several of the newer krewes,
elaborate ceremonies called "coronation balls" have supplanted the
tableau ball in importance and in grandeur.
Super-krewes such as Bacchus, Endymion and Orpheus, scheduled for
the three nights before Shrove Tuesday, annually invite guest
celebrities to ride in their parades. Some of the more popular stars to
have appeared are Bob Hope, Dolly Parton, Wayne Newton, John
Goodman, Jackie Gleason, Dennis Quaid, Kirk Douglas, Harry Connick Jr.
and the Beach Boys.
one does it better than New Orleans.
Mardi Gras officially starts at Twelfth Night (Epiphany), which occurs 12
days after Christmas on January 6th. Besides the introduction of the
King Cake, there are several celebrations around the city. Selected by
Rex in 1872, the official Mardi Gras colors are purple representing
justice; green representing faith; and gold representing power.
Mardi Gras Day (Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday) is the last day of the
Mardi Gras Carnival season. Mardi Gras day falls on a different calendar
date each year. It is always on a Tuesday 46 days before Easter.
There is no general theme for Mardi Gras. Each individual parade
depicts a specific subject. The floats reflect the krewe's theme for that
year.
The themes depicted by the nearly 2,000 Mardi Gras parades staged in
New Orleans since 1857 have ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime.
Among the more popular subjects have been history, children's stories,
legends, geography, famous people, entertainment, mythology and
literature.
The colorful worlds of Greek, Roman and Egyptian mythology are the
sources of nearly half of the area's krewe names. Some clubs are
named after the neighborhoods through which they travel, while others
are named after historical figures or places.
Carnival clubs (krewes) are chartered as non-profit entities. They are
financed by dues, by the sale of krewe-emblemed merchandise to the
members and by fund-raising projects such as bingos. Most Mardi Gras
krewes are also actively involved in charitable work.
Almost all Carnival parades follow a standard format, with the captain
appearing at the head of the procession, next come the officers, the
king or queen, and in some parades, the maids and dukes, followed by
the title float and the floats that carry riding members.
Local parish ordinances dictate that the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade
season officially begin on the second Friday before Shrove Tuesday.
During the 12-day period leading up to Mardi Gras, nearly 70 parades
are held in the four-parish area of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and
St. Tammany.
Baubles have been tossed off floats since 1871, when a masker
costumed as Santa Claus the Twelfth Night Revelers parade dispensed
gifts to the crowd.
The method of selecting Mardi Gras royalty varies from krewe to krewe.
Rex, the King of Carnival is chosen by the inner circle of the School of
Design, the sponsoring organization for the Rex parade. Some krewes
hold random drawings to pick their king or queen. Most clubs charge the
selected monarch a fee to reign. In several of the newer krewes,
elaborate ceremonies called "coronation balls" have supplanted the
tableau ball in importance and in grandeur.
Super-krewes such as Bacchus, Endymion and Orpheus, scheduled for
the three nights before Shrove Tuesday, annually invite guest
celebrities to ride in their parades. Some of the more popular stars to
have appeared are Bob Hope, Dolly Parton, Wayne Newton, John
Goodman, Jackie Gleason, Dennis Quaid, Kirk Douglas, Harry Connick Jr.
and the Beach Boys.
Is this your year to visit Mardi Gras?
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New Orleans Power Pass™
Your New Orleans Power Pass™ gets you into
attractions such as Audubon Aquarium of the
Americas, Entergy IMAX Theatre, Steamboat
Natchez, Hurricane Katrina Tour, Longue Vue
House and Gardens and more - it's like having a
ticket to everything!
More Details and Buy Now
Your New Orleans Power Pass™ gets you into
attractions such as Audubon Aquarium of the
Americas, Entergy IMAX Theatre, Steamboat
Natchez, Hurricane Katrina Tour, Longue Vue
House and Gardens and more - it's like having a
ticket to everything!
More Details and Buy Now
New Orleans MealTicket™
This is your ticket to the best restaurants in New
Orleans!Your New Orleans MealTicket™ includes
meals at the following restaurants Bubba Gump
Shrimp Company, Dixie Roadhouse, Louisiana
Pizza Kitchen and many more.
More Details and Buy Now
This is your ticket to the best restaurants in New
Orleans!Your New Orleans MealTicket™ includes
meals at the following restaurants Bubba Gump
Shrimp Company, Dixie Roadhouse, Louisiana
Pizza Kitchen and many more.
More Details and Buy Now
New Orleans' Cajun Bayou Tour
Welcome to Cajun Country, the heart of French
culture in Louisiana. Discover the history of the
Cajun people, then board a boat for a 1 1/2
hour tour of the Bayou. For a unique tour with a
little dash of Cajun spice - look no further!
More Details and Buy Now
Welcome to Cajun Country, the heart of French
culture in Louisiana. Discover the history of the
Cajun people, then board a boat for a 1 1/2
hour tour of the Bayou. For a unique tour with a
little dash of Cajun spice - look no further!
More Details and Buy Now
Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise
The Steamboat Natchez is as famous as New
Orleans herself. Enjoy an evening of Dixieland
Jazz and casual dining aboard this historic
paddlewheeler!
More Details and Buy Now
The Steamboat Natchez is as famous as New
Orleans herself. Enjoy an evening of Dixieland
Jazz and casual dining aboard this historic
paddlewheeler!
More Details and Buy Now
Oak Alley Plantation Tour
Feel the gentle breeze of southern hospitality
on a tour that takes you back to a time of mint
juleps, gracious living and the glory of the Old
South. 4.5 hour tour of the stunning Oak Alley
Plantation, built over 165 years ago.
More Details and Buy Now
Feel the gentle breeze of southern hospitality
on a tour that takes you back to a time of mint
juleps, gracious living and the glory of the Old
South. 4.5 hour tour of the stunning Oak Alley
Plantation, built over 165 years ago.
More Details and Buy Now
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Accomodations:
Hotels
Resorts & Spas
Vacation Home & Villas
Vacation Packages
Car Rentals
Travel With Pets
Specialty Travel
Tours
Festivals & Special Events
Travel Insurance
Travel Planning
Destinations
Travel Guides
Maps
Travel Store
Resources
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Contact Us
Mardi Gras Dates:
2011 March 8
2012 February 21
2013 February 12
2014 March 4
2015 February 17
2016 February 9
2017 February 28
2018 February 13
2019 March 5
2020 February 25
2011 March 8
2012 February 21
2013 February 12
2014 March 4
2015 February 17
2016 February 9
2017 February 28
2018 February 13
2019 March 5
2020 February 25
MARDI GRAS CALENDAR DATES
When you're ready for the big experience,
you'll need to know when it will be! The big
day can fall on any Tuesday between
February 3 and March 9. Carnival celebration
starts on January 6, the Twelfth Night (feast
of Epiphany); and picks up speed until
Midnight on Mardi Gras, the day before Ash
Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday is always 46 days before
Easter and Fat Tuesday is always the day
before Ash Wednesday. Easter can fall on
any Sunday from March 23 to April 25 with
the exact date to coincide with the first
Sunday after the full moon following a Spring
Equinox!
If you're still confused, get out that calendar
with the printed holidays on it--it's the day
before Ash Wednesday!
When you're ready for the big experience,
you'll need to know when it will be! The big
day can fall on any Tuesday between
February 3 and March 9. Carnival celebration
starts on January 6, the Twelfth Night (feast
of Epiphany); and picks up speed until
Midnight on Mardi Gras, the day before Ash
Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday is always 46 days before
Easter and Fat Tuesday is always the day
before Ash Wednesday. Easter can fall on
any Sunday from March 23 to April 25 with
the exact date to coincide with the first
Sunday after the full moon following a Spring
Equinox!
If you're still confused, get out that calendar
with the printed holidays on it--it's the day
before Ash Wednesday!
MARDI GRAS COLORS
The Meaning and Origin of Purple,
Green, and Gold in Mardi Gras
Rex selected the official Mardi Gras
colors in 1872.
The 1892 Rex Parade theme
Symbolism of Colors gave meaning to
the colors:
Purple represents justice
Green represents faith
Gold represents power
The Meaning and Origin of Purple,
Green, and Gold in Mardi Gras
Rex selected the official Mardi Gras
colors in 1872.
The 1892 Rex Parade theme
Symbolism of Colors gave meaning to
the colors:
Purple represents justice
Green represents faith
Gold represents power
Tips and Recommendations:
Plan ahead: Most of the Central
Business District and French Quarter
hotels require 4 or 5-day minimum
stays, and they steadily book blocks of
rooms beginning in August. Make your
reservations early! Hotels are often
solidly booked by December, so
reserve ahead of time
Don't wait until January! Waiting to
make reservations usually isn't a good
idea if you have definitely decided to
enjoy Mardi Gras in New Orleans. You
might get lucky, but there is no
guarantee. If you'd like to gamble, and
do not want to reserve the minimum
night stay required at our hotels, you
can wait until those hotels who have
not sold out relax their minimum night
stay requirements. But there is no
guarantee this will happen. You
definitely don't want to come to New
Orleans looking for a room.
Plan ahead: Most of the Central
Business District and French Quarter
hotels require 4 or 5-day minimum
stays, and they steadily book blocks of
rooms beginning in August. Make your
reservations early! Hotels are often
solidly booked by December, so
reserve ahead of time
Don't wait until January! Waiting to
make reservations usually isn't a good
idea if you have definitely decided to
enjoy Mardi Gras in New Orleans. You
might get lucky, but there is no
guarantee. If you'd like to gamble, and
do not want to reserve the minimum
night stay required at our hotels, you
can wait until those hotels who have
not sold out relax their minimum night
stay requirements. But there is no
guarantee this will happen. You
definitely don't want to come to New
Orleans looking for a room.
Plan your transportation! If you are
driving in for the day from a suburban
hotel, remember that the French
Quarter during Mardi Gras weekend is
closed to vehicular traffic. Only French
Quarter residents and hotel guests
with special parking passes can get by
the police barricades. Off-site
commercial parking lots are expensive
and fill up fast, so get there early!
Make sure you know how far away
your hotel will be ... and remember:
taxicabs are more difficult to find at
this time of year.
It is a good idea to get a map of the
city, and study the areas you'll be
visiting. New Orleans is a "checker
board city"--safe neighborhoods can
be within blocks of unsafe areas. Your
hotel concierge or front desk can help
you with route times, traffic and
parking.
If you stay in an outlying hotel, don't
depend on them to supply you with
transportation to the French Quarter
or the parade routes. Although some
have shuttles to New Orleans, they
are often not in use during Mardi Gras
season. Traffic during Carnival is
unbelievably congested, and standard
routes are often barricaded to redirect
the traffic flow
driving in for the day from a suburban
hotel, remember that the French
Quarter during Mardi Gras weekend is
closed to vehicular traffic. Only French
Quarter residents and hotel guests
with special parking passes can get by
the police barricades. Off-site
commercial parking lots are expensive
and fill up fast, so get there early!
Make sure you know how far away
your hotel will be ... and remember:
taxicabs are more difficult to find at
this time of year.
It is a good idea to get a map of the
city, and study the areas you'll be
visiting. New Orleans is a "checker
board city"--safe neighborhoods can
be within blocks of unsafe areas. Your
hotel concierge or front desk can help
you with route times, traffic and
parking.
If you stay in an outlying hotel, don't
depend on them to supply you with
transportation to the French Quarter
or the parade routes. Although some
have shuttles to New Orleans, they
are often not in use during Mardi Gras
season. Traffic during Carnival is
unbelievably congested, and standard
routes are often barricaded to redirect
the traffic flow
New Orleans Garden District Ghost Tour
Explore the darker side of the Antebellum
section of New Orleans. Hear eerie tales of
ghostly manifestations, along with the legends
and the folklore that make this tour a "must do"
while visiting New Orleans.
More Details and Buy Now
Explore the darker side of the Antebellum
section of New Orleans. Hear eerie tales of
ghostly manifestations, along with the legends
and the folklore that make this tour a "must do"
while visiting New Orleans.
More Details and Buy Now