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U.S. Travel — Louisiana
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Attractions
Mardi Gras
— Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Mardi Gras
Every year, revelers flock to New Orleans' French Quarter to experience Mardi Gras madness — Carnival season is "One Big Party" of parades, masquerade balls, music and festive street celebrations. Although Mardi Gras is celebrated around the world, no one does it like New Orleans.

It's easy to get into the party spirit — just don a Mardi Gras mask and wear anything "purple, green and gold." Accessorize with long colored beads — catch the colorful "parade throws" from riders in passing floats... it's a New Orleans tradition.

Upcoming Mardi Gras Dates
Mardi Gras always falls on a Tuesday. Dates vary from year-to-year — it's dependent upon the date of Easter Sunday. Mardi Gras is always the day before Ash Wednesday. Here's a list of future Mardi Gras dates:

2014 — March 4
2015 — February 17
2016 — February 9
2017 — February 28
2018 — February 13
2019 — March 5
2020 — February 25
2021 — February 16
2022 — March 1

NOTE: Mardi Gras is one of the most intense, crowded events you could possibly find on this Earth, so if you don't like crowds, you might want to visit New Orleans at another time. FYI... Halloween is also FUN and exciting, but very intense and crowded too!

The French Quarter —
Bourbon and Royal Streets
The French Quarter —
Bourbon and Royal Streets

Mardi Gras World
Floats and Magic Behind Mardi Gras
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World

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New Orleans Sightseeing Tours

FUN Mardi Gras
"Blinking" Pins
Check out these FUN "Blinking" Pins for your next Mardi Gras Party!
Shop for FUN "Blinking"
Mardi Gras Pins

Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana

Fat Tuesday
Mardi Gras is also referred to as "Fat Tuesday" — "Gras" is French for "Fat" and "Mardi" is French for "Tuesday."

Carnival Season
vs Mardi Gras
Most locals in New Orleans refer to Mardi Gras as the whole Carnival Season — visitors tend to refer to "Fat Tuesday" as Mardi Gras.

Carnival season (Mardri Gras Balls and Parades) typically starts in January/February and runs for about two weeks, ending at midnight on Fat Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday.

Why Purple, Green & Gold?
The official Mardi Gras colors were selected back in 1872 by Rex, the King of the Carnival. They represent the following:

Purple = Justice
Green = Faith
Gold = Power

Fun Mardi Gras & Lundi Gras Celebrations during Carnival Season
Enjoy a variety of Fun Mardi Gras Parades and celebrations throughout New Orleans' Carnival season.

Super Krewes
— "Super Parades"
Super Krewes (or Super Parades) are the largest Mardi Gras Parades in New Orleans — defined by their spectacular super-floats, marching bands and celebrity Grand Marshalls.

Three popular Super Krewes that take place during Carnival Season in New Orleans include:

Krewe of Endymion
Krewe of Bacchus
Krewe of Orpheus

More Info on Super Krewes
Mardi Gras Super Krewes

Mardi Gras Celebration
Mardi Gras Celebration
Mardi Gras Guide

Mardi Gras Parade
The first Mardi Gras parade
was held in New Orleans on February 24, 1857.
Mardi Gras Parade Schedule

Zulu Lundi Gras Festival
Zulu Lundi Gras Festival

More Info on Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras Info