10 Facts You Should Know About Mardi Gras Before You Celebrate
Wait, Mardi Gras didn't actually start in New Orleans?
Whether you've celebrated Mardi Gras before or not, you've at the very least heard about the centuries-old tradition. It has French roots and ties to the Christian faith at its core, but it has become so much more of a cultural spectacle over the years. Every year, millions of people head down south to New Orleans, Louisiana to take part in the festivities. And with it comes a celebration of the city's vibrant food scene.
Vibrant costumes, ornate floats, and big parades are a staple of the party that take place between early January to Ash Wednesday (which falls in either February or March depending on the year). This year, Mardi Gras falls on February 13.
Whether you're booking a flight to Louisiana this year or planning to celebrate Mardi Gras at home, we've rounded up some of the most iconic traditions and fun facts that make the holiday so special.
And of course, the holiday wouldn't be the same without enjoying some of the most iconic foods. We've already rounded up some of the best king cakes you can get delivered to your house. But if you're in the mood to make it from scratch we have our very own recipe too. And to take your celebration to the next level, check out our favorite Mardi Gras appetizers, desserts, and cocktails.
Mardi Gras season and Carnival are the same celebration and they both last for weeks.
Mardi Gras, the French term for "Fat Tuesday," refers to the last day of Carnival celebration that starts either on or after Three King's Day on January 6. The celebrations last through Ash Wednesday in the Christian faith, with the big celebration day—Fat Tuesday—falling on February 21 this year.
Mardi Gras colors are purple, green, and gold.
The official colors are said to have been chosen after the Rex Parade theme song "Symbolism of Change" came out in 1892. Purple symbolizes justice, green represents faith, and gold is for power.
There are more than 70 different groups, or "Krewes," that are involved in the celebration of Mardi Gras.
Krewes are social organizations that host parades or balls for the Carnival season. Each krewe chooses a theme, designs a float, and oftentimes features a celebrity guest. Krewe members also throw favors like beads or coins into the crowd from the floats, per tradition.
Every year, one person is named as "The King of the Carnival" and gets a key to the city.
The king is chosen by the Krewe of Rex as an honor of distinction and the mayor presents the newly minted king with a symbolic key to the city.
The King Cake, one of the foods characteristic of the celebration, has a religious backstory.
The history of the king cake dates back centuries and the treat gets its name from the biblical story of the kings bringing baby Jesus gifts right after his birth. The cake itself is fried and doughy and is decorated with purple, gold, and green sprinkles. Oftentimes, for good luck, the king cake will have a tiny baby figurine on the inside and whoever gets the cake slice with the toy will have good fortune.
If you're not up to making your own, check out our picks for where to buy a king cake.
Mardi Gras is rarely cancelled.
Once Mardi Gras became an annual celebration around 1857, there were only few times it was cancelled. Many of the cancellations came as a result of the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and Hurricane Katrina. In 2021, the festivities were adjusted to be as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first Mardi Gras actually wasn't celebrated in modern day New Orleans.
It's believed that Mardi Gras was first celebrated in North America in 1699 when a French-Canadian explorer named Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville had a small gala about 60 miles away from what is now known as New Orleans. Years later, French soldiers and settlers celebrated Mardi Gras by wearing masks and eating in the city now known as Mobile, Alabama.
Pancakes are actually a good food to eat to honor the holiday.
Historically, prior to Lent (which starts right after the Carnival season ends), Christians would try and use up all of their eggs, milk, and butter before the fasting season in the United Kingdom. The Tuesday before Lent, known as Shrove Tuesday, was full of feasts that included rich foods like pancakes and crepes to use up those ingredients.
Mardi Gras might have a relation to Pagan holidays, too.
Some believe that Mardi Gras has roots in Pagan holidays like Saturnalia and Lupercalia, which celebrate spring and fertility.
Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans typically attract hundreds of thousands of people.
On average, it is estimated that about 1.4 million people visit New Orleans throughout the Carnival season leading up to Mardi Gras.
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