Although I have never been to New Orleans, it is on my list of places to visit. However, I doubt I would ever consider visiting during Mardi Gras, because it would be too wild and crazy for me.
I don't know much about Mardi Gras except that they eat gumbo and jambalaya, King bread and Po' Boy sandwiches. I also know that the predominant colors are purple, gold, and green. and they wear costumes and have parades!
I did a little research on the history and origins of Mardi Gras.
The first thing I found out is that they take Mardi Gras seriously in New Orleans and most schools and many businesses close for up to 5 days for Mardi Gras. Mardis Gras 2025 is Tuesday March 4!
Mardi Gras, means "Fat Tuesday" in French and is a festive celebration that occurs before the Christian season of Lent. It marks the last day of indulgence and feasting before the 40 days of food restrictions and reflection that are associated with Lent.
Mardi Gras is celebrated in many parts of the world, but the most famous and elaborate celebrations are found in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The History of Mardi Gras
The origins of Mardi Gras date back to medieval Europe, especially in France and Italy, where festivals of excess were held before the deprivation of Lent began.
In the United States, Mardi Gras was brought to the French colony of Louisiana by early French settlers in the 18th century. The first American Mardi Gras celebration occurred in New Orleans in 1837.
Over the years, the holiday grew in popularity and became a symbol of New Orleans' unique cultural blend of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean cultures. Over time, "krewes" (social organizations or clubs) started to form and became a central part of the celebration. These krewes organize parades, balls, and other events, each with their own themes, traditions, and rituals.
How Mardi Gras is Celebrated in New Orleans
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a massive, city-wide celebration lasting for weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.
1. Parades

The most well known aspect of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the parades. These processions are organized by krewes, which are groups that may be dedicated to certain themes, charities, or social causes. Each krewe has its own float, costumes, and traditions.
- The floats are lavishly decorated, and they may feature costumed riders who throw "throws" to the crowds. These can include beads, coins (called doubloons), small toys, and stuffed animals.
- Some parades, like the Krewe of Endymion, Krewe of Bacchus, and Krewe of Zulu, are particularly famous and attract large crowds. Each parade has its own history and style, with the larger krewes being more elaborate and colorful.

2. King Cake ( If you want a Gluten Free King Cake in New Orleans, they sell them Belinda's Bakery.
3. Masquerade Balls

In addition to the parades, many krewes host elaborate masquerade balls. These formal events feature live music, dancing, and spectacular costumes. The masquerade ball is a place for members of the krewes and invited guests to come together, celebrate, and revel in the Mardi Gras spirit. Some krewes are known for having royal courts, with kings, queens, and courts of nobles chosen each year to reign over the festivities.
4. Costumes and Masks

5. Music and Dancing
Jazz can be heard all over the city during Mardi Gras. Brass bands, and street performers are all over during Mardi Gras. There are also street parties and live performances throughout the city, with people dancing in the streets.
**6. The Mardi Gras Indians
A unique feature of New Orleans' Mardi Gras is the Mardi Gras Indians, a community of African-American groups who create intricate costumes influenced by Native American dress and traditions. These krewes are not part of the official parade system but are a cultural tradition with deep historical roots, and they hold their own parades and celebrations.
7. Fat Tuesday
The end of the Mardi Gras season is Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. This is the final day of fun before Lent begins. On Fat Tuesday, the parades reach their peak, with thousands of people in the streets. The day is filled with parties, music, dancing, and of course, King Cake. At midnight, the festive season ends, and New Orleans enters a more solemn period leading into Lent.
Why Mardi Gras is So Special in New Orleans
New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations are unique because they blend local traditions, rich cultural history, diverse communities, and a spirit of fun and excess. The city’s mix of French, African, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures make the celebration feel different from those in other parts of the world. It's a time when people of all walks of life come together to enjoy the music, food, costumes, and parades.
The city's architecture, its vibrant neighborhoods (such as the French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny), and its jazz and brass band music all play into the dynamic and colorful experience of Mardi Gras. It’s a celebration not just of excess and revelry, but also of the resilience and creative spirit of the people of New Orleans.
Have you ever been to New Orleans? Have you been there during Mardi Gras? Would you go ?
Do you do anything special for Mardi Gras?
My 2 kind of Mardis Gras Recipes
Louisiana Creole Rice and Beans
If you wish to visit New Orleans better do it soon. With global sea levels already rising, and accelerating, the city will soon cease to exist and will already be subject to serious periodic flooding within the next few years.
ReplyDeletegood point David.. thanks.
DeleteWe have our carnival here in Köln and we are NEVER a fan.
ReplyDeleteWhere do you live Angie?
DeleteShe says that she lives in Köln, or Cologne in English.
DeleteI was born in Mobile, AL which celebrated Mardi Gras with a parade before New Orleans. We moved to Tennessee when I was 5, but I still remember going to parades.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in New Jersey and we never celebrated or even heard of Mardis Gras until I was in college.
DeleteI've never been to New Orleans, and I would love to go someday. But I'm with you, Mardi Gras would be too much for me. It looks amazing though.
ReplyDeletemardis gras looks like fun but too many crowds and noise for me.
DeleteThe party atmosphere is not for me, but the history and the food quite interesting! Yes a visit would be nice, but I will be going on the "off season". I do look forward to a cup of chicory coffee when I go, with half and half!
ReplyDeleteNew Orleans has rich culture and traditions to be sure. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Thank you for the Creole beans and rice recipe. I am always on the lookout for new bean recipes. Have a great Saturday.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting read and the images are so colourful.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your recipe suggestions.
All the best Jan
My city (St. Louis, Missouri) has a fair-sized Mardi Gras, with several weekends of activities and two parades, but nothing like New Orleans
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I'm not aware if Philadelphia does anything.
DeleteI loved my visit to New Orleans which was before Mardi Gras, but still crowded. I was interested in the Krewe of Zulu, as the Zulu are one of our local tribes in South Africa with their own king.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would love to go as well. Interesting about the crew of Zulu...
DeleteI've never been to Mardi Gras either. Kind of not my thing -- too many people -- but they certainly make everything look fun and jolly. I hope all goes well this year.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is always a concern now a days with any celebration and crowd. Hope all goes well too..
DeleteWe were in New Orleans many years ago. I love the architecture and the food.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would be able to eat much food being gluten-free and vegan.
DeleteThis post was so interesting. Must admit I knew very little about Mardi Gras, and happpy to learn from your post. That red bean and rice creole dish sounds great and some day soon I hope to make it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Nancy- I learned by researching it.
DeleteMy youngest son was quite a "foodie" and once came to me with the request to make jambalaya. It wasn't so successful though. Perhaps I got the spices wrong. I would love those sweet potato fries!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried to make it. I'm not even sure what it is.. I'll have to look up a recipe.
DeleteThese are neat photos! Yes, they really go all out with decorations in New Orleans on Mardi Gras. The colors are so bold and the streets are lively. My daughters both have celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and had a great time! It is a tradition for Nel to make the King Cake every year. My son also makes jambalaya from time to time. If you like to travel, you might enjoy this festive holiday at New Orleans. Thanks for telling us a bit of the history. It was interesting.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
How fun that New make a King Cake each year~I would like to visit one day.
DeleteThank you for sharing these fabulous photos and in depth history of Mardi Gras. I love the fun costumes and masks, these go so perfectly with the fun architecture of the city. I also absolutely adore your cajun fries... hello flavor!!
ReplyDeleteIt is quite festive
DeleteI've never been to New Orleans or celebrated Mardis Gras but it looks like it could be fun. Your beans and rice looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteIt does look like fun= but too wild for me
DeleteI’ve never been to New Orleans, but Mardi Gras sounds like an incredible celebration with so much history and culture. I didn’t realize businesses and schools close for days—what a big event! The King Cake tradition is so fun, and your Cajun recipes sound delicious!
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree and much more history and culture than I ever realized.
ReplyDeletei enjoyed the pictures, the masks are fascinating but i have no desire to visit...it's just not my vibe!!
ReplyDeleteI drove down in 2021 for Mardi Gras and it was shut down still for Covid. They did Yardi Gras though where the floats were placed around the city in people's yards that you could visit all week at your leisure. It was nice getting to go when there were no crowds and no rowdy people, probably a once in a lifetime occurrence. We did eat the gumbo and it was not my cuppa tea. We couldn't find any king cake and that was also disappointing. We did get begneits and those were scrumptious!
ReplyDeleteHey there, just wanted to drop in with some great news, your post is getting featured at SSPS 350! Congrats and thanks for sharing such cool content!
ReplyDelete