Mardi Gras Contest

Who officially runs Mardi Gras in New Orleans?

Mardi Gras is a HOLIDAY, like Christmas. Or Halloween. Anyone can create Mardi Gras events. But the best parts of Mardi Gras are free...

All parades – probably the most recognizable element of Carnival – are held on public streets. There are no ticket booths to enter the French Quarter (although an age restriction would probably be a good idea).

What are the official dates for Mardi Gras?

It is a common misperception that Mardi Gras is the start of a couple of weeks of parading and heavy partying. That’s backward! Mardi Gras is the END, the last day of the partying.

What’s the difference between Carnival and Mardi Gras?

The Carnival season officially begins on Jan. 6 th and continues until midnight of Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras). But « Mardi Gras » is also commonly used to refer to the whole Carnival season. Carnival (carne vale) is Latin for «goodbye meat», i.e. no meat during the 40 days of Lent.

New Orleans, this historically Roman Catholic city, which loves its food and drink more than normal, prepares for the pre-Easter Lent season by partying until the last minute.

How early in the year can Mardi Gras be … and how late?

Backed up 47 days before Easter, Mardi Gras can occur as early as Feb. 3 and as late as March 9.

Why do some people say that the period of Lent before Easter lasts 47 days and others say that it lasts 40 days?

Because in the 40 day period Sundays, Good Friday and the Saturday before Easter are not included.

Is there a lot of nudity during Mardi Gras in New Orleans?

That depends on your definition of « a lot. » Most of all, it depends on where you’re standing. There is certainly SOME nudity during Mardi Gras. In general, it occurs within the French Quarter.

In most places in the city, you are unlikely to see any nudity at all… and if you do, you are likely to see the exposed person in handcuffs a short time later.

Did Mobile, Alabama, or New Orleans have the first Mardi Gras?

Neither !!! Carnival / Mardi Gras is a European import, celebrated long before Columbus.

In fact, long before Europe was Christianized, Carnival was a pagan bacchanalia of drinking and debauchery… which hasn’t changed much. Much of Catholic Europe celebrates Carnival under one name or another, again as a season of partying before Lent.

Is it true that Mardi Gras is really a pagan holiday?

There is no doubt that the period of celebration that we call Carnival has roots in pagan end-of-winter and beginning-of-spring rituals reaching back thousands of years. These festivals existed across most lands that were overtaken by the Christian Church.

What’s the drinking age in New Orleans?

Despite rumors to the contrary, and the number of youngsters who manage to obtain alcohol, the drinking age in New Orleans is 21.

What’s the best way to get colored beads?

The best way to get beads free is to attend Mardi Gras parades. Each float rider has to provide his own « throws », mostly thousands of green, purple and gold beads.

What do the colors purple, green and gold mean?

Purple is for justice, Green for faith and Gold for power.