Mardi Gras 101

New Orleans has celebrated Carnival since 1699. "Mardi Gras" is French for "Fat Tuesday" - the last day of feasting before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

Carnival is the season; Mardi Gras is the day

The biggest point of confusion: Carnival is the whole season, beginning on Twelfth Night (January 6). Mardi Gras is the single climactic day - February 9 in 2027. The large parades cluster in the final week and a half.

Krewes and parades

Parades are staged by krewes - private clubs funded by their members. The city only provides permits and safety. Krewes range from centuries-old old-line organizations (Rex, Proteus) to the giant modern "super krewes" (Endymion, Bacchus, Orpheus) and small satirical walking krewes.

Throws, masks, and balls

Riders toss throws - beads, doubloons, and prized catches like the Zulu coconut - to the crowd, for free. Costuming and masking are encouraged, especially on Fat Tuesday. Many krewes also hold formal balls, some private, some with public tickets.

Most of it is free

Every street parade is free to watch. Your costs are lodging, food and drink, and optional extras like reserved grandstand seats or balcony spots. That is the whole secret: Mardi Gras is free, but doing it well takes a little planning.

The colors

Rex assigned the official Carnival colors and their meanings in 1872: