New Orleans Mardi Gras Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
celebration held in Louisiana USA
About New Orleans Mardi Gras
The festival is rooted in the ancientEuropeanCarnival traditions. It marks the final celebrations before the period of fasting during Lent in the Roman Catholic Religion, although New Orleans Carnival is enjoyed by people of any belief. For locals, "Mardi Gras" strictly speaking is only the last and biggest day of the Carnival season, "Fat Tuesday". Visitors less clear on this distinction sometimes call the whole New Orleans Carnival season "Mardi Gras". The final big day is thus sometimes called (redundantly) "Mardi Gras Day". After spotty earlier festivities, parades roll most nights starting 2 weekends before Mardi Gras. Things kick into high gear the weekend before Mardi Gras, when the population of New Orleans more than doubles (book a room well in advance!). There's an all day party
New Orleans Mardi Gras Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 6 sections including: