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 chose the official Carnival colors in 1872; their meanings were assigned in 1892:
Purple
Justice
Green
Faith
Gold
Power
On the route: the unwritten rules
Do
- Stand on the neutral ground (the median) for the calmer, family-friendly side.
- Make eye contact and wave at riders - it works far better than shouting.
- Arrive an hour or two early for the big weekend parades.
- Costume up, especially on Fat Tuesday - the locals do.
Don't
- Expect floats on Bourbon Street - the big parades roll St. Charles, not the Quarter.
- Snatch throws from kids, or dive for them in the street.
- Try to drive or park near the route - walk, or stay within walking distance.
- Cross the barricades or police lines while a parade is rolling.