Mardi Gras
Ring in spring with a fun and festive Mardi Gras celebration this year! Mardi Gras dates back to 1699 and is attributed to Louisiana's French heritage and takes place 47 days before Easter Sunday, always falling between February 3rd and March 9th.
Mardi Gras literally means "Fat Tuesday" in French, the name comes from the tradition of slaughtering and feasting on a fattened calf on the last day of Carnival. The day is also known as Shrove Tuesday (from to shrive, or hear confessions) or Pancake Tuesday because the custom of making pancakes comes from the need to use up fat, eggs and dairy before Lent.
Next Mardi Gras will be on February 21, 2012!
So break out your party beads and cloak your house in dark purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). Pull out you jazz collection – you can check out New Orleans Brass Band music or Zydeco – and let the fun begin.
From masks to Oysters to the King Cake finale, we have plenty of ideas to make your Mardi Gras Party a sure hit. Read up on the history and traditions of this fun holiday and see all our ideas on how to put together the best party of your own!
Tradition
Mardi Gras Timeline
Mardi Gras is an American celebration older than the US itself! Dating back to the 1600s, when Pierre Le Moyne declared his camp, Pointe du Mardi Gras, this party is steeped in French-American history. See our timeline for a helpful overview of events. Read More
Tradition
Mardi Gras Defined
In a town famous for its French Quarter and Bourbon Street, for hot Cajun cuisine and cool jazz, one event eclipses them all as the city's most celebrated centerpiece...Mardi Gras. It's a time when people of all types come together for one gigantic party. But there's a lot more to Mardi Gras than just the unabashed indulgence. So before you don your beads and party, here's a primer on the Fat Tuesday festivities. Read More
Tradition
Mardi Gras Masks: History & Scandal
What is the Deal with those masks? The truth may surprise you! Mardi Gras and Masks didn't always go hand-in-hand. Variations of Mardi Gras have been going on in other continents for centuries. Read more to see how the masks add an element of fun and mystery to ancient and modern day celebrations! Read More
Tradition
The History of the King Cake
Want a tastier piece of this history lesson? How about the origins of the King Cake? This fun dessert dates back to New Orleans in the late 1800s and had hidden meaning and hidden treasure. Let the this fun tradition take center stage at your next Fat Tuesday meal. Read More
Tip
Mardi Gras Menu Tips
And now for the rest of the meal. There are plenty of delicious dishes to choose from when creating your Mardi Gras Menu and check out these tips to make sure yours is a feast fit for the gods. Bottom line: make sure there is plenty to go around and seafood is king! Read More
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