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Mardi Gras

Melissa Klein
Celebrations Editor

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Ring in spring with a fun and festive Mardi Gras celebration this year. Mardi Gras celebrations date back to 1699 in America, most notably in the Gulf States. This grand party in the Southern region, especially in the city of New Orleans, is attributed to the French heritage and influence felt there.

A Christian festival, Mardi Gras takes place 47 days before Easter Sunday, always falling between February 3rd and March 9th. Literally translated, Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" in French, and the name comes from the tradition of slaughtering and feasting on a fattened calf on the last day of Carnival.

Though less known, 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 and a period of fasting begins.

This year, 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 crafty Mardi Gras bead ideas to themed cocktail recipes and lots of fun history, we have plenty of ideas to make your Mardi Gras celebration a fun time for all.

Tradition

10 Ways New Orleans Celebrates Mardi Gras

New Orleans is without a doubt the city to celebrate Mardi Gras in the United States. Much of the party there draws on traditions influenced by the French and Cajun cultures making for a glamorous and uninhibited festival. Check out how the soulful city celebrates here. Read More

Spicy, sweet, with a hint of zest, this hot cocktail recipe is perfect for a Mardi Gras celebration at home. If you can't get to New Orleans to party this Fat Tuesday, our sweet Cajun cocktail is a good second option! Read More

Craft

DIY Beaded Candle Holders

Find you've got a lot of those beaded necklaces left over every year after you celebrate Mardi Gras? Whether you purchase yours or work for 'em, we've got a crafty way to repurpose these bright plastic beads and make them part of your home decor all season long! Read More

Tip

Wondering What to Wear to a Mardi Gras Party?

There's no better Mardi Gras party than the festival in New Orleans, but no matter where you're celebrating this year you better dress the part! Depending on the intensity of your get-together you'll want to decide on how far out to go, but rest assured, a mask is a must! 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 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

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

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

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