Carnival Season Begins on January 6th!

Epiphany, on January 6, has been recognized as the start of the New Orleans Carnival season since at least 1900; locally, it is sometimes also known as Twelfth Night. Carnival season is a time for eating, drinking and partying before the 40 days of Lent, characterized by sacrifice and fasting. Carnival is filled with parades, balls, parties and other celebrations culminating in Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday”. Mardi Gras always occurs on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and Carnival ends at midnight on Fat Tuesday, as Lent begins.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of indulging and eating rich foods on the last night before the fasting of Lent begins at midnight, when Ash Wednesday begins. In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is about fun and celebration … parades, floats, people-watching, food, drink, music and all forms of entertainment. Mardi Gras revelers wear wild and crazy costumes and/or traditional colors of purple, green, and gold. Many wear beads caught during parades. Families with their kids are everywhere, and both locals and visitors have a fantastic time. Mardi Gras has been called the party New Orleans throws for itself, and invites everybody else to attend!

Carnival Season Begins on 1/6/2021!

Epiphany, on January 6, has been recognized as the start of the New Orleans Carnival season since at least 1900; locally, it is sometimes also known as Twelfth Night. Carnival season is a time for eating, drinking and partying before the 40 days of Lent, characterized by sacrifice and fasting. Carnival is filled with parades, balls, parties and other celebrations culminating in Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday”. Mardi Gras always occurs on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and Carnival ends at midnight on Fat Tuesday, as Lent begins.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of indulging and eating rich foods on the last night before the fasting of Lent begins at midnight, when Ash Wednesday begins. In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is usually about fun and celebration … it has been called the party New Orleans throws for itself, and invites everybody else to attend! This year the party is subdued, with no parades to avoid large gatherings due to the pandemic. But you can’t break New Orleans’ Mardi Gras spirit! Other forms of celebration have emerged for celebrants to enjoy in safety. Consider checking out Mardi Gras for All, Y’all, Krewe of House Floats, or for more info on how New Orleans is celebrating safely, click here.

Carnival Season Begins on 1/6/2021!

Epiphany, on January 6, has been recognized as the start of the New Orleans Carnival season since at least 1900; locally, it is sometimes also known as Twelfth Night. Carnival season is a time for eating, drinking and partying before the 40 days of Lent, characterized by sacrifice and fasting. Carnival is filled with parades, balls, parties and other celebrations culminating in Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday”. Mardi Gras always occurs on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and Carnival ends at midnight on Fat Tuesday, as Lent begins.

I Wanna Do That!

The move from spectator to participant is a quantum leap. In New Orleans, thousands of people have joyfully made this leap to participate in marching krewes. To document this movement, I Wanna Do That!: The Magic of Mardi Gras Marching Krewes (IWDT) was born. Through IWDT we celebrate the creative impulse that moves someone from the sidewalk and into the street. Their creative team was on the street night and day to capture as much of the phenomenon as possible, photographing and tracking krewes in the 2020 Carnival season. We think marching krewes are extraordinary and believe you will too! I Wanna Do That! is a 9” x 11” hardcover book with 272 pages and 240 color-rich photographs that capture what  Mardi Gras historian Arthur Hardy calls, “the most significant movement in Mardi Gras in decades.” Click on the image for more information & laissez le bons temps rouler!