At a Glance
- Louisiana residents gear up for 43 days of Carnival season with feasting, king cakes, 80+ parades and 15 million throws.
- Mardi Gras falls Feb 17.
- Carnival begins Jan 6 (Epiphany) and ends with Fat Tuesday.
- Why it matters: The celebrations bring millions of visitors, boost local economies, and preserve cultural traditions.
While many across the country are trimming their holiday decorations, Louisiana is turning up the heat for a week-long carnival that blends feasting, music, and colorful parades.
What Is Carnival?
Carnival is rooted in Christian and Roman Catholic traditions, marking feasting and revelry before Ash Wednesday and Lent. It is a pre-Lenten season that culminates on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The celebration attracts more than a million visitors to New Orleans each year.
- Feasting and drinking
- Opulent balls
- Massive parades
- Costumed revelry
Carnival Calendar
Carnival starts on Jan 6, known as Epiphany or Twelfth Night, and ends on Feb 17, making the season 43 days long.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Start | Jan 6 |
| End | Feb 17 |
| Duration | 43 days |
The date of Fat Tuesday varies each year, falling between Feb 3 and Mar 9, but this year it is on Feb 17.
King Cake & Parades
The season’s culinary highlight is the king cake, a ring-shaped brioche filled with fruit or cream cheese and studded with a tiny plastic baby. Whoever finds the baby is expected to buy the next cake or host the next party. Bakers have introduced creative twists, such as boudin-filled versions and sushi-roll cakes.
Parades are the crown jewels of Carnival, with more than 80 parades in and around New Orleans. They feature marching bands, costumed dancers, and multi-level floats, ranging from a shoe-box float to a 3,200-rider spectacle. The Endymion krewe, the largest parade, tosses over 15 million throws-beads, candy, doubloons, and even painted coconuts-under the motto “Throw ’til it Hurts.”
Other Traditions
In central Louisiana, the Courir de Mardi Gras involves masked participants who beg for ingredients, chase live chickens, and gather for a communal gumbo. In New Orleans, African American Mardi Gras Indians don elaborate beaded suits and perform music and dance, a tradition that dates back to the late 1800s and reflects a history of segregation and cultural homage.
Key Takeaways
- Carnival spans 43 days from Jan 6 to Feb 17.
- New Orleans hosts 80+ parades and 15 million throws.
- Traditions include king cakes with hidden babies, the Courir de Mardi Gras, and Mardi Gras Indian performances.
Louisiana’s Carnival season blends food, music, and history, inviting locals and visitors alike to celebrate a vibrant cultural legacy.
