Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility. When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders decided to incorporate the popular tradition into the new faith, so the excess and debauchery of the Carnival season became a prelude to Lent, the 40 days of penance between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Mardi Gras marks the final day of feasting and revelry before the fasting, prayer and moderation of Lent. So, in its most basic form, Carnival and Mardi Gras is all about overindulging. The first Carnival season made its way to the United States via the French. Many historians say the first American Mardi Gras was on March 3, 1699, when French explorers Bienville and Iberville landed in Louisiana. As the years passed, the holiday became more lavish -- and more festive. The first recorded New Orleans Carnival parade occurred in 1827, when a group of students in colorful costumes danced through the streets. In New Orleans today, the early weeks of Carnival are marked with elaborate balls. These balls, which are invitation-only, celebrate the chosen royalty for each krewe, or private club, and also serve as a "coming out" for the season's crop of debutantes, the daughters of the city's social scions. The final weeks, mainly the two leading up to Mardi Gras, are packed with street parades featuring bands, marching groups and large floats packed with costumed riders throwing beads and other trinkets to the masses in the streets. Weekly king cake parties are held in neighborhoods, schools and offices. By Ash Wednesday, New Orleanians are back at work, albeit a little sluggishly.

The Carnival season always begins on Jan. 6, which is King’s Day (Feast of the Epiphany). Mardi Gras day (Fat Tuesday), however, is on a different day each year. Fat Tuesday changes every year because Easter Sunday is never on the same Sunday each year. Fat Tuesday is always the day before Ash Wednesday. Most visitors plan to arrive no later than the Saturday prior to Mardi Gras day and stay through Ash Wednesday. Check out our dates page to see when Fat Tuesday will fall through the next few years.

The colors traditionally associated with Mardi Gras in New Orleans are purple, green, and gold. The colors were first specified in proclamations by the Rex organization during the lead-up to their inaugural parade in 1872, suggesting that balconies be draped in banners of these colors.

The Carnival is FREE!

The weather during Mardi Gras can vary from very cold to very warm, almost hot. Sometimes it will change from one extreme to the other during the same day. It’s a good idea to layer your clothes since a chilly morning may turn into a warm afternoon. Since you will be spending long days outside, pack comfortable shoes and clothes that can get somewhat dirty. Don’t forget to check the forecast for rain. If storms are predicted, then you’ll definitely want to bring a raincoat!

The fastest way to get around during Mardi Gras is on foot. The streetcars run during Mardi Gras season but those along parade routes have limited hours and routes.

Public port-a-potties are available for free or for a small fee all along the parade routes. Usually businesses will allow you to use a restroom if you are a customer or pay a small fee as well. Use a port-a-potty or you’ll end up in a paddy wagon. Public urination is illegal and Mardi Gras is no exception.

The traditional Mardi Gras ball is a lavish affair, calling for floor-length gowns for women and tuxedos for men. For the parades leading up to Mardi Gras, it's casual, comfortable attire. On Mardi Gras, however, costuming is expected. Many New Orleanians go for the satirical, the ironic, the bizarre or just something pretty. Costumes are by no means a requirement, but Mardi Gras is a great time to join the fun. Often, families or groups of friends will don a group-themed costume. Often, the best costumes tend to riff on current events.

That depends on whom you know. Most balls are invitation-only events, though tickets for some of the newer krewes' balls are available to the public for a steep fee. The Rex ball, for example, is invitation-only, but the Krewe of Endymion and the Krewe of Cleopatra offer tickets to their parties, which include live music, dancing, food and drink.

Parade-goers in New Orleans aren't just spectators; they are full participants in the spectacle. Each parade krewe is expected to toss beads and other trinkets from their floats, which means parade-goers go home with bags of loot. There are urban legends of New Orleanians having to reinforce their attics to support the weight of the beads caught during Carnival.