Members of the Mistick Krewe of Comus sporting walking heads in French Quarter procession, Mardi Gas 2002
When is Mardi Gras?

When is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras 2025 is Tuesday, March 4. A movable holiday, occurring on any Tuesday from February 3 through March 9, Mardi Gras always scheduled 47 days preceding Easter (the 40 days of Lent plus seven Sundays).

Man got up as CNN’s Anderson Cooper holding an Anderson Copperhead 360 sign while interviewing a female reveler with a Playboy body-paint treatment on her bare chest

Streams & Broadcasts

Can’t make it to Mardi Gras in New Orleans or prefer to view the action remotely? Enjoy live and on-demand coverage of parades and more.

Female Mardi Gras masker with sign reading "Everywhere Else It's Just Tuesday"

Mardi Gras 101

An introduction to the core curriculum for aspiring revelers.

A golden bean emblazoned with “TNR” and underneath, the year the Twelfth Night Revelers was founded (1870)

King Cake: A Rich Tradition

Long before the Lord of Misrule reigned over the first pageant of the Twelfth Night Revelers in New Orleans, his ancient ancestor, the King of…

King Zulu 2012 Elroy James. The Zulus of Mardi Gras are explained in MardiGrasTradition.com's Mardi Gras dictionary.

Mardi Gras Dictionary and Terminology

Who is The Lord of Misrule? What does the word “krewe” have to do with the poetry of John Milton? Why are go-cups popular throws? And what does a spyboy mean when he hollers “Humbah!” If these questions seem puzzling, it’s time to bone-up on some Mardispeak.

“Journey of Dionysius” float depicting the Greek god in the 2015 Krewe of Endymion parade

Mardi Gras History

In exploring Mardi Gras history, there’s no tidy way to connect the dots between ancient festive customs and the modern pre-Lenten revels that occur in…

A mom with her kids happily perched — and ready for parade action — in a Mardi Gras ladder.

Parade Ladders

Step ladders with seats attached are a favorite way to provide kids with a prime parade perch and help them snag lots of throws.

Reveler at parade barricade about to lift her jacket and shirt in a bead-seeking display of Mardi Gras immodesty.

Flashing for Beads

As flashing for beads has evolved into a Mardi Gras pastime, “Show your tits!” has become as much a part of the lexicon as “Throw…

Tips and Tricks Intro

Tips and Tricks Intro

Advice and insights on navigating the ins and outs of a sprawling extravaganza that can be challenging to get one’s arms around.

Gonzo Mardi Gras reveler covered in a dense array of purple, green and gold balls

Words to the Wise

Be mindful of the fact that the laissez-faire atmosphere of Mardi Gras can cause visitors to become more prone to take risks and let their…

Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, flanked by Baby Dolls, performing at the Old U.S. Mint in 2012.

Mardi Gras Music History

The nexus between Carnival and music reflects the festive, let-the-good-times-roll culture of the Crescent City, where parading and dancing have long been obsessions. The seasonal…

All things Mardi Gras in New Orleans