Mardi Gras in New Orleans: From Twelfth Night to Fat Tuesday
Mardi Gras in New Orleans isn’t just a single day — it’s a season, a spectacle rooted in centuries of history, tradition, and unapologetic celebration. From the moment the first beads fly on Twelfth Night to the final parade rolling down St. Charles Avenue on Fat Tuesday, the city transforms into a living, breathing carnival unlike anywhere else in the world.
If you’re planning a visit to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, understanding where it all begins — and how to experience it like a local — makes all the difference.
When Does Mardi Gras Begin?
Mardi Gras officially begins on January 6, known as Twelfth Night or Epiphany. This marks the start of Carnival season and commemorates the arrival of the Three Kings in Christian tradition. In New Orleans, it’s celebrated with the first king cakes of the year and early parades hosted by historic krewes like Phunny Phorty Phellows, who famously ride a vintage streetcar.
From Twelfth Night forward, parades and festivities slowly build momentum, crescendoing in the final two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday — the day before Ash Wednesday and the last chance to indulge before Lent.
What Is Fat Tuesday?
Fat Tuesday (or Mardi Gras Day) literally means “Fat Tuesday” in French — a final feast before the fasting season of Lent begins. In New Orleans, it’s a citywide celebration filled with parades, costumes, music, and tradition.
Unlike many cities, Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans is a local holiday. Schools close, offices shut down, and neighborhoods host walking parades, block parties, and traditions passed down for generations.
The History Behind Mardi Gras Parades
New Orleans Mardi Gras parades date back to the early 1800s, with formal krewes emerging in the mid-19th century. The Mystick Krewe of Comus, founded in 1856, set the template for modern parades: elaborate floats, masked riders, and carefully guarded themes.
Today, more than 70 krewes parade during Carnival season. Each krewe has its own traditions, throws, and personality — from the massive super-krewes like Endymion and Bacchus to old-line organizations like Rex, whose arrival signals the official start of Mardi Gras Day.
Why Beads Matter (And Why Purple, Green, and Gold)
Beads are the most iconic Mardi Gras throw, but they’re more than just plastic souvenirs. The official Mardi Gras colors — purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power) — were chosen in 1872 and still dominate Carnival visuals today.
Early beads were made of glass and far more valuable than today’s mass-produced versions. Catching beads was once considered a real prize, not just a playful tradition. While modern throws now include cups, doubloons, and specialty items, beads remain the most recognizable symbol of Mardi Gras worldwide.
King Cake: A Delicious Tradition
No Mardi Gras season is complete without king cake. Traditionally decorated in Mardi Gras colors and topped with sugar, the cake hides a small plastic baby inside. Whoever finds the baby is said to have good luck — and is usually responsible for bringing the next king cake.
King cake season begins on Twelfth Night and ends on Fat Tuesday. After that, eating king cake is considered bad luck by locals — a detail many visitors don’t realize.
Mardi Gras Beyond Bourbon Street
While Bourbon Street is famous for its Mardi Gras chaos, many of the most authentic experiences happen elsewhere:
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St. Charles Avenue for grand parades
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The French Quarter for history and intimate traditions
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Neighborhood walking parades like the Mardi Gras Indians
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Early-morning traditions on Fat Tuesday, including Skull and Bone Gang and Zulu’s Lundi Gras festivities
To truly understand Mardi Gras, you need context — stories, history, and the hidden corners most visitors walk past without realizing their significance.
Pirates, Mardi Gras, and Old New Orleans
Long before Mardi Gras became a tourist draw, New Orleans was a rough-and-tumble port city shaped by smugglers, sailors, soldiers, and pirates. Figures like Jean Lafitte and his men lived on the fringes of society, influencing the city’s culture, economy, and reputation for rebellion.
That spirit — lawless, colorful, and defiant — still pulses through Mardi Gras today.
Visit the Pirate Shop in Pirates Alley
Just steps from Jackson Square, Pirates Alley is one of the most historic passageways in the French Quarter. Tucked between the St. Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo, it’s the perfect place to step off the parade route and into New Orleans’ darker, grittier past.
The Pirate Shop in Pirates Alley offers unique Mardi Gras-ready merchandise, pirate-themed gifts, and souvenirs you won’t find on Bourbon Street. It’s a favorite stop for visitors looking to bring home something authentic — and a chance to explore a piece of the Quarter many tourists miss entirely.
Take a Pirate Walking Tour During Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is fun — but understanding why New Orleans celebrates the way it does makes the experience unforgettable.
A Pirate Walking Tour dives into the real history behind the masks and music: smugglers, secret alliances, battles, and betrayals that helped shape the city. You’ll walk the same streets pirates once used, hear stories rarely told on traditional tours, and see the French Quarter through a completely different lens.
The Pirate Pub Crawl: A Perfect Mardi Gras Night
For adults looking to keep the celebration going after the parades roll, the Pirate Pub Crawl blends history, storytelling, and classic New Orleans nightlife. It’s not about bar-hopping — it’s about atmosphere, legends, and experiencing the city the way sailors and outlaws once did.
During Mardi Gras season, it’s one of the most memorable ways to end the night.
Experience Mardi Gras Like a Local
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is loud, chaotic, beautiful, and deeply historic. From king cake on Twelfth Night to beads flying on Fat Tuesday, every tradition tells a story — if you know where to look.
So when you visit, don’t just watch the parades. Walk the alleyways. Learn the legends. Step into the pirate past that still shadows the French Quarter.
Stop by Pirates Alley, visit the Pirate Shop, and take a Pirate Tour or Pub Crawl to experience Mardi Gras the way New Orleans intended — rich in history, mystery, and unforgettable stories.