Mardi Gras 2025: Grand finale of biggest carnival in New Orleans
Mardi Gras Parade: Orpheus Leviathan Dragon Float in New Orleans (Getty Images)
Mardi Gras reaches its peak on Tuesday night, bringing an end to weeks of vibrant celebrations, as revelers in New Orleans bid farewell to the season with the traditional phrase: “Laissez les bons temps rouler”—“Let the good times roll”, according to the USA TODAY.
More than just a party: History of Mardi Gras
Many people think Mardi Gras is just one day, but it’s actually a full Carnival season that begins on January 6 and lasts until Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. This tradition dates back to medieval Europe, where people would indulge before the 40 days of Lent, a period of fasting and self-discipline.
“The celebration started in Rome and France before making its way to the American colonies,” explains Christy Garrison-Harrison, a historian at Southern University and A&M College. By the late 1600s, French settlers had introduced the tradition to Louisiana. Early celebrations featured Boeuf Gras—the “fatted calf”—symbolizing indulgence before the sacrifices of Lent. “People would feast on rich foods and prepare for a time of restraint,” adds Sarah McDonald, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Mardi Gras 2025: Bianca Del Rio as Krewe of Orpheus Celebrity Monarch (Photo: GettyImages)
Parades, krewes, and the ultimate Mardi Gras treat
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is famous for its extravagant parades, which begin in January and reach their peak on Fat Tuesday. These parades are organized by krewes—social clubs that create elaborate floats and throw signature souvenirs like beads, decorated coconuts, and even painted shoes. “Everybody wants to get a coconut,” says Adrienne Webber from Grambling State University.
No Mardi Gras celebration is complete without a king cake, a colorful, sugar-covered pastry tied to Christian tradition. The modern New Orleans-style king cake contains a small plastic baby inside—whoever finds it is said to have good luck and must provide the next cake.
Despite the party's reputation, Mardi Gras is also a family-friendly event with deep cultural roots. “It brings together African, Indigenous, Creole, and Latin influences,” says Garrison-Harrison. Some of New Orleans’ oldest krewes, such as the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, were founded over a century ago as a response to racial segregation.
Earlier, we wrote about the festival in Florida, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary with music, food, and carnival rides.
