Mardi Gras Day is March 4, 2025. Fat Tuesday is the last day of the Carnival season, as it always falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.
What you need to know about Mardi Gras:
Do I need tickets?
No tickets are required to see a parade… all of them are FREE!! That’s why it’s called “The Greatest Free Show on Earth!” You only need tickets if you want to sit in grandstands while the parades pass.
Are Carnival and Mardi Gras the same thing?
Technically, “Carnival” refers to the period of festivities and fun that begins on January 6 and ends on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), the last day of revelry before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins. It’s also common for people to refer to the entire season as Mardi Gras and, for clarity, call Fat Tuesday “Mardi Gras Day.” Locals tend to call the season “Carnival” and, for us, the last two weekends leading up to Tuesday are “Mardi Gras.”
What is the meaning of the colors of Mardi Gras, and where do they come from?
Rex, the King of Carnival, selected the colors of Mardi Gras and assigned meanings to them in 1892. Purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power.
Why are masks worn?
By law, participants on the floats must always wear masks. On Fat Tuesday, wearing masks is allowed for everyone else, and the elaborate masks some wear add to the fun.
How does Mardi Gras benefit the economy of New Orleans?
Economic impact reports indicate that Mardi Gras generates over $1 billion in annual spending.
How is the city government involved?
Municipal governments are not involved in coordinating Mardi Gras parades. Governments issue permits for parades, but that is the extent of their involvement. The krewes schedule and coordinate their own parades independently.
Who organizes and pays for Mardi Gras?
The Mardi Gras parade krewes are private nonprofit organizations whose members meet year-round to plan the parade theme, costumes, and unique throws. Each Carnival Club, as they are known, is funded individually by its members. They support their krewe through dues, sales of krewe-related merchandise to their members, and fundraising. Mardi Gras parade krewes sometimes have corporate sponsors.
The city of New Orleans is not involved in coordinating Mardi Gras parades; its only involvement is issuing parade permits for each individual Mardi Gras krewe that schedules and coordinates its own parade.
Source: Mardi Gras New Orleans