Everything You Need to Know About Mardi Gras

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La danse de Mardi Gras

What is Mardi Gras?

The legacy of Mardi Gras can be traced to European Carnival celebrations during the 17th and 18th centuries. Carnival has traditionally been celebrated as a debaucherous prelude to Lent, a six-week-long religious fast observed on the days before Easter. 

The holiday’s connection to New Orleans dates back to 1699 when explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville arrived to Louisiana and declared a plot of land “Pointe du Mardi Gras” upon realizing it was the eve of the medieval holiday. The city of New Orleans was established in 1718 near the area known as “Pointe du Mardi Gras,” and by the 1730s, Mardi Gras parades and masquerade balls became an annual tradition in the southern city. While Mardi Gras officially takes place on Fat Tuesday—the day before Ash Wednesday that marks the start of Lent—in New Orleans, Mardi Gras festivities begin up to a month in advance.

When is Mardi Gras in 2019?

Mardi Gras celebrations begin on January 6, 2019, with free parades and street parties continuing through Fat Tuesday on March 5, 2019. If you’re in New Orleans at the start of 2019 Carnival season, don’t miss the Phunny Phorty Phellows Streetcar Ride, beginning at 7 p.m. on January 6. Every year, this group of about 50 costumed men and women trumpet the “Carnival Countdown” and mark the official opening of the season by riding a decorated streetcar along the St. Charles Avenue line while tossing Mardi Gras beads to onlookers.

A float for a Mardi Gras parade rolls down St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans

Throughout February and the beginning of March, famous Mardi Gras krewes and New Orleans marching bands put on lively parades across the city. On March 5, 2019, citywide celebrations commemorate Fat Tuesday, the final day of Carnival season.

Where are the best places to stay during Mardi Gras?

Location is everything during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, as parking is difficult and walking is imperative if you’re planning to consume alcohol. To remain close to the parades Uptown, stay in the charming Garden District bordered by Magazine Street and St. Charles Avenue. This tree-lined neighborhood is filled with boutique shops, top-notch restaurants, and grand dame mansions, and the French Quarter’s festivities are just a streetcar ride away.

For a quieter, but still exciting Mardi Gras experience, consider the Faubourg Marigny (commonly called “the Marigny”) and Bywater neighborhoods. These laid-back districts east of the French Quarter will offer a more off-the-beaten-path Mardi Gras experience, but the action of Bourbon Street is still close enough to access without having to drive. Regardless of which New Orleans hotel you choose to rest your head in during Mardi Gras, the chances that a colorful parade will pass through the neighborhood during your stay are strong.

History of King Cakes

The Mardi Gras or Carnival season officially begins on January 6th or the "Twelfth Night," also known to Christians as the "Epiphany." Epiphany comes from a Greek word that means "to show." Jesus first showed himself to the three wisemen and to the world on this day. As a symbol of this Holy Day, a tiny plastic baby is placed inside each King Cake.

The King Cake tradition is thought to have been brought to New Orleans from France in 1870. A King Cake is an oval-shaped bakery delicacy, crossed between a coffee cake and a French pastry that is as rich in history as it is in flavor. It's decorated in royal colors of PURPLE which signifies "Justice," GREEN for "Faith," and GOLD for "Power." These colors were chosen to resemble a jeweled crown honoring the Wise Men who visited the Christ Child on Epiphany. In the past such things as coins, beans, pecans, or peas were also hidden in each King Cake.

Today, a tiny plastic baby is the common prize. At a party, the King Cake is sliced and served. Each person looks to see if their piece contains the "baby." If so, then that person is named "King" for a day and bound by custom to host the next party and provide the King Cake.

Mardi Gras Day has a moveable date and may occur on any Tuesday from February 3rd to March 9th. It is always the day before Ash Wednesday, and always falls 46 days before Easter.

Traditional New Orleans King Cake 

Get in on the fun of the king cake. Hide a little toy baby in the cake. Whoever finds it has one year of good luck! 

Ingredients

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)

3/4 cup sugar, divided

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)

2 large egg yolks, room temperature

1-1/4 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3-1/4 to 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 large egg, beaten

GLAZE:

1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

2 teaspoons lemon juice

2 to 3 tablespoons water

Green, purple and yellow sugars

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1/2 cup sugar, butter, milk, egg yolks, salt, lemon zest, nutmeg and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 16x10-in. rectangle. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle over dough to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet; pinch ends together to form a ring. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Brush with egg.
4. Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. For glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and enough water to achieve desired consistency. Spread over cake. Sprinkle with colored sugars.