Mardi Gras in New Orleans did not begin with giant floats, marching bands, beads, and crowds lining St. Charles Avenue. It developed over centuries—from European religious customs and colonial celebrations into a distinctly New Orleans tradition shaped by French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, Creole, and American influences. Today, Mardi Gras is one of the world’s best-known…
Future Mardi Gras Dates and How They’re Calculated One of the most common questions people ask is: “Why does Mardi Gras change every year?” The simple answer is this: Because Easter changes every year, and Mardi Gras is always celebrated 47 days before Easter Sunday. Since Easter can fall anywhere between late March and late…
The Story Behind One of New Orleans’ Most Beloved Traditions If you’ve ever visited New Orleans, chances are you’ve seen—or at least heard—a brass band leading a crowd of people dancing through the streets, waving colorful umbrellas and handkerchiefs. That’s called a Second Line, and it’s one of the city’s most recognizable traditions. A Second…