Mardi Gras Traditions

Mardi Gras is about music, parades, picnics, floats and excitement. It's one big holiday in New Orleans!

Revelers know to wear costumes or at least dress in purple, green, and gold, and adorn themselves with long beads caught from the floats of previous parades. You'll see a lot of crazy costumes, kids with their families are everywhere, and both locals and visitors having a great time. Parade goers will sit on the ground, throw balls, play music, eat great food and watch the crowds walk by between parades. On Mardi Gras day, the majority of non-essential businesses are shut down because of the celebration.

Experienced revelers know to bring a large bag with them so they can haul away all the beads and trinkets they will catch from the parades!

Every year, we get a lot of questions about how it all begin, and how the traditions have changed. Click on the buttons below to find out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.