New Orleans Mardi Gras Fun Facts

Mardi Gras (or Carnival) season begins on January 6

Mardi Gras (or Carnaval) season ends on Fat Tuesday

Krewes are clubs that put on the parades

Endymion, Bacchus, Rex, and Zulu are famous krewes

“Throw Me Something, Mister” are the magic words used to catch all the throws at Mardi Gras parades.

Everyone on a Mardi Gras parade float must wear a mask or paint their face.

The Mardi Gras colors are purple, green and gold.

Purple symbolizes justice.

Gold symbolizes power.

Green symbolizes faith.

The colors of Mardi Gras were introduced by the Krewe of Rex in 1872

King cakes are a special Mardi Gras dessert.

Inside each king cake is a plastic baby.

If you find the baby, you host next year’s Mardi Gras party.

There are more than 70 parades during Mardi Gras.

500,000 king cakes are sold during the Mardi Gras season.

One of the most desired Mardi Gras trinkets is the Golden Coconut from the Krewe of Zulu.

Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday.