Surprising Mardi Gras Traditions You Didn’t Know About
With its enthusiastic parades, vibrant costumes, and delicious food, Mardi Gras is the quintessential time for celebration in many countries around the world. The date of Mardi Gras usually varies from year to year, but it usually lands in February or March.
The most famous Mardi Gras celebration is held in New Orleans. Every year, thousands of people flock to the city to take part in the festivities. The parade is the highlight of the celebration, with colorful floats and marching bands. Participants also enjoy traditional New Orleans cuisine such as king cake, beignets, and jambalaya. At the end of the night, many people gather on Bourbon Street to celebrate with a wild night of dancing and revelry. Mardi Gras is a time of joy and merriment, and it’s an unforgettable experience for anyone who participates.
Read More »Let’s take a look at some of the most surprising Mardi Gras traditions you didn’t know about.
The Origins of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is rooted in the ancient tradition of Carnival, which was celebrated as part of Catholic religious holidays. The celebration usually begins on “Twelfth Night” and culminates with Fat Tuesday (a.k.a. the more sophisticated French phrase “Mardi Gras”) just before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent in the Catholic traditions.
When Is Mardi Gras?
Unlike many holidays, Mardi Gras does not fall on the same date every year. The date of the celebration depends on when Easter falls, and it is generally more than 40 days before that holiday. However, Mardi Gras is usually celebrated on a Tuesday (of course!) in the months of February and March.
What’s with the Traditional Mardi Gras Colors?
If you’ve ever had to decorate for Mardi Gras or have done some shopping for Valentine’s Day decorations and saw some adjacent Mardi Gras flair, then you probably observed that there are traditional colors for Mardi Gras, like purple, green, and gold. But did you know that each color of Mardi Gras has a special meaning? As a matter of fact, the colors that coincide with a Mardi Gras celebration are said to represent justice (purple), faith (green), and power (gold, of course).
Decorating for Mardi Gras
Setting out Mardi Gras decorations or even creating your own Mardi Gras decorations is a great way to get into the spirit of the season and add a personal touch to your celebration. There are so many creative ways to customize your decorations, such as using streamers, balloons, and banners in the traditional Mardi Gras colors. You can also add fun pieces like masks, necklaces with colorful beads, and stuffed animals wearing Mardi Gras costumes.
The King Cake Mardi Gras Tradition
No Mardi Gras celebration is complete without a King Cake. The sweet, colorful cake is usually enjoyed on the “Twelfth Night” of the holiday and it’s a tradition that dates back centuries. Customarily, the cake is decorated with purple, green, and gold icing and sometimes even edible decorations like crunchy sugar beads. The person who gets the slice of cake containing a small plastic baby (usually) figurine inside is said to have good luck for the rest of the year and may also be crowned king or queen of the Mardi Gras celebration.
Check out the Mardi Gras King Cake recipe at AllRecipes.
Traditional Mardi Gras Music
When you think of a Mardi Gras celebration, it’s hard not to think of the distinct music that accompanies it. From sultry jazz to lively zydeco, there are many types of music that are popular at Mardi Gras parties. The music that accompanies these Mardi Gras celebrations is a key part of the festivities. Traditional Mardi Gras music is often characterized by upbeat, festive sounds, such as jazz, brass band music, and zydeco. These genres draw from a variety of sources, such as African and Caribbean rhythms, and combine them with the sounds of more familiar Western instruments. This mix of elements creates a unique sound that is energetic and full of joy. As the celebrations of Mardi Gras continue throughout the world, the music of Mardi Gras will remain an integral part of the festivities.
The most famous type of Mardi Gras music is called “second line” which is a style of brass band music that originated in New Orleans. Other styles include blues, funk, hip-hop, and more recently, EDM and trap music. In modern Mardi Gras celebrations, pretty much anything goes, and the music often reflects the diversity of the festivities.
Mardi Gras Parades and Floats
The most iconic feature of Mardi Gras is undoubtedly the parades and floats. The first recorded Mardi Gras parade occurred in New Orleans in 1837 and featured a “float” — a decorated wagon with costumes and masks. Over time, these floats have become more elaborate, often with themes related to the year’s chosen royalty or honoring important figures from local history. Many cities now host annual Mardi Gras parades, some of which feature stunningly intricate floats pulled by teams of horses or tractors. From Rio de Janeiro to New Orleans, millions of people come together to celebrate Mardi Gras with these amazing parades, elaborate floats, and thousands of revelers in costume.
Costumes and Masks
From outrageous outfits and feathered hats to elegant ball gowns and intricate masks, the costumes and masks in traditional Mardi Gras celebrations tend to steal the show. In addition to the masks and costumes, many revelers wear eye-catching jewelry or carry props such as swords, scepters, or flags. Mardi Gras costumes can be homemade or store-bought, and the most important thing when it comes to putting together a dynamite Mardi Gras costume or mask is that they are colorful, creative, and reflect the festive spirit of Mardi Gras.
Attending (or Hosting) a Masquerade Ball
The masquerade ball is a classic Mardi Gras tradition, and it’s the perfect way to celebrate the holiday in style. Whether you decide to attend an already existing masquerade ball or host your own private event, these kinds of parties are always sure to be memorable experiences. At a masquerade ball, guests typically wear masks and costumes, and the event itself can involve a variety of activities, such as dancing, live music, or even a costume contest. If you’re feeling ambitious enough to host your own masquerade ball for Mardi Gras, consider decorating with glittering lights and colorful masks, playing some festive music, and serving traditional dishes like King Cake (of course) or beignets.
Flying Colorful Flags
Another Mardi Gras tradition worth noting is the flying of colorful flags. This custom is believed to have originated in Old World Europe, where it was customary to hang a banner or flag from a window or balcony during certain holidays and festivals. Mardi Gras is no exception, with people flying colorful flags — often featuring the iconic purple, green and gold colors of Mardi Gras — from their windows and balconies during the celebrations. This eye-catching display of color is sure to bring a smile to anyone who passes by.
Throwing Beads and Other Trinkets
In certain Mardi Gras celebrations — specifically in New Orleans — there is the tradition of throwing beads at Mardi Gras. This first originated as a way for the wealthy to show their appreciation to the poorer revelers, and today it is still an important part of Mardi Gras festivities. Over time, the tradition has expanded to include other trinkets such as doubloons (coins), stuffed animals, toys, candy, and more. Throwing these items into the crowd is a way to share the spirit of Mardi Gras with those around you — and it can be just plain fun!
Fireworks and Bonfires
As celebrations go, Mardi Gras is up there with the best of them. When the day is done, the festivities often culminate with a spectacular display of fireworks and bonfires. Nothing caps off a party like bright, beautiful explosions in the sky or a giant bonfire to dance around. For many, this marks the end of Mardi Gras season and serves as a reminder that there will be more celebrations to come in the future.
Mardi Gras Scavenger Hunt
A relatively new Mardi Gras tradition, the scavenger hunt is a fun way to get people out and about on Mardi Gras. The goal of the game is for participants to find certain items or clues that are hidden around town in order to win prizes. Popular items can include masks, beads, or other traditional Mardi Gras trinkets — or really anything that the organizer deems worthy of a scavenger hunt. While this tradition may be a bit different than the usual Mardi Gras celebrations, it’s still a great way to get people involved in the spirit of the holiday.
Celebrate Mardi Gras in Style!
Mardi Gras is an amazing tradition that has been celebrated for centuries in many countries around the world. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and joy, and the vibrant decorations, spectacular parades, and feasting of delicious food are just some of the wonderful experiences that come along with Mardi Gras. The passion and enthusiasm of anyone celebrating the festival make it a unique and unforgettable celebration. The spirit of Mardi Gras is alive and well, so no matter where you are or how big the party is, make sure to celebrate it in style!
