More Than Beads & Parades The History of Mardi Gras
Masks, kings, cakes, parades, costumes and beads may be what we recognize today, but the story of Mardi Gras began long before Bourbon Street — and even long before there was a New Orleans.
Mardi Gras Is Bigger Than Bourbon Street
For many Americans, the words “Mardi Gras” immediately bring to mind New Orleans, Bourbon Street and one enormous party.
That’s certainly one part of modern Mardi Gras culture, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.
Before Mardi Gras Came to America
The roots of modern Carnival reach deep into medieval Europe, where communities celebrated before the beginning of Lent — the traditional Christian season of fasting and preparation leading to Easter.
Over time, festivals developed around feasting, masquerading, dancing, role reversal and public celebration. Different regions created their own traditions, but the basic idea was remarkably similar:
Food, music, costumes and merrymaking became part of the days leading into Lent. France was among the places where these traditions flourished — and French settlers would eventually carry them across the Atlantic.
What Is Twelfth Night?
Christmas Day isn’t traditionally the end of the Christmas season. It begins the famous “Twelve Days of Christmas.”
January 6 is Epiphany, often called Twelfth Night in Carnival tradition. It commemorates the visit of the Magi — the Three Kings — to the infant Jesus.
In places such as New Orleans, January 6 marks the official beginning of the Carnival season. Decorations appear, king cakes return and the countdown to Mardi Gras begins.
So when someone says Mardi Gras lasts for weeks, they’re not talking about one extremely long Tuesday. They’re talking about Carnival season.
So What Exactly Is Mardi Gras?
“Mardi Gras” is French for Fat Tuesday. It is the Tuesday immediately before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.
Traditionally, it was the last opportunity to feast and celebrate before the more solemn Lenten season began. That is why Mardi Gras became the grand finale of Carnival.
Mardi Gras Comes to America
French explorers and settlers carried Carnival traditions with them to the Gulf Coast, where those customs began developing an American identity of their own.
A Mardi Gras on the Gulf Coast
French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville reached the lower Mississippi region during Mardi Gras season. His party observed Shrove Tuesday there, connecting the French celebration with the region that would eventually become famous for it.
Mobile Celebrates
French settlers in Mobile held what is widely recognized as the earliest recorded organized Mardi Gras celebration in what is now the United States.
New Orleans Is Founded
New Orleans was founded years after Mardi Gras traditions had already reached the Gulf Coast. The city would eventually develop one of the world’s most famous Carnival celebrations.
The Parade Tradition Changes
The Mistick Krewe of Comus staged an elaborate, themed nighttime procession in New Orleans. Its organized floats, costumes and ball helped establish a model that influenced the grand krewe parades people recognize today.
Mobile Came First. New Orleans Made It Famous.
Both cities have played enormous roles in shaping American Mardi Gras — but their stories are not identical.
America’s Early Mardi Gras
Mobile’s Mardi Gras history reaches back to 1703. Its celebration developed its own mystic societies, balls, parades, costumes and traditions, many of which continue today.
A Tradition Goes Worldwide
New Orleans transformed Carnival into an enormous cultural institution. Its krewes, elaborate floats, balls, street masking, music and multicultural traditions helped make Mardi Gras famous around the world.
Why Do We Do All This Stuff?
Many things we associate with Mardi Gras aren’t random. They’re pieces of a celebration that has evolved over generations.
Masks
Masking and disguise have been part of Carnival traditions for centuries, giving revelers a chance to step outside everyday life.
Kings & Queens
Carnival royalty grew from European court traditions and the elaborate balls and societies that later developed along the Gulf Coast.
King Cake
Twelfth Night celebrations have long included special cakes and the tradition of hiding a bean, nut or small token inside.
Krewes
Krewes and mystic societies organize many of the parades, balls and festivities associated with American Carnival.
Throws
Beads, trinkets and other items tossed to spectators evolved into one of the most recognizable parts of modern Mardi Gras parades.
Costumes
Dressing up, transforming your appearance and embracing a different personality have always been part of the magic of Carnival.
Even the Colors Have Meaning
In the late 1800s, the Rex organization in New Orleans helped establish purple, green and gold as the colors most closely associated with Mardi Gras and later assigned each one a meaning.
Every Community Makes Mardi Gras Its Own
That’s one of the things we love most about Mardi Gras.
Mobile’s Mardi Gras isn’t exactly like New Orleans. Rural Louisiana traditions aren’t the same as the grand parades in the city. Communities across the Gulf South have developed their own foods, processions, costumes, music and customs.
Mardi Gras has never been one single formula.
And Yes — Our Dates Are Right in the Season
The traditional Carnival calendar creates the perfect backdrop for Mardi Gras in the Spa.
Carnival season officially begins.
Our Masquerade Ball and downtown celebration take place during Carnival season.
Fat Tuesday brings the 2027 Carnival season to its traditional finale.
Now Come Make Some History With Us
From medieval Europe to the Gulf Coast, Mardi Gras has traveled hundreds of years and thousands of miles while constantly taking on the personality of the communities that celebrate it.
Now we’re adding our own little chapter to that story.
Dress up. Eat something good. Catch some beads. Enjoy the music. Bring the family. Meet your neighbors. Have some fun — and help us turn Mardi Gras in the Spa into a Hot Springs tradition of its own.