The first Mardi Gras in America would be celebrated in 1703 in nearby Mobile. Bienville, MardiGrasNewOrleans.com says, established New Orleans in 1718 and by the 1730s Mardi Gras was celebrated in ...

12. New Orleans became a Mardi Gras hotspot in 1857 when floats were introduced to the city's parade for the first time. 13. Mistick Krewe of Comus introduced floats to New Orleans Mardi Gras parades.

With 12th Night on Jan. 6 marking the start of Carnival, the 2025 season lasted 58 days. The 2026 season won't be quite as long, with 43 days from Jan. 6 to Fat Tuesday on Feb. 17.

It also meant there was plenty to do go out and see outside, especially during Mardi Gras. After I accepted my new job as a breaking and trending reporter for The Times-Picayune at the end ...

Mardi Gras, also often called Carnival or Carnaval, is celebrated in countries around the world with large Roman Catholic populations. Louisiana was colonized first by the French before it became ...