Mardi Gras

2024 - 2 - 13

Mardi Gras Celebrations in New Orleans: A Festive Tradition

Carnival celebration - LGBTQ communities - Mardi Gras - New Orleans

Explore the vibrant festivities of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, from parades to cultural traditions, and the LGBTQ influence on the event.

Costumed revelers took to the streets of New Orleans for Mardi Gras, attracting families and tourists who gathered to witness the annual festivities, including colorful parades and hand-decorated giveaways. The city transformed into a lively hub as it embraced the spirit of Mardi Gras, celebrated as the biggest free party globally. Mardi Gras, known as Fat Tuesday, marks the final day before the solemn period of Lent, symbolizing a time of fasting and spiritual reflection for Christians leading up to Easter.

In New Orleans, Mardi Gras transcends mere revelry; it's a platform where LGBTQ communities can redefine societal norms, creating new traditions and fostering inclusivity. Across Houston, Galveston, and beyond, thousands join in the exuberant celebrations, marking the culmination of Carnival season with a spectacular Fat Tuesday finale. The essence of Mardi Gras lies in its vibrant atmosphere, showcasing a love for life, music, delectable food, king cakes, and spirited drinks.

The historic roots of Mardi Gras in New Orleans have cultivated diverse expressions, including the queer dimension of the Carnival celebration. As the festivities reach a crescendo with elaborate parades, street parties, and festive gatherings, the city radiates with a palpable energy that encapsulates the essence of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras enthusiasts, including a 104-year-old parade-goer and the spirited group of Comic Cowboys, contribute to the cultural tapestry of the event, highlighting its enduring appeal and community spirit.

However, amidst the jubilation, there is a responsible cleanup effort after the revelry, symbolizing the respect for the city's spaces. Notably, the Mardi Gras Horse adoption program underscores a commitment to animal welfare during the celebrations. As the curtains close on Mardi Gras 2024, New Orleans bids farewell with a sense of satisfaction and anticipation for the traditions that await in the future.

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Image courtesy of "CBC.ca"

Costumed revellers hit the streets of New Orleans for Mardi Gras ... (CBC.ca)

Families and tourists lined major streets in New Orleans on Tuesday to watch Mardi Gras festivities, which included parades giving away hand-decorated ...

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Image courtesy of "WDSU New Orleans"

Live coverage: Mardi Gras Day celebrations across New Orleans (WDSU New Orleans)

Everywhere else, it's just Tuesday. But today, New Orleans throws the biggest free party in the world.

Happy Mardi Gras! Enjoy Fat Tuesday — Lent is around the corner (WEKU)

It's the last day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent — a time of fasting and prayer for many Christians — leading up to Easter.

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Image courtesy of "TIME"

How Mardi Gras Traditions Helped New Orleans' LGBTQ ... (TIME)

The celebrations created space for people to subvert gender norms, as New Orleans' LGBTQ communities built new traditions of their own.

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Image courtesy of "Houston Public Media"

How to celebrate Fat Tuesday around Houston this year (Houston Public Media)

Thousands of people will pack the downtown streets of Galveston Tuesday night for the last day of Mardi Gras celebrations and a grand Fat Tuesday finale.

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Image courtesy of "jacksonprogress-argus"

75 Mardi Gras Facts That Will Help You Bring Meaning to the Fun ... (jacksonprogress-argus)

"Mardi Gras" translates directly to "Fat Tuesday." 2. Mardi Gras is the final day of carnival celebrations before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. 3.

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

Mardi Gras 2024: Watch livestream of Fat Tuesday celebrations in ... (USA TODAY)

While its not the only city to celebrate Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Louisiana is arguably the most famous in the U.S..

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Image courtesy of "jacksonprogress-argus"

50 Mardi Gras Sayings and Quotes Perfect for Your Fat Tuesday ... (jacksonprogress-argus)

The spirit of Mardi Gras is alive and well: the love of life (joie de vivre), the enjoyment of music, food (especially king cake!), and a great drink, plus, ...

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Image courtesy of "WEAU"

'So very blessed': 104-year-old enjoys Mardi Gras parade (WEAU)

“It's a wonderful time ...

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Image courtesy of "TeenVogue.com"

Gay Mardi Gras: A Brief History of the Queer Carnival (TeenVogue.com)

Find out about the history of gay Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the queer part of the Carnival celebration.

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Mardi Gras and Carnival celebrations fill the streets — see the most ... (CBS News)

Carnival season culminated Tuesday with Mardi Gras parades, street parties and what amounted to a massive outdoor costume festival around the bars and ...

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Image courtesy of "WKRG News 5"

Mardi Gras Boot Camp: WKRG's “Rookies” put to the test (WKRG News 5)

Sports Director Simone Eli created a strenuous Mardi Gras "Boot Camp" to ensure the newest team members were prepared for Mobile's biggest day!

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Image courtesy of "WDSU New Orleans"

Mardi Gras 2024 comes to a close (WDSU New Orleans)

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell made the declaration at midnight on Ash Wednesday.

Happy Mardi Gras! Enjoy Fat Tuesday — Lent is around the corner (90.5 WESA)

It's the last day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent — a time of fasting and prayer for many Christians — leading up to Easter.

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Image courtesy of "WKRG News 5"

Last of Mardi Gras party trash picked up (WKRG News 5)

With Carnival there's an even bigger mess than usual to clean up around Mobile's downtown. Every morning crews line up to get ready for the big job ahead. Last ...

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Image courtesy of "WKRG News 5"

Comic Cowboys bring jokes to the Port City for Mardi Gras 2024 ... (WKRG News 5)

The Comic Cowboys brought the jokes to Mardi Gras in Mobile again this year, with signs lampooning everything from local topical issues to national ...

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Image courtesy of "FOX 8 Live WVUE"

Hundreds of thousands of revelers celebrate Mardi Gras in New ... (FOX 8 Live WVUE)

In Metairie, disaster ...

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Image courtesy of "FOX 5 Atlanta"

Mardi Gras Photos: New Orleans bids another joyous 'Fat Tuesday ... (FOX 5 Atlanta)

New Orleans bade a typically joyous goodbye to Carnival season Tuesday with Mardi Gras parades, street parties and what amounted to a massive outdoor ...

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Image courtesy of "NOLA.com"

Comus' glittering bal masque concludes Mardi Gras merriment (NOLA.com)

The grand finale of Mardi Gras 2024 came Shrove Tuesday evening with the traditional Meeting of the Courts of the Mistick Krewe of Comus and Rex during the ...

Happy Mardi Gras! Enjoy Fat Tuesday — Lent is around the corner (New Hampshire Public Radio)

It's the last day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent — a time of fasting and prayer for many Christians — leading up to Easter.

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Image courtesy of "Dakota News Now"

Homeless horses used in Mardi Gras parades available for adoption (Dakota News Now)

The Mardi Gras Horse ...

Celebrating Mardi Gras when you use a mobility device (KATC Lafayette News)

Partaking in the festivities during this season can be exciting but what about those in our community that need a little help getting around?

Explore the last week