Carnival Mardi Gras - An Overview
Carnival Mardi Gras is an annual festival celebrated around the world during the weeks leading up to Lent. The festivities, which include parades, costumes, music, dancing, and feasts, allow the population to celebrate before the period of fasting and penance that follows during Lent. The celebrations of Carnival Mardi Gras have grown to become one of the largest, most popular, and most recognized cultural events.
Carnival Mardi Gras has a long and varied history that dates as far back as Ancient Rome, where it was celebrated with partying, masquerades, and revelry. The festival has taken on many forms throughout history and has been celebrated in countries and cultures around the world, from the United States, to the Caribbean and Latin America, to Germany and the United Kingdom.
Today, Carnival Mardi Gras is perhaps best celebrated in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. The city is home to some of the United States' most vibrant parades, musicians, and artistic performances in the world. People from all over the country and beyond flock to the city to experience the unique festivities and culture of Mardi Gras.
Carnival Mardi Gras is the perfect time to plan a trip to New Orleans or anywhere else that celebrates the festival. Whether it's to witness the grand parades, to sample the regional foods, or to take part in the street parties that characterize the celebrations, travelers are sure to be dazzled by all that the festival of Carnival Mardi Gras has to offer.
Carnival Mardi Gras Begins
Carnival Mardi Gras is traditionally heralded with the arrival of King's Day, which marks the start of the two-week celebration period. As the weeks pass, the festivities start to intensify. On the weekends, grand parades called “krewes” roll through many of the major streets in the city, complete with colorful floats, marching bands, dancers, and street performers.
The various krewes of Carnival Mardi Gras have their own unique themes and personalities, and spectators are sure to be impressed by the sheer energy and spectacle of the parades. It’s also not uncommon for throws in the form of plastic bead necklaces, stuffed animals, treats, and other small trinkets to be thrown from every passing float, which is a highlight for most observers.
The celebratory atmosphere isn’t just restricted to the parades either, as many of the city’s neighbourhoods come alive with music, dancing, and plenty of food. With the help of local guides, food Tours are the perfect way to sample some of the city’s best Creole dishes while soaking up the atmosphere.
The climax of all the fun and festivities arrive with the arrival of Fat Tuesday or “Mardi Gras,” the final day of Carnival. On this day, the city of New Orleans rejoices in a grand display of colour, music, and feasting before beginning their period of atonement for Lent on Ash Wednesday.
Preparing for Carnival Mardi Gras
When planning for a trip to Carnival Mardi Gras, preparation is key to maximizing the experience. Given the large numbers of people and the short supply of hotels in the city, it is important to book accommodation well ahead of time. As for the parades and street parties, an early start is essential as the streets can get quite busy later on in the day and over the weekends. Lastly, it is important to dress for the weather and bring plenty of water and food when attending any of the parades or street parties.
Conclusion
Carnival Mardi Gras is a cultural tradition that is a must-see for any traveler looking to go beyond the typical tourist destinations. With its parades, food, music, and street parties, the festival of Carnival Mardi Gras has something to offer everyone. Whether it’s catching some of the parades, sampling local cuisine, or just taking part in the revelry, witnessing the culture and festivities of Carnival Mardi Gras is an experience that ought not to be missed.
