Mardi Gras 2018 happens on February 13 

 Mardi Gras 2018 Gets Rolling

The 2018 carnival season kicked off on Twelfth Night, January 6. In addition to the Phunny Phorty Phellows streetcar ride, the occasion was marked by the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc's annual procession through the French Quarter. 

Mardi Gras Parades

It's almost time to roll! 

Check out our 2018 Parade Schedule.

Carnival Wisdom from Our Show Hosts

Here's a few Carnival-related blogs by our show hosts, from seasons past:

--Sam Cammarata with advice on How to survive Mardi Gras.

--Jelly Roll Justice on the Saint Anne's parade.

--Bill de Turk's King Cake cocktail.

Mardi Gras Play List

While you're busily sewing, fashioning, and (inevitably for those last minute scragglers) stapling and glueing, what music puts you in the mardi gras mood? We'd love it if you would take a few minutes to Add to our Mardi Gras Play List!

Alternative Fat Tuesday Krewes

Pete Fountain's Half-Fast Walking Club. French Quarter

Societé de Saint Anne. Marigny/French Quarter

Krewe of Elvis. French Quarter

Krewe of Cosmic Debris. French Quarter

Krewe of the Living Dead. French Quarter

Mardi Gras Indians

Many New Orleanians get in shape for Carnival by attending weekly Mardi Gras Indian practices held at several clubs around town.

One of the most popular is the Unified Mardi Gras Indian Practice at Handa Wanda's, 2425 Dryades Street, every Sunday evening.

Learn more about the Mardi Gras Indians:

» Listen to Ronald Lewis of the House of Dance and Feathers, a museum devoted to Mardi Gras Indian culture in the Lower Ninth Ward. 

» Listen to Big Chief Howard of the Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians as he talks about this quintessential New Orleans tradition.

» Listen to Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr. of The Wild Magnolais Mardi Gras Indians talking about his tribe, the Dollis family, and the Wild Magnolia funk band.

» Visit the Backstreet Cultural Museum

» Visit the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame

» Listen to a Street Talk story about the Wild Mohicans Mardi Gras Indians

King Cakes

King Cakes are an old tradition brought over from France and eaten from Epiphany through Mardi Gras, although these days King Cake is brought out  for all sorts of celebrations, including black-and-gold themed King Cakes! Gambino's Bakery, Haydel's Bakery and Randazzo's Camellia City Bakery are three of the most popular bakeries in the city, but almost every grocery or bakery has their own twist on the treat. Learn more about the history of king cakes.

Want to make your own King Cake? Check out our recipe from Louisiana Cookin' or give your hand a try at Emeril Lagasse's version.

Mardi Gras Around the World

Send in pictures and stories about Mardi Gras in your hometown to feedback@wwoz.org and help bring your own Mardi Gras experience to the universe.

The Honky Tonk Jazz Club in Dendermonde, Belgium is bringing Mardi Gras for the first time to their city. The virtual krewe, Verti Gras, is asking New Orleanians to make miniature floats across the world and show them off via photos and video. A couple of Lousiana natives started the Mystic Krewe of Nimbus in Portland, Oregon and are having their fourth Carnival Ball this year.

Check out Mardi Gras celebrations in Mobile, Alabama ; Salvador da Bahia, Brazil; Trinidad; and around the world.