In New Orleans, January 6th is a date that holds a special, almost sacred, place in our hearts. It’s not just another day on the calendar—it marks the official start of the Carnival season, a time when our city comes alive with parades, music, costumes, and of course, the rich, delicious tradition of king cake. But for us locals, it’s more than just the beginning of Mardi Gras season; it’s a day to honor a centuries-old tradition that connects us to the vibrant heart of New Orleans.
So, why is January 6th, or Epiphany, so important to New Orleanians? And why does Mardi Gras change every year? Let me take you through the magic of it all.
Epiphany: The Day Everything Begins
Epiphany, also known as Three Kings’ Day, is a Christian holiday that celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men (or Magi) to visit the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. While Epiphany is celebrated around the world, in New Orleans, it’s an important cultural milestone that heralds the start of Carnival season.
In our city, Carnival is a season, not just a day. It starts on Epiphany and runs all the way through Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. While many cities have one grand celebration, New Orleans has weeks of parades, balls, and parties that make the journey through Carnival feel like a rite of passage.
The Parades: The Heartbeat of Carnival Season
One of the most iconic aspects of Carnival season is, of course, the parades. But parades in New Orleans aren’t your average floats—they’re colorful, extravagant, and full of tradition. From the moment the first parade rolls out on January 6th, the excitement builds and builds until the big day—Mardi Gras.
Krewe of Joan of Arc, for example, kicks things off in the French Quarter on Epiphany, but the real fun starts to escalate as you move through the season. Larger-than-life krewes (a term we use for parade organizations) like Endymion, Bacchus, and Zulu dominate the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras Day. These parades feature elaborate floats, marching bands, and masked riders throwing beads, coins (called doubloons), and small trinkets into the crowds.
But why do the parades seem to change and shift every year? That’s a direct result of how Mardi Gras is tied to the liturgical calendar. The date of Mardi Gras Day is determined by the date of Easter, which changes each year based on the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter, which means the day we go all-out in celebration changes annually—sometimes it falls in February, sometimes in March. That’s why some years Mardi Gras feels early, and other years it seems like it’s forever away.
King Cake: A Sweet Tradition to Start the Season Right
Ahh, the king cake. If there’s one thing New Orleans folks eagerly anticipate each year, it’s the return of this delicious, cinnamon-laced treat. King cake is an essential part of the Epiphany celebration, and it’s not just about the cake itself; it’s about the tradition that comes with it.
The king cake symbolizes the journey of the Three Kings to find the Christ child, and the cake often comes decorated with the traditional purple, green, and gold colors representing justice, faith, and power. But the real fun comes when you cut into that cake, because hidden inside is a small plastic baby. Whoever gets the piece with the baby is expected to buy the next cake or throw the next party. It’s a fun little tradition that binds us together in our shared Carnival experience.
If you’re in New Orleans during Carnival season, you’ll find king cakes everywhere—from bakeries to street corners to local grocery stores. There’s even a bit of a friendly rivalry around which bakery makes the best cake. Some are filled with cream cheese, while others are packed with praline or fruit, and each is covered in enough icing and sprinkles to make you feel like you're in a parade yourself.
Costumes: The New Orleans Way to Express Yourself
Mardi Gras wouldn’t be Mardi Gras without the costumes. Carnival season is a time when New Orleanians get to fully embrace the creative spirit and let their imaginations run wild. While some people get fancy with traditional ball gowns or tuxedos, others go all out with costumes that range from over-the-top elaborate to hilarious and quirky.
From the krewes in their colorful costumes to the revelers on the streets, everyone participates in this visual feast. Whether you’re dressing up as a giant fleur-de-lis, a superhero, or something completely bizarre, costumes are an essential part of the fun. And if you’re lucky enough to attend one of the lavish Mardi Gras balls (another great tradition of Carnival season), be prepared to see some of the most incredible, jaw-dropping costumes you’ve ever laid eyes on.
But costumes aren’t just for parade-goers. They’re also a key element of Mardi Gras Indians—a group of African American New Orleanians who pay tribute to Native American tribes. Their handmade costumes, adorned with feathers, beads, and sequins, are a dazzling work of art that can take months to create. The tradition of the Mardi Gras Indians reflects the fusion of African, Native American, and French influences that make New Orleans culture so unique.
Why Epiphany Matters
Epiphany is more than just the start of a season; it’s a reminder of the rich history and deep cultural roots that define New Orleans. It’s the beginning of a journey, one filled with music, food, art, and, most importantly, community. Mardi Gras is our city’s heartbeat—and January 6th is when the parade of joy begins, leading us to the culmination of it all on Fat Tuesday.
For us in New Orleans, Carnival season is a time to come together, embrace the good times, and make memories that last a lifetime. So, if you find yourself in New Orleans during Epiphany, don’t just think of it as the start of Mardi Gras—think of it as the start of something bigger. It’s a season of celebration, unity, and tradition that makes this city unlike any other in the world.
And don’t forget to grab a slice of king cake while you’re here. It’s a sweet way to kick off the festivities—and who knows? You might just get the baby!
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