Which U.S. city is famous for its Mardi Gras celebration?

The U.S. city most famously associated with Mardi Gras is New Orleans.

New Orleans’ Mardi Gras is the culmination of a Carnival season that traditionally begins on January 6, also called Epiphany or Twelfth Night, and ends on Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The city’s celebrations are known for elaborate parades, masked balls, marching groups, music, and “throws” such as beads and doubloons.

The city’s organized parade tradition expanded in the 19th century. Bernard de Marigny helped fund a major celebration in 1833, and in 1857 the Mistick Krewe of Comus established a formal secret society and parade model. Later krewes, including Rex, Zulu, Endymion, and Bacchus, shaped the modern festival.

Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” referring to the traditional feast before Lent. New Orleans is the best-known U.S. association, although Mobile, Alabama, also has an important and older Mardi Gras tradition.