Carnival vs. Mardi Gras: What’s the difference? (2024)

Carnival seasons in Venice, Italy, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are among the best known and most popular. There’s also Cologne Karneval in Germany, Nice Carnaval in France, Oruro Carnival in Bolivia, Binche Carnaval in Belgium, Spain’s Tenerife Carnaval in the Canary Islands, and festivities across the Caribbean—from Cuba to Trinidad and Tobago.

But only one place is known worldwide for Mardi Gras. That’s New Orleans, home to the longest frolicking season that begins with Carnival and ends with the famed Mardi Gras. The difference in the celebrations lies in the details.

“The most important Carnivals across the world are in New Orleans, Rio and Venice,” says Errol Laborde, a New Orleans-based Carnival and Mardi Gras historian. “Rio is more of a dance and parade kind of Carnival. Venice is more of a visual, costume kind of Carnival. Rio doesn’t have throws like we do in New Orleans.”

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While all the events have their own special something, at the heart of the traditions is the celebration of life, simply having fun before the season of penitence under the Christian faith known as Lent.

“Carnival in Brazil and Mardi Gras in New Orleans are very different, but deep down they have the same essence,” Andreza Trivillan, a native Brazilian travel blogger who has visited Louisiana’s Carnival, explained in an email. “No accessories are thrown to the crowds. There is no typical Carnival food or drink in Brazil, unlike what happens with king cake in New Orleans.”

Arthur Hardy, the founder of Arthur Hardy’s Mardi Gras Guide, knows a thing or two about Carnival and Mardi Gras. It burns him up when people–even people in New Orleans–confuse the two. “Carnival is a season. Mardi Gras is a day,” says Hardy. The glossy, everything-you-want-to-know guidehas published for 48 years with plenty of factoids and information about Louisiana balls, kings, queens, and other traditions.

The role of krewes

In New Orleans, there are Carnival organizations, known as krewes, that host formal balls, costume balls, parties, receptions, and parades. Some are super krewes. Others are mid-size krewes. Still others are sub-krewes. And there are micro-krewes. Some parades include specially built theme floats. Lots of parades have “throws,” stuff float riders toss to paradegoers who like to collect whatever they can get their hands on, especially plastic beads and parade-specific items. The Krewe of Muses shares individually decorated women’s high-heel shoes. The Krewe of Zulu no longer tosses their signature throw to prevent injuries: these days riders in this mostly Black krewe place hand-painted coconuts in the hands of revelers.

Carnival in New Orleans and elsewhere in Louisiana is longer than those other places because it is strictly tied to the Lenten season. It starts on January 6, Epiphany, the holiday that commemorates the day the three wise men or kings paid a visit to baby Jesus in Bethlehem offering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Celebrations this year conclude with Mardi Gras on February 13, the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent, a day that changes from year to year. Carnival in New Orleans was 48 days last year. This year it’s 38 days.

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Businesses, street performers and vendors who count on Carnival to make a living don’t like short Carnival seasons. It means less time to make money. Bakeries in New Orleans bake scrumptious king cakes with and without filling, all covered with traditional Mardi Gras colors– purple, green, and gold. One bakery might bake 500 king cakes a day. Five hundred cakes a day for two weeks is far different from the revenue they make during a month-long season.

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“If you want to blame somebody for that, blame it on the pope,” Hardy says with a laugh.

Fun packed into a single day

As Hardy says, Mardi Gras is a single day. It’s always 47 days before Easter, so the Mardi Gras date changes with the church calendar. The day before is the next to last day of Carnival, Lundi Gras, or Fat Monday. Mardi Gras translates to Fat Tuesday. Some call it Shrove Tuesday. Most call it the Greatest Free Party on Earth, or the Greatest Free Show on Earth. The Mayor’s Mardi Gras Advisory Council plans an official “parade season,” designated by law as the 12 days before Mardi Gras.

Each year, paradegoers eagerly anticipate the krewe parade themes. Some always focus on fantasy. “Iris Travels the World.” Some have celebrity kings or queens. Actor Kevin Dillon, of the movies Platoon and Entourage, is this year’s king of the Krewe of Bacchus. Named after the one Egyptian queen nearly everyone knows, the Krewe of Nerfetti has a family parade with singer Tarriona Tank Ball of the musical group, Tank and the Bangas, as their queen. She’ll lead their “Bloom Where You Are Planted” parade. Musicians Flo Rida and Sting aren’t kings with the Krewe of Endymion, but they will perform at the glitzy Endymion extravaganza party attended by thousands.

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There are Carnival activities across Louisiana. The Krewe of Hyacinthians rolls in Houma. The Baton Rouge region has its own set of parades, including the Mardi Paws Dog Parade, the Krewe of Spanish Town and the Krewe of Orion. Monroe and West Monroe paradegoers enjoy the Twin Cities’s Krew de Riviere Mardi Gras Parade and the Krewe of Janus. People in Lafayette give a nod to Carnival elsewhere with the Krewe of Carnivale en Rio Mardi Gras Parade and the Krewe of Canailles—loosely translated as the Krewe of Scoundrels—intended to welcome the riffraff, the masses, anybody and everybody.

In New Orleans, Carnival and Mardi Gras are weeks of having a good time. Residents and visitors choose what a “good time” means for them. They can go places where anything might happen, and everything might be seen. Some avoid parades and opt for balls and parties. The parades also can be seen at WWL Louisiana Parade Tracker App; WDSU Parade Tracker; and NOLA.COM.

Everyone knows it’s an important part of the culture. It’s also big business.

Economic impact

A recent economic impact study prepared by New Orleans and Company, the mayor’s advisory council, and Tulane University shows tremendous impact on the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana. There’s a direct and indirect impact on the city of $891,202,780 and a net fiscal benefit of $28 million. The state gets about $14 million in taxes.

“Compared to any other event, here or elsewhere, there’s no other event like Carnival,” says Kelly Schulz, senior vice president for communications and public relations at New Orleans & Company. “It’s unreal that we can do this every year. It’s a masterful execution ... It’s the best and most complex event we have.”

There’s a saying in New Orleans that captures the season: Laissez les bons temps rouler! — Let the good times roll!

Will Sutton, a New Orleans native, started going to Carnival and Mardi Gras parades as a child. He marched in several parades with the St. Augustine High School Marching 100. Email him at editorwillsutton@gmail.com.

Carnival vs. Mardi Gras: What’s the difference? (2024)

FAQs

Carnival vs. Mardi Gras: What’s the difference? ›

Carnival is a time to eat, drink and be merry before the rigorous fasting and sacrifice during Lent. It is filled with parades, balls and other celebrations leading up to Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday.” Mardi Gras is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

What are the differences between Mardi Gras and Carnival? ›

Carnival is a Season; Mardi Gras is a day.

Technically, “Mardi Gras” is the last Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and ushers in 40 days of best behavior during Lent, and “Carnival” is the season that begins on the Feast of Epiphany, January 6.

What is the difference between how Mardi Gras is celebrated in New Orleans vs Carnival is celebrated in Brazil? ›

New Orleans' Mardi Gras and Brazil's Carnival are elaborate celebrations days before Lent starts. Mardi Gras' famous parades have eccentric costumes, floats, and traditions. Carnival's celebrations include intricate shows from samba dancers.

Which of the following is a difference between Mardi Gras and the Carnaval Ponceño? ›

Final answer:

The key difference between Mardi Gras and Carnaval Ponceno lies in their distinct celebrations and color themes.

What makes Mardi Gras special? ›

It was initially celebrated by European Christians as a way to mark the beginning of Lent and to prepare for the fasting period of Easter. Today, it is one of the world's most colorful and vibrant festivals, featuring party-like parades, elaborate costumes, lively music, and indulgent feasting.

What does krewe stand for? ›

A krewe is, simply, a club or organization that exists to celebrate Carnival. But while a krewe has royalty, the positions of king and queen are merely ceremonial. The identities of the queen and her maids are usually public, while the identities of kings are often secret—Rex being a notable exception.

Is Royal Caribbean as good as Carnival? ›

Assuming both cruise lines can fit your date, destination and amenity preferences, Royal Caribbean comes out ahead. This is particularly true if your budget can accommodate the higher cost for interior cabins and/or you aren't traveling with kids.

Where did Carnival originate? ›

Historians say they believe the first "modern" Caribbean Carnival originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the late 18th century when a flood of French settlers brought the Fat Tuesday masquerade party tradition with them to the island, although Fat Tuesday celebrations were almost certainly taking place at least a century ...

How long does a Carnival last? ›

Carnival occurs at the same time seasonally each year. The festival lasts five days in most places, beginning on the Friday afternoon before the Christian holiday of Ash Wednesday and ending on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. In some places, such as Rio de Janeiro, the festival lasts a full week.

What happens on Fat Tuesday in New Orleans? ›

Mardi Gras Day - also known as Fat Tuesday - marks the final day of Carnival Season! It is always the day before Ash Wednesday, and is the biggest day of celebration during Mardi Gras. Zulu and Rex parades roll, but other parties and city-wide celebrations occur as well.

Why are they called krewes? ›

The word is thought to have been coined in the early 19th century by a New Orleans-based organization calling themselves Ye Mistick Krewe of Comus, as an archaic affectation; with time, it became the most common term for a New Orleans Carnival organization.

Why do they call it Fat Tuesday? ›

Recent News. Mardi Gras, festive day celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which marks the close of the pre-Lenten season. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent in preparation for fasting and abstinence.

What is the Monday before Fat Tuesday called? ›

What is Lundi Gras? The Monday immediately before Mardi Gras Day – also called Lundi Gras, “Fat Monday,” or “Shrove Monday” – holds its own ever-evolving traditions and celebrations. Prior to 1987, Monday was typically a day of rest, a welcomed break between the weekend and Mardi Gras Day.

What does Carnival celebrate? ›

It possibly has its roots in a primitive festival honouring the beginning of the new year and the rebirth of nature, though it is also possible that the beginnings of Carnival in Italy may be linked to the pagan Saturnalian festival of ancient Rome.

What is the difference between a Carnival and a circus? ›

A carnival is typically a temporary event, often held with a fair or festival. It typically features various attractions such as rides, games, and food booths. A circus, on the other hand, is a traveling show that typically features performances by acrobats, clowns, and animals.

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