(Spoiler Alert: It Starts the Moment Christmas Ends) 💜💚💛
By Karen Brem, Marketing Director, Historic Mardi Gras Inn
In New Orleans, Christmas doesn’t end — it transforms.
The ornaments come off the tree, and almost immediately, they’re replaced with purple, green, and gold. 🎄➡️🎭
City-wide. No pause. No recovery period. Just a collective shrug and a joyful, “Well… guess it’s Mardi Gras now.”
Because here in New Orleans, the moment the Christmas decorations come down, Mardi Gras decorations go UP — and from that point on, the celebration is officially ON. 🎉
If you’re waiting until February to think about Mardi Gras, darling… you’re already late.
🎭 So When Does Mardi Gras Actually Start?
Mardi Gras season officially begins on Twelfth Night (January 6) — also known as King’s Day. 👑
That’s when New Orleans flips the switch:
- King cakes appear everywhere
- Beads start decorating bars, porches, and balconies
- Parade schedules start filling up
- And the slow, delicious build toward Fat Tuesday begins
Mardi Gras isn’t a sprint — it’s a glitter-filled marathon, and the early weeks are some of the best-kept secrets. ✨
👑 King Cake Season = Serious Business
Once Twelfth Night hits, king cake season is in full swing — and New Orleans does not play around.
King cakes are:
- Sweet, cinnamon-filled, icing-covered perfection
- Decorated in classic Mardi Gras colors 💜💚💛
- Found in bakeries, offices, hotel lobbies, bars, and living rooms
And yes — there’s a tiny plastic baby hidden inside.
If you get the baby, congratulations… you’re officially responsible for the next cake. 🎂😂
💜💚💛 The Meaning Behind the Mardi Gras Colors
Those iconic colors aren’t just festive — they’re tradition:
- 💜 Purple = Justice
- 💚 Green = Faith
- 💛 Gold = Power
By mid-January, the entire city is glowing in these colors — from costumes and beads to buildings dressed up and ready to party.
🎺 Yes, Parades Start EARLY
Here’s something first-time visitors often don’t realize:
Some of the most beloved Mardi Gras parades roll weeks before Fat Tuesday.
Early-season favorites like Krewe du Vieux kick things off in mid-January with satire, creativity, and a very local vibe that longtime revelers love.
From there, the season builds:
- More parades
- More nights out
- More beads
- More reasons to plan more than just one night
Waiting until the “big week” often means missing some of the most fun.
📍 Why Location Matters (Especially Early in the Season)
This is where planning smart really pays off.
Historic Mardi Gras Inn is located one short block off the French Quarter and just steps from the streetcar — which means:
- 🚶 Walk to early parades and nightlife in the Quarter
- 🚋 Hop on the streetcar for parade routes along St. Charles Avenue
- 🎭 Skip driving, parking, and rideshare chaos
- 😌 Come home to a calmer spot when the party winds down
Early Mardi Gras season is pure magic — lighter crowds, easier movement, and that locals-know-this-is-the-good-part energy.
🌈 A Proudly LGBTQ+ Owned Hotel
Historic Mardi Gras Inn is proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated, and Mardi Gras is the ultimate celebration of self-expression, creativity, and joy.
Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, with your partner, or with your chosen family, you’ll find a welcoming, inclusive place to land right here. Everyone belongs at Mardi Gras — and everyone is welcome at our inn. 🏳️🌈💜
📞 Ready to Start the Season the Right Way?
If Mardi Gras is even thinking about appearing on your calendar, now is the time to lock in your stay and enjoy the season from the very beginning.
📞 Call Historic Mardi Gras Inn at 504-949-5815
📞 Toll-free: 1-800-209-9408
🌐 Visit us online at https://www.historicmardigrasinn.com
From Christmas ornaments to king cake crumbs, New Orleans wastes no time — the city is already in celebration mode.
Two days out and New Orleans is already dressed, prepped, and absolutely ready — Mardi Gras is about to begin. 🎭💜💚💛