Mardi Gras, literally translating to “Fat Tuesday” from French, signifies the last day of indulgence before the Lenten season’s period of fasting and reflection. However, the celebration in New Orleans and beyond is a vibrant, two-month long affair steeped in history and tradition.

According to New Orleans & Company, the city’s tourism bureau, “Mardi Gras is a season of celebration that begins on January 6 and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. It’s a time for parades, parties, and revelry, but it’s also a time for community and tradition.”

New Orleans, the home of American Mardi Gras, embodies this spirit. From early January, the city transforms into a kaleidoscope of colors, music and parades. Krewes, the social organizations that plan and execute the parades, roll through the streets with elaborate floats, throwing beads, doubloons and other trinkets to eager crowds.

The festivities are more than just a party, they’re a cultural phenomenon. Each parade has its own unique theme and style, reflecting the diverse communities and traditions of New Orleans. The iconic purple, green and gold colors symbolize justice, faith and power, respectively.

While Fat Tuesday is the most well-known day, the preceding weeks are filled with a crescendo of events, building up to the final day of revelry. On Fat Tuesday itself, the streets are packed with costumed revelers, enjoying the final moments of indulgence before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a 40 day period of sacrificing something to become closer to Christ in the Christian faith. Mardi Gras is a time for celebration, community and a rich cultural heritage that continues to captivate people around the world.