Let the Good Times Roll
This is the English translation of the French phrase Mardi Gras.
Fat Tuesday
The official colors of Mardi Gras are this trio.
green, gold, and purple
Symbolically, green means faith, gold power, and purple justice.
This iconic New Orleans street is known for its jazz clubs and vibrant nightlife.
Bourbon Street
This small token is baked inside traditional king cakes
baby figurine
Whoever gets the slice with the baby wins good luck and must host the next party
Made from this material, trumpets are often heard leading Mardi Gras parades in the city
brass
With a name meaning “king,” this is one of the oldest Mardi Gras krewes, known for public service
Krewe of Rex
It was established in 1872 and set Mardi Gras colors and many other traditions still followed today.
Mardi Gras is always celebrated on this day of the week
Tuesday
The date changes annually, but it is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Early Mardi Gras revelers wore these to hide their identity.
masks
Still part of celebrations today, they originally served to break social norms and boundaries, allowing rich and poor to revel equally.
New Orleans’ famous zoo is located in this large park.
Audubon Park
These are deep-fried, donut-like treats served with a powdered sugar dusting, a NOLA favorite.
beignets
They were popularized by the Café du Monde, though many New Orleans eateries now serve the treat.
This NOLA musical legend was known by the nickname “Satchmo.”
Louis Armstrong
The nickname was short for “Satchel Mouth” and celebrated his unique skill and style in trumpeting.
This symbol is typically found atop a king cake
crown
The symbol is a nod to Epiphany traditions and celebrates the three kings who visited the baby Jesus.
These wearable trinkets are sometimes thrown from Mardi Gras floats to parade-goers
beads/beaded necklaces
The trinkets thrown are unique to each krewe (social groups that organize the festivities).
These are worn by Mardi Gras royalty
crowns
Each parade has a king or queen, representing that parade‘s krewe as the festive leader
This type of music was born in New Orleans and is closely associated with the city.
jazz
New Orleans, home to legends like Louis Armstrong, is called the “birthplace of jazz.”
This Creole dish is a spicy treat made with stewed sausage, chicken, or shrimp cooked with rice.
jambalaya
This lively and unique Louisiana music genre blends French, Creole, and blues and features instruments like the washboard and accordion.
zydeco
The name comes from a French expression for hard times, les haricots ne sont pas salés (“the beans aren’t salty”).
This name is given to the Monday before Mardi Gras.
Lundi Gras
“Fat Monday” is celebrated with parades and parties leading up to the big celebration on Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras marks the end of this season in New Orleans
Carnival Season
This season begins on Twelfth Night (January 6) and ends with Mardi Gras.
These social groups are the organizers of Mardi Gras parades, balls, and other events.
krewes
Pronounced crew, many of these groups are over 100 years old, and each has unique traditions.
This river runs alongside New Orleans
Mississippi
Proximity to this large, bustling river has been vital to the city’s trade, history, and culture for hundreds of years.
This New Orleans seafood stew is cooked with a thick roux base, okra, or filé powder as a thickener.
gumbo
Although similar to jambalaya, gumbo is cooked separately from the rice and relies on other thickening agents.
A local festival each spring celebrates this genre of music.
jazz
Jazz Fest, or the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, attracts fans and musicians from around the globe.
They founded the Krewe of Tucks, noted for their humorous parade floats and silly trinkets.
college students
This krewe is known for giving out toilet-themed trinkets, among other zany traditions.
This is the official slogan of Mardi Gras, often heard during celebrations
Laissez le bons temps rouler
The phrase means “Let the good times roll” and encapsulates the Mardi Gras spirit.
This type of large gold coin is often thrown from parade floats, representing prosperity
doubloons
The tradition started with the Krewe of Rex in 1960, and collectors prize the unique tokens.
This famed church sits at the heart of Jackson Square.
St. Louis Cathedral
Notably, it is one of the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedrals in the nation.
These sandwiches, often featuring fried shrimp and served on long loaves of French bread, are a New Orleans staple.
po’ boys
These marching groups are often seen (and heard) accompanying floats and parades during Mardi Gras
brass bands
Uniquely, many of these bands improvise the tunes they play as they are marching, lending a festive tone to their music.
King cakes originated around the 12th century in this country
France
The cakes were baked in a circle to honor the route taken by the three kings.