Nearly 1.5 million people head to New Orleans each year between early February and early March to enjoy the Mardi Gras festivities. A whirlwind of vibrant music, captivating performances, and colorful parades turn the streets into a lively Carnival celebration. If you can’t make it to the Big Easy this year to celebrate, bring the excitement to you with a Mardi Gras theme party. Read on to discover Mardi Gras party ideas that will transform your event into an authentic New Orleans-style bash!
The Origins of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years to pagan Roman festivals of spring and fertility but evolved into a religious festival with the influence of Christianity. Instead of abandoning the Roman traditions, the festival and parties, also called Carnival in different parts of the world, became a perfect prelude to Lent. The name Mardi Gras means “fat Tuesday” in French and signifies the traditional feasting on all the rich and fatty foods before 40 days of fasting that begins on Ash Wednesday.
When French explorers arrived near modern-day New Orleans in 1699, they brought the Mardi Gras celebration with them. Over the years, the festival grew into large, lavish street parties and balls inspired by Parisian festivities. In the 1850s, a businessman named Mistick Krewe of Comus organized marching bands, floats, and torch-led parades that would remain an integral part of the famous New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations.
Mardi Gras Decor
Mardi Gras is a vibrant and colorful celebration. Create the right ambiance with your party decorations by including festive items like masks, feathers, and references to New Orleans. Most importantly, honor the holiday’s history by including plenty of the traditional Mardi Gras colors.
Create a carnival of color
Mardi Gras party decorations should include the classic color combination of purple, green, and gold, representing justice, faith, and power. From garland to balloons to feathers, use these colors throughout every corner of your event space to create an authentic experience.
Give your space a mask-over
The history of Mardi Gras masks traces back to medieval Europe when masked balls and masquerades were popular during Carnival season. When Mardi Gras celebrations arrived in America, the tradition of wearing masks continued, allowing revelers to embrace anonymity, break social barriers, and indulge in a bit of mischief without judgment. Plan a masquerade theme party, make your own masks, or use them as decor.
String together a bead-dazzling bash
The throwing of beads originated in the 19th century when a king threw fake jewelry to the crowd at a Carnival celebration. By the early 1920s, one of the krewes, a club or group that exists to celebrate Carnival, started throwing glass beads during parades. Colorful beads are now classic Mardi Gras, and there are many ways to use them throughout your party!
Mardi Gras Menu
Food and Mardi Gras go together like red beans and rice. To celebrate the holiday right, indulge in a great selection of food and drinks. Plan a menu with plenty of regional flavors and cocktails celebrating the area’s rich culinary history and influence.
Nosh on NOLA specialties
The food of the Big Easy is world-renowned. Your Mardi Gras meals should include New Orleans classics and the unmatched cajun and creole flavors. Go big with a seafood boil, or keep it simple with a classic New Orleans sandwich or slow-cooker jambalaya.
Jazz up your libations
Put the bourbon in Bourbon Street with some tasty cocktails. Indulge in the lively spirit of New Orleans with drinks that pay homage to the town that practically wrote the book on celebrations. Hurricanes are sold at every bar in the French Quarter, so they are a must-have for your Mardi Gras party.
Indulge in sugar-coated revelry
Complete your party menu with tasty desserts that are guaranteed to impress. Mardi Gras king cakes and bourbon-infused bread will leave your taste buds dancing the second line. And some traditional New Orleans beignets will have your guests feeling like they’re sitting at Café Du Monde.
🍸Pro tip: Bring in a professional — hire a bartender to whip up cocktails for your guests throughout your event!
Mardi Gras Entertainment
To find ideas for entertainment at your event, look no further than to the streets of New Orleans to find Mardi Gras inspiration. During the festival, the streets are filled with parades, live music, games, and a variety of performers, and hiring performers is the best way to ensure your guests have the experience of a lifetime.
Groove into Mardi Gras
With New Orleans having such a rich music history, it’s no surprise that the sounds of Mardi Gras are wildly entertaining and thrilling. Ignite your party with the traditional sounds by hiring talented musicians. Cajun bands, zydeco bands, brass bands, and various jazz groups are commonly heard and would be an excellent choice for any Mardi Gras party.
Stir up a little competition
The Carnival season is an invitation to celebrate and let loose. Create a fun Mardi Gras party by planning games for guests to enjoy. Play a unique card game from Louisianna called Bourrè, explore a murder mystery theme with an interactive game, or put all those beads to use in various bead games!
Excite with engaging entertainers
The streets of the Big Easy are filled with captivating performers, like mesmerizing mimes, stilt walkers, and fire dancers. Bring the exhilarating performances of New Orleans to your event and create a truly unique Mardi Gras experience for your guests.
The joyful spirit of Mardi Gras is infectious. It encourages people to let loose and cast aside inhibitions in the name of community and celebrating life. With these creative Mardi Gras party ideas, you can ensure a memorable experience at your event. Laissez les bons temps rouler! 💜💚💛
Book something awesome for your Mardi Gras party! Find musicians, performers, bartenders, and more on GigSalad.
Matt Holland is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad. With 10+ years of experience performing as a jazz drummer, he has gained insights into the life of a gigging musician as well what makes an event go off without a hitch. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, cooking messy meals, and watching the newest TV shows with his wife.