Posted by on January 10, 2018

Many cities around the world celebrate “Mardi Gras” or Shrove Tuesday! This is an annual celebration held on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Enjoy these 10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash.

Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”- meaning it is the last opportunity to eat rich food before the fast of Lent begins. It is related to celebrations elsewhere, called “carnivals,” from the Latin words carne and vale“meat” and “farewell,” meaning a farewell to meat before the abstinence of Lent.

In modern times, the Lent part of this celebration has gone by the way side but the Party remains.

Here are 10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash:

Goa, India

10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash

The Portuguese brought this holiday based on Catholic tradition to this coastal Indian resort town. Over the years, celebrants have localized this celebration. They have began to douse each other with buckets of colored water, as is the custom for the country’s popular Hindu festival of Holi. goatourism.gov.in

Trinidad and Tobago

10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash

The Caribbean’s biggest Mardi Gras builds its party around calypso and soca music performances and competition. The celebration, which brings African and Caribbean influences to a traditional Carnival, is known for exuberant dancing and parades. gotrinidadandtobago.com

Binche, Belgium

10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash

Forget beads. In Belgium, revelers throw oranges to eager parade crowds. It’s a symbol of spring. People traditionally dress up in red costumes with wooden clogs, and dance with brooms to chase away evil spirts. The centuries-old celebration has even won recognition from UNESCO for its historic significance. visitbelgium.com

Mobile, Ala.,USA

10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash

While New Orleans gets all the attention, the continent’s oldest Mardi Gras is in Mobile. The celebration, a city-wide holiday, includes dozens of parades and huge formal balls, attracting thousands of white-tie celebrants. Popular parade floats include Vernadean, a fire-breathing, 150-foot dragon that stars in the Mystics of Time parade. Another local twist: Crowds eagerly vie for Moon Pies, which are thrown from floats. mobile.org

Quebec City, Canada

10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash

If you see a giant snowman around historic Quebec City, it doesn’t mean you’ve been partying too much. It’s Bonhomme, the official mascot and symbol of this northern climes carnival. You’ll see a lot of ice and snow sculptures. There’s dog sled races, along with many outdoor activities. While you won’t find flashy samba outfits, there are many Balls/parties, culminating with the crowning of the King and Queen of the Carnivale. Don’t forget to ask locales what they are drinking? You be enjoyably surprised! carnaval.qc.ca

Nice, France

10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash

This Mediterranean city claims to have the world’s oldest Carnival, dating to 1294. It builds its 15-day festival around blossoms. “They do flower battles and flower parades with floats made just of flowers. Costumed paraders even throw mimosas, gerberas and lilies to the crowds. nicecarnaval.com/en

New Orleans,USA

10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash

This is Amerrica’s most famous Carnival. It has a bit of a reputation, but definetly offers a hell of good time.

If your not into that kind of a Bash, New Orleans, also gives you the opportunity to experience another kind of Mardi Gras. If you stay out of the French Quarter and off Bourbon Street, there are many of the parades that are neighborhood focused and family-friendly.

To get an up-close view of the floats without crowds, visit Mardi Gras World, a warehouse-museum where floats are displayed year-round. neworleansonline.com

Venice, Italy

10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash

This elegant, upscale party is best known for elaborate costumes, masks and balls. It’s a fancier, posher and more expensive celebration. Sometimes people rent the costumes. It’s amazing how beautiful the outfits are. Year-round, visitors can tour the workshops where the masks are designed and made. venice-tourism.com/en

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash

Famous for skimpy costumes and glittery parades, the world’s biggest Carnival attracts huge crowds. Samba schools, similar to crews in New Orleans, lead parades to the Sambadrome, a football-sized stadium for parades and competitions. Tours can bring visitors to Samba schools and some will even offer a chance to parade. Officially it goes on for five days, but the party in Rio can start months in advance. rio-carnival.net

Cologne, Germany

10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash

While most cities celebrate Carnival for a few weeks, Cologne begins on Nov. 11, and keeps partying all the way to Fat Tuesday. Highlights include the burning of a straw figure, a rose parade and all-night drinking. They call it the crazy days and they suspend closing times for pubs and bars. cologne-tourism.com

 

Have fun and enjoy these amazing 10 Cities that know how to throw a Mardi Gras Bash. Many of these cities have large Gay Venues, with many Gay ways to get into good trouble. But, always remember to have your street smarts with you, along with your Gaydar. Stay safe!

Go ahead and book now.


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