Mardi Gras festivals vary from country to country. There’s an emphasis on food in some countries, drink in others, or a party atmosphere with even more panache than usual. In French, ‘Mardi Gras’ represents Fat Tuesday, which is our (UK) Shrove Tuesday. For some this is the last day to completely annihilate your favourite food before lent and for others (myself included), it’s Pancake Day. The day I eat copious amounts of flour that’s gone on a pan for a minute and flavoured with lemon and sugar.
Different countries celebrate in different ways and here’s a quick round-up of what to expect depending on the area you are travelling.
US: Mardi Gras first came to America in 1699 and was only celebrated in a few places and still isn’t recognised everywhere. With this in mind, the best place for you to party is New Orleans. Here you’ll be able to catch the most popular parades like Endymion, Bacchus, Zulu, Rex and many more. For more information on the different celebrations head to Mardi Gras New Orleans.
Italy: In Italian Martedi Grasso also includes my favourite carnevale di Venice. Beginning in the days of ancient Rome until now, this festival has been celebrated throughout Italy in the best way Italians know how to- a lot of food, drink and detailed dresses. No matter where you are in the country, head to any bar or pasticceria for food made specifically for the occasion.
Australia: In Sydney the parade is recognised as the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, or Mardi Gras. The event started as an attempt to bring about public acceptance of homosexuality and as a retaliation to police brutality in the 1970s. The event is vibrant, bright and beautiful. Whether it’s a cruise you’re after or a club, the Mardi Gras festival highlights will help you decide.
Colombia: Carnaval de Barranquilla is Colombia’s Mardi Gras celebration. In 2003, it was proclaimed as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Whether it’s the 5k run, the parade or the festival, you’re encouraged to dress-up, show-up and roll with the flow. Colombia hosts four days of intense activities so you can fully immerse yourself in the celebrations.
Brazil: Carnival is the most famous Brazilian holiday and all over Brazil you’ll find samba incorporated into the events. Carnival is also when Brazil attracts 70% of its tourists, which isn’t a surprise considering that if someone mentioned the word ‘carnival’ you’d probably think of Brazil. The Rio Carnival attracts two million people who celebrate in the city.
UK: This is also somewhere I can recommend a few places to get stuck into the festivities. As I plan to. By now you’ll know that Mardi Gras in English means Fat Tuesday and on this particular Fat Tuesday, being in England doesn’t mean you’re missing out on the contagious carnival spirit around the world.
You can definitely celebrate at Kansas Smitty’s and Shotgun Carousel’s Mardi Gras carnival on the 5th and 6th of February. The Vaults in London will be hosting this two-day New Orleans inspired party. You’ll be celebrating this carnival in true Mardi Gras style, so don’t forget to use your imagination and dress up for two nights of live music, delicious cocktails and food. Get your tickets at Mardi Gras London.
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