Mardi Gras 2012 Around the World | New Orleans Mardi Gras 2012

2012 Mardi Gras and Carnivals Around the World

A swirl of color, music, costumes, and crowds, Mardi Gras is the last day before the start of Lent. This year it falls on February 21, 2012. Each of the countries that celebrates Mardi Gras does it in an inimitable way, blending its culture and traditions into the event's parades and revelry. In many places Mardi Gras (literally "Fat Tuesday") is part of an extended celebration known as Carnival.

By: Susan Breslow

January 26, 2012

Source: Getty Images.

The biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the USA, New Orleans' street party is known for its elaborate floats constructed by different Krewes (aka private clubs). As they progress through the streets, Krewe riders toss beaded necklaces into raucous crowds. Mardi Gras season 2012 starts about two weeks before February 21, each day building to bigger fanfare and syncopated with the rhythms of New Orleans jazz. In addition to famous New Orleans cooking, Mardi Gras brings with it king cakes, each containing a tiny plastic baby — so bite carefully. If you get it, you buy the next one.

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