Mardi Gras, also known as “Fat Tuesday,” is a vibrant and colorful celebration filled with parades, music, and revelry. It has deep historical roots and fascinating traditions that make it one of the most exciting festivals in the world. If you want to test your knowledge or simply learn more about this incredible event, here are some intriguing Mardi Gras trivia questions and answers.
The History of Mardi Gras
What is the origin of Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras has its origins in medieval Europe, especially in France and Italy. The tradition was brought to the United States by French explorers in the 17th century. It became widely celebrated in New Orleans, Louisiana, where it has grown into the famous festival we know today.
Why is it called “Mardi Gras”?
“Mardi Gras” is French for “Fat Tuesday.” The name comes from the practice of feasting on rich, fatty foods before the Christian season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.
When was the first Mardi Gras in the U.S. celebrated?
The first recorded Mardi Gras celebration in the United States took place in 1699 when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville arrived in present-day Louisiana.
Mardi Gras Trivia Questions And Answers
Here is a list of 101 Mardi Gras trivia questions and answers, organized by category:
General Mardi Gras Knowledge
Q: What city is known for hosting the largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States?
A: New Orleans, Louisiana
Q: Mardi Gras is French for what?
A: Fat Tuesday
Q: What is the traditional color scheme of Mardi Gras?
A: Purple, green, and gold
Q: What is the official flower of Mardi Gras?
A: The Iris (also known as the “Mardi Gras” iris)
Q: What do people throw during Mardi Gras parades?
A: Beads, coins (doubloons), and other trinkets
Q: In what year was the first Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans?
A: 1837
Q: What is a “krewe”?
A: A social organization that puts on a parade or ball for Mardi Gras
Q: What type of cake is traditionally eaten during Mardi Gras?
A: King cake
Q: What is hidden inside a king cake?
A: A small plastic baby (or sometimes a coin)
Q: What happens to the person who finds the baby in the king cake?
A: They are expected to host the next King Cake party or provide the next cake
Mardi Gras History
Q: Who is credited with bringing Mardi Gras to New Orleans?
A: Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville
Q: Mardi Gras marks the final day of what season?
A: The Carnival season
Q: What is the traditional name of the first day of Mardi Gras celebrations?
A: Twelfth Night
Q: Mardi Gras celebrations have been held annually in New Orleans since which year?
A: 1857
Q: What is the significance of the date of Mardi Gras?
A: It is the last day before the start of Lent in the Christian calendar
Q: In which country did the tradition of Mardi Gras originate?
A: France
Q: What famous Mardi Gras event was first held in 1857?
A: The Krewe of Comus parade
Q: In which year did Mardi Gras in New Orleans first feature a parade with floats?
A: 1857
Q: What was the original purpose of Mardi Gras celebrations?
A: To mark the end of the Carnival season before Lent began
Q: What does the word “Carnival” mean?
A: “Farewell to meat,” referring to the tradition of eating rich food before the fasting period of Lent
Mardi Gras Traditions
Q: What song is considered the unofficial anthem of Mardi Gras?
A: “When the Saints Go Marching In”
Q: What type of dance is often seen during Mardi Gras celebrations?
A: The second line dance
Q: What is the name of the traditional Mardi Gras parade held in the French Quarter?
A: The Krewe of St. Anne Parade
Q: What is a “flambeaux”?
A: A torch bearer, often seen in parades
Q: What is the name of the famous New Orleans street where much of the Mardi Gras festivities take place?
A: Bourbon Street
Q: What is the “Mardi Gras Indians”?
A: African-American groups who create elaborate costumes and parade through the city
Q: What does the term “throw me something, mister” refer to?
A: A phrase shouted by revelers during parades to ask for beads or other trinkets
Q: What does the color purple represent in Mardi Gras?
A: Justice
Q: What does the color green represent in Mardi Gras?
A: Faith
Q: What does the color gold represent in Mardi Gras?
A: Power
Mardi Gras Foods
Q: What is the name of the fried dough treat that is popular during Mardi Gras?
A: Beignets
Q: What type of drink is often enjoyed during Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans?
A: Hurricane cocktail
Q: What type of seafood dish is a New Orleans Mardi Gras specialty?
A: Crawfish
Q: What is the traditional filling in a King Cake?
A: It can be filled with cream cheese, cinnamon, or other sweet fillings, but sometimes it’s just a plain cake with colored icing
Q: What kind of meat is often used in a traditional Mardi Gras po’boy sandwich?
A: Fried shrimp or roast beef
Q: What is a “gumbo”?
A: A hearty stew made with meat or seafood, vegetables, and a thickener like okra or roux
Q: What is the name of the spicy, sausage-filled dish that is popular in New Orleans during Mardi Gras?
A: Jambalaya
Q: What is “étouffée”?
A: A Louisiana dish typically made with shellfish, vegetables, and a rich sauce
Q: What type of drink is served in many New Orleans bars during Mardi Gras?
A: Sazerac (a classic New Orleans cocktail)
Q: What sweet treat is often found in New Orleans bakeries during Mardi Gras?
A: King cake
Mardi Gras Parades and Krewes
Q: What is the oldest Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans?
A: The Krewe of Comus
Q: What is a “float” in Mardi Gras parades?
A: A decorated vehicle carrying members of a krewe or performers
Q: Which Mardi Gras krewe is known for its all-female membership?
A: The Krewe of Iris
Q: What is the name of the parade that features the famous “Mardi Gras Indians”?
A: The Super Sunday Parade
Q: What are “doubloons”?
A: Aluminum or wooden coins thrown from floats during Mardi Gras parades
Q: What does “throwing beads” refer to during Mardi Gras?
A: The tradition of tossing necklaces and other trinkets to parade watchers
Q: Which Mardi Gras parade is known for its “signature” masks?
A: The Krewe of Zulu Parade
Q: What type of people are often seen in “costumes” during Mardi Gras?
A: Revelers, parade participants, and Mardi Gras Indians
Q: What is a “masker”?
A: A person wearing a mask, often seen during Mardi Gras balls and parades
Q: What event marks the beginning of the Mardi Gras season?
A: The Krewe of Joan of Arc parade on Twelfth Night (January 6)
Famous Mardi Gras Figures
Q: Who is the “Mardi Gras King”?
A: Rex, the King of Carnival, is the symbolic figurehead of Mardi Gras
Q: Who is traditionally crowned the “Queen of Mardi Gras”?
A: The Queen of a krewe or Mardi Gras ball
Q: What is the name of the famous New Orleans jazz musician often associated with Mardi Gras celebrations?
A: Louis Armstrong
Q: What is the name of the Zulu king who symbolizes the Mardi Gras Zulu krewe?
A: King Zulu
Q: Which famous entertainer was a member of the Mardi Gras krewe “The Krewe of Orpheus”?
A: Harry Connick Jr.
Q: Who was the first female to serve as the captain of a New Orleans Mardi Gras krewe?
A: Missy E. L. O’Neal (The Krewe of Iris)
Q: Who famously performed the song “Mardi Gras Mambo”?
A: The Hawketts
Q: Which jazz legend is known for the song “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans”?
A: Louis Armstrong
Q: What famous politician once appeared in the Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans?
A: John F. Kennedy
Mardi Gras in Popular Culture
Q: Which animated TV show featured a Mardi Gras episode where the family visits New Orleans?
A: “The Simpsons” (Season 9, Episode 18 – “The Simpsons: Mardi Gras Episode”)
Q: In which 2009 film does Mardi Gras play a central role in the plot?
A: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Q: What 2001 animated film features a parade in New Orleans during Mardi Gras?
A: “The Princess and the Frog”
Q: Which pop star released a song called “Mardi Gras” in 2011?
A: Keith Urban
Q: What famous rock band performed in New Orleans during Mardi Gras 1991?
A: The Rolling Stones
Q: In what 1997 film does the protagonist attend a Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans?
A: “Steel Magnolias”
Q: What 2002 movie features a plotline involving a Mardi Gras parade?
A: “28 Days”
Q: What animated TV character is known for throwing beads during Mardi Gras in the show “The Simpsons”?
A: Homer Simpson
Q: In which musical film is Mardi Gras celebrated with extravagant costumes and floats?
A: “Les Misérables” (2012)
Q: What 1996 comedy features Mardi Gras as a key setting?
A: “The People vs. Larry Flynt”
Q: What movie features Mardi Gras celebrations at the climax, starring a well-known action hero?
A: “Jaws 2” (1978)
Mardi Gras Fun Facts
Q: How many beads are estimated to be thrown during Mardi Gras in New Orleans each year?
A: Over 25 million beads
Q: Which U.S. president declared Mardi Gras a legal holiday in Louisiana?
A: Governor Stephen Morehouse
Q: How long does Mardi Gras season last?
A: Typically from January 6th (Epiphany) to Fat Tuesday
Q: What is the most popular type of bead thrown during Mardi Gras parades?
A: Purple, green, and gold beads
Q: What is the traditional way to greet someone on Mardi Gras Day?
A: “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (Let the good times roll)
Q: In what year did Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans officially become a public event?
A: 1857
Q: What is the oldest Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans?
A: The Krewe of Comus
Q: What animal is associated with the Zulu Mardi Gras krewe?
A: The coconut (they hand-paint coconuts and give them out during the parade)
Q: What historical figure is thought to have helped create Mardi Gras celebrations in the U.S.?
A: Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville
Q: How many days before Easter is Mardi Gras celebrated?
A: 47 days before Easter
Mardi Gras Around the World
Q: Which European country is known for having one of the most famous Mardi Gras celebrations, held in Venice?
A: Italy
Q: In which country is the city of Nice known for holding a large Mardi Gras parade?
A: France
Q: Which Caribbean island celebrates a unique form of Mardi Gras known as “Carnival”?
A: Trinidad and Tobago
Q: What is the name of the giant parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?
A: Rio Carnival
Q: In which country is the “Carnival of Barranquilla” held, one of the largest in the Caribbean?
A: Colombia
Q: What Caribbean island has a Mardi Gras-like festival called “J’ouvert”?
A: Saint Lucia
Q: Which country is known for the “Lent Festival” that happens around Mardi Gras time?
A: Spain
Q: What Mexican city is famous for its Mardi Gras celebrations?
A: Mazatlán
Q: What African country holds one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations outside the U.S.?
A: Nigeria
Q: What is the name of the Carnival celebration held in Germany, which is similar to Mardi Gras?
A: Karneval
Mardi Gras Trivia
Q: Which city in Louisiana besides New Orleans has a large Mardi Gras celebration?
A: Baton Rouge
Q: What is the primary mode of transportation during Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans?
A: Floats
Q: What is the main focus of Mardi Gras celebrations in Louisiana?
A: Parades, parties, and celebrations
Q: How many “Mardi Gras” themed parades take place in New Orleans every year?
A: Over 70 parades
Q: What is “Krewe du Vieux”?
A: A unique parade known for its satire and political commentary
Q: What is “Rex” known for in Mardi Gras history?
A: Being the king of the Carnival and leading the Rex Parade
Q: What does the word “Carnival” mean in Latin?
A: “Goodbye to meat”
Q: What do revelers in New Orleans often wear during Mardi Gras?
A: Masks, beads, and elaborate costumes
Q: What is “Mardi Gras” also known as in some cultures?
A: Shrove Tuesday
Q: What is the name of the parade that marks the end of Mardi Gras season in New Orleans?
A: The Krewe of Rex parade
Q: What year did the tradition of “throwing beads” at Mardi Gras parades begin?
A: 1920s
Mardi Gras Traditions and Symbols
What are the official colors of Mardi Gras?
The official Mardi Gras colors are purple, green, and gold. These colors were chosen in 1872 by the Rex Organization, one of the festival’s oldest krewes.
- Purple represents justice.
- Green represents faith.
- Gold represents power.
What is a “krewe”?
A krewe is an organization that participates in planning and hosting Mardi Gras parades and celebrations. Each krewe has its own unique traditions, floats, and themes.
What is the significance of the King Cake?
The King Cake is a sweet pastry associated with Mardi Gras. It is decorated in purple, green, and gold icing. A small plastic baby is hidden inside, and the person who finds it is said to have good luck and is responsible for providing the next King Cake.
Mardi Gras Parades and Festivities
Where is the most famous Mardi Gras celebration held?
The most famous Mardi Gras celebration is held in New Orleans, Louisiana. The city is known for its elaborate parades, masquerade balls, and street parties.
What are Mardi Gras “throws”?
Throws are trinkets, beads, and other small gifts tossed from parade floats to spectators. The tradition dates back to the 19th century and remains a beloved part of the festivities.
What is a “Flambeaux”?
A Flambeaux is a torch used to light up night parades. Historically, enslaved people carried the torches, but today, Flambeaux carriers are performers who add excitement to the parade.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mardi Gras
1. Is Mardi Gras only celebrated in New Orleans?
No, while New Orleans is the most famous Mardi Gras destination, other cities like Mobile, Alabama, and even international locations such as Brazil (Carnival) have similar celebrations.
2. What happens if I catch the baby in the King Cake?
If you find the baby in your slice of King Cake, tradition says you must buy the next cake or host the next Mardi Gras party.
3. Is Mardi Gras a religious holiday?
Mardi Gras has religious roots, as it marks the last day before Lent in the Christian calendar, but today, it is also celebrated as a cultural and secular festival.
4. Do all Mardi Gras celebrations have parades?
No, some places celebrate Mardi Gras with masquerade balls, street parties, and cultural events instead of large-scale parades.
5. Can anyone participate in a Mardi Gras parade?
Most major parade participants are part of a krewe, but some krewes allow guests or have walking parades where anyone can join in the fun.
6. What are the rules for catching throws at Mardi Gras?
There are no official rules, but it is customary to shout, wave, and make eye contact with float riders to increase your chances of catching beads and other throws.
7. Why do some people wear masks during Mardi Gras?
Wearing masks allows people to enjoy the festival anonymously and is a long-standing tradition that adds mystery and excitement to the celebration.
8. How long does Mardi Gras last?
Mardi Gras season begins on Epiphany (January 6th) and lasts until Fat Tuesday, which is the day before Ash Wednesday.
9. What is the best way to experience Mardi Gras in New Orleans?
The best way is to plan ahead, watch a few major parades, attend a masquerade ball, and explore the French Quarter’s festivities.
10. What is the most famous Mardi Gras parade?
The Rex Parade is one of the most famous and historic Mardi Gras parades, featuring the King of Carnival.
Conclusion
Mardi Gras is more than just a day of parades and parties; it is a deep-rooted tradition with a fascinating history and unique customs. From King Cakes to krewes and colorful beads, this celebration continues to captivate people worldwide. Whether you’re testing your knowledge or preparing for your first Mardi Gras experience, these trivia questions and answers give you a glimpse into the magic of this incredible festival. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
