5 Mardi Gras Facts That Only True Louisianans Know (Or Pretend to Know After a Few Drinks)

🎭 Think you know Mardi Gras? These 5 surprising facts might just change the way you see the celebration! 👑🎉

Mardi Gras isn’t just about catching beads and eating your weight in king cake (although, let’s be honest, that’s a big part of it). There’s a lot of history and tradition behind the celebration—some of it downright surprising. Here are five lesser-known Mardi Gras facts, with a little Louisiana humor to keep things rolling.

1.) Mardi Gras Is a State Holiday (Because We Have Our Priorities Straight)
While most places expect you to show up to work on Fat Tuesday like it’s just another day, Louisiana knows better. The state officially recognizes Mardi Gras as a holiday because, let’s be real, no one’s getting anything done when there are parades, king cakes, and parties to attend.

2.) "Carnival" Is a Season, Not Just a Day (Because We Like to Stretch a Good Time)
Mardi Gras itself is just one day, but the party actually starts on January 6—also known as Twelfth Night or King’s Day. From that moment on, it's full-speed ahead with parades, balls, and celebrations leading up to Fat Tuesday. That means weeks of good times, poor decisions, and enough king cake to make your dentist nervous.

3.) There’s an Actual "King of Carnival" (And No, It’s Not Your Drunk Cousin in a Gold Crown)
Each year, the Rex Organization selects a "King of Carnival" to reign over their parade. Other krewes also crown their own royalty. But unlike that one friend who insists on wearing a plastic crown at every Mardi Gras party, these kings are officially chosen and actually have a job to do—like waving regally and not spilling their drink.

4.) Zulu Coconuts Are the Ultimate Parade Prize (And Way More Valuable Than Beads)
You might think catching beads is a big deal, but in New Orleans, the ultimate score is a hand-decorated coconut from the Krewe of Zulu. These "Golden Nuggets" are a badge of honor—just don’t try to catch one with your face. (Pro tip: Use your hands, not your head.)

5.) Corporate Sponsorship Is Banned (Because We’re Keeping It Real)
Unlike other big events, you won’t see a "MegaCorp Mardi Gras Parade Presented by Some Giant Conglomerate." In New Orleans, it’s actually illegal for corporations to sponsor parades. That means every float, costume, and bead is funded by the krewes themselves—proving that Mardi Gras is truly a party by the people, for the people.