Have you ever been to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebration? If not, you’ve probably seen it on television or in numerous photos. Some of the best photos were taken many decades ago, including the 9 vintage Mardi Gras photos listed below. Each of these old Mardi Gras pictures is truly special. In fact, they’re some of the best vintage Mardi Gras photos you’ll ever see. You’re going to love them!

1. Masked Group in the French Quarter, 1905
Wikicommons / Alexander Allison
The cobblestone streets in the French Quarter look amazing!
2. Comus, 1907
Wikicommons / Period Illustration
Did floats really look like this in 1907? I'm truly amazed! Is that real palmetto?
3. Mardi Gras Float Postcard, 1908
Wikicommons / Public Domain
The beauty of this Mardi Gras float is really something amazing!
4. Frenchmen Street Maskers, 1910
Wikicommons / Infrogmation
There is a truly magical feeling to this blast from the past to Frenchmen Street.
5. Comus Modern Art World, 1916
Wikimedia Commons
This is another beautiful parade float from 1916.
6. Mardi Gras Canal Street, 1920s
Wikicommons
This blast from the past gives you a whole new perspective of Canal Street.
7. Clowns, 1936
Flickr.com / Infrogmation
These three clowns are the true definition of classic clowns.
8. Canal Street Parades, 1960
Flickr.com / Infrogmation
There is something quite interesting about the way they built these parade floats from 1960.
9. Canal Street Clowns
Wikicommons / Lipsher Specialty Co
This photo shows another example of how truly unique clowns are during New Orleans' Mardi Gras celebration.

What do you think about these vintage Mardi Gras photos? Pretty amazing, right? Please feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below. Also, let us know what your favorite part of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras is. We would appreciate hearing your feedback.

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New Orleans' Mardi Gras + Related Info

Jennifer Young | February 17, 2023

What are five New Orleans' Mardi Gras traditions and their history?

The history of Mardi Gras is truly fascinating thanks to several of its traditions that go way back. There are quite a few Mardi Gras traditions, and we've listed five below that almost everyone is familiar with.

1. Mardi Gras Colors

Purple, gold, and green are the traditional colors of Mardi Gras. They are royal colors that stand for justice (purple), power (gold), and faith (green).

2. Parade Floats

The parade floats are the best part of Mardi Gras. They come in large sizes and are elaborately decorated.

3. Mardi Gras Masks & Costumes

According to law, anyone riding a parade float during Mardi Gras must wear a mask. Masking is legal for everyone else on Fat Tuesday. In addition to masks, many people also choose to dress up in elaborate costumes during Mardi Gras.

4. Mardi Gras Beads & Throws

One of the most famous Mardi Gras traditions is the beads, or "throws." These have been passed out to parade attendees since the 1920s. Today, all kinds of items are thrown, including toys, cups, MoonPies, and more.

5. King Cake

The King Cake is the most popular baked treat during Mardi Gras. You can usually find this cake sold all over New Orleans during this yearly celebration. A traditional King Cake is an oval shaped coffee cake that's braided and covered in purple, green, and gold icing. It's then dusted with sugar, and a plastic baby is attached to the outside of it.

When is Mardi Gras this year in New Orleans, and where is a great place to stay during the celebration?

This year's Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans will begin on Tuesday, February 21. If you're planning to attend, a great place to stay is the Hotel Monteleone. The Hotel Monteleone, which opened in 1886, is a New Orleans landmark. Situated in the heart of the French Quarter, it's also one of the most beautiful hotels in the world. It has an onsite restaurant, an extravagant bar, and many other amenities you won't find anywhere else.

 

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