Each year, New Orleans attracts millions of tourists to celebrate their most anticipated holiday of the year: Mardi Gras! Not everyone is lucky enough to head down to Louisiana for Fat Tuesday, so we’re here to give you the best tips on how to throw a Mardi Gras party from your own home!

Mardi Gras has been celebrated in NOLA since the 1700’s when the French settled there> Mardi Gras festivities include parades, costumes, and elaborate dishes. "Carnival Season" in New Orleans begins on King’s Day (January 6th) and continues through Mardi Gras Day. This day, also known as Fat Tuesday, falls on February 13th this year. You could plan your party on that day, but in true Mardi Gras fashion, if you want to celebrate until the sun comes up, host your event on the weekend before!

Don’t be shy when it comes to dressing up! Mardi Gras revelers get decked out in all sorts of costumes, masks, and beads. Request that your guests wear masks and host a traditional Mardi Gras masquerade. If your guests forget to bring a mask of their own, book a face painter to handcraft a look on all of your partygoers. It’s not Mardi Gras without beads so make sure to welcome your guests at the door with plenty of bead necklaces.

Decorate your home with vibrant decorations. If there’s any holiday you can go over-the-top with, it’s this one! Incorporate the official holiday colors: green, purple and gold. Hang up garland, ribbons, and balloons with bright pops of color. Hire a balloon twister or circus act to entertain your guests during appetizers. One of the best parts about this holiday is the food! Keep your party authentic by serving classic New Orleans dishes. Traditional Cajun cuisine is bold in both flavor and color, such as slow-cooked dishes like gumbo, beans, and jambalaya. It’s also a must to have a King’s Cake on Mardi Gras, adorned in green, purple, and gold sprinkles.

Last but definitely not least! You need music that will keep your guests dancing all night! With one of our Cajun, Zydeco, or brass bands, you will feel like you’re partying right in the middle of Bourbon Street. For a more realistic feel, set up a projector on the wall with footage from the parade!

If you're throwing a Mardi Gras party this year, make sure to share your event story and tag us (@gigmasters)!

#ThePartyStartsHere