Charles H. Sloan-Mardi Gras is back in New Orleans: 2024 parade schedule, routes, what to about the holiday

It's Mardi Gras season in New Orleans,Charles H. Sloan and that means the parades, parties and general revelry are already in full swing.

While Mardi Gras began as a religious holiday observed prior to Ash Wednesday and the start of the Christian Lenten season, the celebrations have since expanded to weeks (or months) of parades and partying and are celebrated around the world, from France to Brazil and beyond.

In the U.S., Mardi Gras is most famously found in New Orleans, Louisiana. The city, also known as the Big Easy, takes the celebrations seriously, with traditions including king cake and parades beginning in January and continuing in the weeks before the actual holiday.

Whether you're a local or traveling in for the fun, here's when and where you can find Mardi Gras parades around New Orleans this year.

When is Mardi Gras 2024?

This year, Mardi Gras, which translates from French to "Fat Tuesday," is on Feb. 13.

Ash Wednesday is on Feb. 14, the day marking the start of the 40-day Lenten season that culminates with Easter.

Origins of king cake:What to know about the sweet Mardi Gras treat plus a recipe to try

Why does New Orleans celebrate Mardi Gras?

Although it is a Christian holiday now, Mardi Gras is a holiday that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites, according to the History Channel. Mardi Gras, also often called Carnival or Carnaval, is celebrated in countries around the world with large Roman Catholic populations.

Louisiana was colonized first by the French before it became part of the U.S., and has retained strong French and Cajun culture and traditions, including Mardi Gras.

When are the 2024 Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans?

There are plenty of parades all over New Orleans celebrating Mardi Gras that began in January and will last through Mardi Gras on Feb. 13.

Here's when and where to catch these parades, according to Mardi Gras New Orleans. For specific parade routes, click the link on the corresponding parade.

Friday, Feb. 9

• Krewe of Bosom Buddies: 11:30 a.m., French Quarter
• Krewe of Hermes: 5:30 p.m., Uptown New Orleans
• Krewe d'Etat: 6:30 p.m,. Uptown New Orleans
• Krewe of Morpheus: 7 p.m., Uptown New Orleans
• Krewe of Selene: 6:30 p.m., Slidell

Saturday, Feb. 10

• Krewe of Iris: 11 a.m., Uptown New Orleans
• Krewe of Tucks: Noon, Uptown New Orleans
• Krewe of NOMTOC: 10:45 a.m., Westbank
• Krewe of Endymion: 4:15 p.m., Mid-City
• Krewe of Bush: 9 a.m., Bush
• Krewe of Isis: 6 p.m., Kenner

Sunday, Feb. 11

• Krewe of Athena: 5:30 p.m., Metairie
• Krewe of Okeanos: 11 a.m., Uptown New Orleans (Krewe of Mid-City follows.)
• Krewe of Thoth: Noon, Uptown New Orleans
• Krewe of Bacchus: 5:15 p.m., Uptown New Orleans

Monday, Feb. 12

• Krewe of Centurions: 6:30 p.m., Metairie
• Krewe of Proteus: 5:15 p.m., Uptown New Orleans
• Krewe of Orpheus: 6 p.m., Uptown New Orleans

Tuesday, Feb. 13 (Mardi Gras)

• Krewe of Argus: 11 a.m., Metairie (Krewe of Elks Jeffersonians follows.)
• Krewe of Zulu: 8 a.m., Uptown New Orleans
• Krewe of Rex: 10:30 a.m., Uptown New Orleans (Krewe of Elks Orleans and Krewe of Crescent City follows.)
• Covington Lions Club: 10 a.m., Covington (Carnival in Covington follows.)
• Krewe of Folsom: 2 p.m., Folsom