When most people hear Mardi Gras, they typically think of New Orleans. It’s no surprise considering Mardi Gras is New Orleans’ most famous annual event. It’s so famous that it receives more than one million attendees from around the world each year. Alabama has its very own Mardi Gras, and while it’s not as widely known as New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, there’s still something quite special about it.

In 1703, the first official U.S. Mardi Gras was held in Mobile, Alabama - 15 years before it was celebrated in New Orleans, Louisiana.
flickr/Amy Walker
Mardi Gras is a city-wide holiday, and people from near and far come to attend. This famous celebration takes place in downtown Mobile and usually lasts a few weeks.
flickr/Pieter Morlion
The Mardi Gras parade tradition began in 1711. What started as a simple parade, now features elaborate floats and costumes.
wikimedia commons/Library of Congress/Carol M. Highsmith

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To learn the complete history of Mobile's Mardi Gras, you'll want to visit the Mobile Carnival Museum. Lavish costumes, crowns, float replicas and historic photos are just a few of the things you'll see while touring this unique museum.
tripadvisor/Kevin B
Address: 355 Government St, Mobile, AL 36602
No Mardi Gras is complete without a delicious King Cake. Cream & Sugar Cafe is currently selling delicious King Cakes made by Sucre Pastry Shop in New Orleans.
facebook/Cream and Sugar Cafe
Address: 351 George St, Mobile, AL 36604 / Call (251) 405-0003 to reserve a cake.
Masks are also an important tradition during Mardi Gras. They add an element of mystery to the festivities.
flickr/mobilealabama2003
And we can't forget the beads. Mardi Gras just wouldn't be the same without shiny strands of beads tossed to the crowd below.
flickr/Pieter Morlion

Visit Mobile has provided us with a Mobile Mardi Gras 2017 schedule, which can be seen here. For more fun facts about Mobile, check out our previous article: 12 Things You Probably Didn’t Already Know About Mobile, Alabama.

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