What is Mardi Gras and where can I celebrate? Here are Sacramento-area events

If you’re outside in downtown Sacramento this weekend, you might see dancing hues of purple, blue and yellow, flashy beads and costumes.

It’s Mardi Gras and, while the holiday is synonymous with New Orleans’ grand festivities, the California capital has several events to help you celebrate.

What is Mardi Gras?

Beyond the bright colors and parades, Mardi Gras is a religious celebration.

Translated as “Fat Tuesday” in French, Mardi Gras is observed before Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent when those that follow the Church fast and practice abstinence.

For several weeks, people celebrate with food, parades, carnivals and by eating the king cake — a cake typically iced with green, purple and yellow frosting and baked with a hidden plastic baby, a symbol of luck. Whoever finds the figurine is “king” for the day, according to Better Homes and Garden.

The holiday is especially popular in New Orleans with celebrations spanning from one month to three. And it all started back in 1699, according to the History Channel, when a French-Canadian explorer named Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville landed in New Orleans and named it “Pointe du Mardi Gras” on the eve of the holiday.

Known as Carnival season in New Orleans, residents and tourists celebrate with big floats, parades, music and costumes.

Mardi Gras in Sacramento

Here’s where you can celebrate the holiday in the Sacramento area:

City of Trees Parade Mardi Gras Festival

2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday at Capital Mall and 6th Street

This year’s free parade starts at 2 p.m. on Capital Mall and will march to Old Sacramento. You’ll see decked-out cars, local performers, dance groups and marching bands.

The line up includes UC Davis Marching, Eastern Ways Martial Arts Lion Dance Team and Citrus Heights Community Marching Band.

There will also be food trucks, drinks and other vendors at the festival.

Carnaval Festival 2023

Noon to 11 p.m., Saturday at Freeway Gardens on 2nd and J Streets

Noon to 6 p.m., Sunday at Old Sacramento on Front Street

The two-day festival features live music from bands such as Peligro Brass, Carlos Kandia and Nola-Cal Second Liners. There will be a kids area for masking making and drumming, as well as specialty food and drinks.

On Saturday there will be a parade from Capital Mall down to Old Sacramento.

General admission is for one day and starts at $12.

Mardi Gras Madness

5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday at 9950 Elk Grove Florin Road, Elk Grove

For $50, you can enjoy dinner and live music all while benefiting the Uplift People of Elk Grove, an organization that works to help people in poverty.

The dinner includes Cajun Chicken, Andouille Sausage and New Orleans BBQ Beef, and there will be a dessert auction, silent auction and bar.

7th Annual Mardi Gras at Harlow’s

6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Sat., March 2 at 2708 J Street

You can close out Mardi Gras festivities at Harlow’s. Those 21 and over can enjoy beads, cocktails, food and live music. Tickets start at $25.

This story was originally published February 16, 2023 at 9:41 AM.