New Orleans tends to get a lot of the attention but Mobile, AL is where America's Carnival celebrations really began. The first North American Mardi Gras was celebrated here in 1703 - that's 15 years before New Orleans even existed! Come experience Mardi Gras on its home turf, February 9th through the 13th at Mobile Mardi Gras 2018!
Mardi Gras is celebrated around the world and has been for time out of mind. The event's origins go all of the way back to proto-Roman celebrations of spring. Over the intervening centuries, the event has evolved, with medieval Catholicism changing Mardi Gras focus to the advent of Easter.
Mobile's claim to the origin of North American Mardi Gras celebrations has decent historical support. In fact, there are Mobile Mardi Gras tours that outline the history of Mobile and the birth of America's Mardi Gras traditions.
The Mobile Mardi Gras Trail is Mobile's only historical walking tour.
Visitors to Mobile can also learn more about the history of Mardi Gras at the Mobile Carnival Museum. The museum features 14 gallery rooms with documents and displays covering 300 years of Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrations. Anyone looking to pierce the mystique and legend behind this fascinating, ancient celebration would do well to start at the
Mobile Carnival Museum.
The biggest difference between Mobile's Carnival and others' is that Mobile Mardi Gras tends to be more family-friendly. While there's still plenty of adult fun to be had, it doesn't get as out of hand here as it can, elsewhere. This can be seen in what is Mobile Mardi Gras' most popular and iconic throw: Moon Pies.
Throws are what you call the items tossed off floats to spectators that line the streets. Throws can be lots of things, like bright plastic beads, charms, and that kind of thing. In Mobile, the big throw is the Moon Pie, though we call them Mardi Gras Pies and their wrappers are often emblazoned with a Krewe's name.
We love Moon Pies in Mobile, and that's no lie. Just see
how we celebrate New Years!
There's always a lot of friendly debate over where Mardi Gras was first held in North America, whose celebrations are the most traditional, etc. In reality, it doesn't really matter where or how you celebrate Carnival, as long as you enjoy yourself.
Of course, a big part of enjoying yourself is getting your plans in place. Lodging is already beginning to disappear. If you plan to attend Mobile Mardi Gras 2018, you'll want to act now!
Malaga Inn's
39 private rooms and suites are conveniently located in Mobile's Historic Downtown district. This puts Mobile Carnival - and the best of Mobile - right at your feet! Let
Malaga Inn be your home away form home for Mobile Margi Gras lodging. Treat yourself to a
stay at Malaga Inn - but book now before we fill up!
