» How to Bring Mardi Gras to Birmingham

The season of Mardi Gras has begun! The celebration starts now and stretches all the way until March 4th on Fat Tuesday, which falls the day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. While Mardi Gras is traditionally celebrated in New Orleans, it doesn’t have to stay there. Here are several ways to bring Mardi Gras to you in Birmingham this year:

BAKE A KING CAKE

One of the most iconic emblems of Mardi Gras is the dessert known as a “king cake.” Filled with cinnamon—and a tiny plastic baby for good luck—the cake is braided into a crown-shaped circle, coated in icing, and topped with green, purple, and gold sprinkles. Think of it as a better version of cinnamon rolls. Try your hand at baking one of these ring-shaped pastries this year to bring the festive fun into your home! You can find simple but delicious recipes online, and if you’re looking to spice it up, you can fill the inside with cream cheese filling, fruit filling, almond paste, or chopped nuts. You can also buy one at a local bakery like Edgar’s or Savage’s Bakery.

ROADTRIP TO MOBILE

Did you know that the first ever Mardi Gras was celebrated in the port in Mobile, Alabama? Ever since, they have been throwing huge celebrations with majestic parades, elaborate floats, and even flying MoonPies. Hop in the car with your kiddos in the backseat and cruise on down the highway to join the festivities for yourself from February 14th to March 4th! In just 3.5 hours, you can be transported into the historic celebration of Carnival, a world of parties, balls, parades, and revelry like no other. Visit mobile.org for the full list of events.

VISIT CAJUN AND CREOLE RESTAURANTS

Birmingham is known for its food, and it has plenty of local restaurants with traditional Cajun and Creole classics like po’boys, gumbo, crawfish boils, and jambalaya. Give them a taste and see what you (or your kids) think.

HOST A MARDI GRAS PARTY

Decorate your home in all of the traditional Mardi Gras colors—purple, green, and gold (which symbolize justice, faith, and power)—bake your king cake, play some jazz music, throw on a mask and beads, and invite your friends over to celebrate this holiday with you. If you really want to go all out, you can also buy Mardi Gras inflatables to display in your yard.