Hold Up Mardi Gras, It's Still Christmas Time in Louisiana

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Mardi Gras is important in Louisiana, but it's important to give Christmas its full 12 days before letting the good times roll!

Did you know that the 12 Days of Christmas happen AFTER Christmas?

Buckle your seatbelt, because this is one heck of a story. Contrary to what many think, the 12 Days of Christmas come after Christmas, not before, and lead up to January 6th, which is a holiday called the Feast of the Epiphany.

According to Metro, Epiphany marks the official end of Christmas and the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Metro also says that 'while the Catholic Church marks Epiphany for one day, many Protestants mark ‘the season of the Epiphany’ from January 6 up until Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.'

What is 12th Night?

Another celebration called 12th Night is also linked to Epiphany. Metro says:

In the olden days Christmas wasn’t just a one-day event – it was actually celebrated for 12 days. This began on Christmas Eve, December 24, and was celebrated every day up until the Epiphany. The 12 days begin on Christmas Day. That means that January 5th was celebrated just as much as Christmas Day itself. This was the tradition from the medieval period up until the 19th century. Nowadays the Twelfth Night is when we are meant to put away our Christmas decorations to avoid bad luck for the year ahead.

Is Mardi Gras a Christian holiday?

So if you've ever wondered whether Mardi Gras had anything to do with Christianity, now you know. Mardi Gras season marks the time between Christmas and Lent with actual Mardi Gras Day happening the day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

We'll be celebrating 12th Night in Shreveport-Bossier City, LA on Saturday, January 6th, 2024, at the Bossier Civic Center. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased here. This event is open to the public and runs from 6 pm - 11:30 pm.