SACRAMENTO, Calif — For many, Carnival season goes from Jan. 6 until Mardi Gras but in Sacramento, the celebration of life and excess starts the weekend before.
This year, Mardi Gras falls on March 5, so there is still time to celebrate.
Mardi Gras is a tradition that comes from when Christianity was combined with Roman traditions of spring and fertility. The Tuesday before Lent, the time where Christians practice fasting and penance for 40 days, was a day of debauchery.
The first time on record that Mardi Gras was celebrated in the U.S. was back when the French controlled Louisiana. Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the founder of New Orleans first known as Point du Mardi Gras, began the tradition as a small celebration. Now it has grown to become the event down in New Orleans.
The spirit of the New Orleans festival is shared in Sacramento through several different events that celebrate music, eating, drinking and being merry in a myriad of ways.
From dog parades, bike rides and parties, Sacramento has you covered. Below is a list of Mardi Gras events in the Sacramento area:
March 1
When: March 1 - 5, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: The Mimosa House, 5641 J Street
Overindulge on food with beads and bubbles at the Mimosa House to kick-off the celebration of Mardi Gras in the morning.
When: March 1, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Near Southside Park, 8th Street and W Street under the Freeway
Join in BikeParty Sacramento in a Mardi Gras-themed ride. They plan to let the good times roll while biking 9 miles and making two stops along the way.
March 2
When: March 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Old Sacramento Waterfront, 1124 2nd St.
Front Street Animal Shelter is holding its pet parade through Old Sacramento which is to be led by City of Trees Brass Band. This fundraiser costs between $15 and $40 depending on the number of dogs. Dog owners can pre-register by clicking here.
When: March 2, 2:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: The Porch Restaurant and Bar, 1815 K St.
The Porch plans to have a march from Capitol Garage (1500 K St.) to their restaurant where people can eat and drink.
When: March 2, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Big Sexy Brewing Co., 5861 88th Street, Suite 800
Big Sexy Brewing Co. is going to host City of Trees Brass Band so there can be joyous music while people indulge in a beer.
When: March 2, 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Where: Old Sacramento, Front Street
Old Sacramento is set to turn into a Bourbon-Street-like feel for the bar crawl with street and band performers traveling the boardwalks and people going from bar-to-bar Saturday night.
When: March 2, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: The Palms Playhouse, 13 Main Street, Winters, CA 95694
For a night filled with lively dance music, The Palms Playhouse is hosting a band of San Francisco based musicians. The event requires a ticket that costs $20.
When: March 2, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Where: Capitol City Elks Lodge, 3706 Stockton Blvd.
The Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary St. Anne's Council and Court are hosting a dinner and dance party. The cost of the ticket is $25.
When: March 2, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Where: Old Sugar Mill, 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg, CA 95612
The Old Sugar Mill is holding a Brazilian-style Carnival event with Samba dancing and feathers galore. The ticket costs $25 and includes a free drink.
March 3
When: March 3, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: YMCA, 2021 W St.
The YMCA is having a Zumbathon for two hours on Sunday. People can register for $15 on their website or pay $20 at the door.
When: Mar. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Celestin's Restaurant, 3610 McKinley
The Restorative Schools Vision Project is hosting a brunch at Celestin's Restaurant. The brunch is to benefit programs that work towards helping children.
March 5
When: Mar. 5, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Mulvaney's B&L, 1215 19th St
The 6th annual Mardi Gras Second Line, parade, will start at Mulvaney's B&L and end at The Torch Club.
When: Mar. 5, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Jungle Bird,2516 J St.
The Jungle Bird will be hosting a Beignyay! pop-up which will include King Cake Beignets for people to enjoy while sipping Hurricanes at their happy hour.
When: Mar. 5, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Where: Shady Lady Bar, 1409 R St., Suite 101
The Shady Lady plans to have plenty of brass music with Element Brass Band and Dirty Chops Brass Band performing.
King Cake is a cake that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ which in the Christian tradition is sometimes referred to as a King. It is eaten during the Carnival season since the season begins on the date of the Epiphany when the three wise men saw Jesus, according to the Christian faith. Typically, whoever's slice has a baby in it is supposed to provide the cake at the next party.
There are several recipes online and websites that will deliver a King Cake to you. Here in Sacramento, there is at least one bakery that will make an authentic King Cake. Ettore's European Bakery & Restaurant is taking orders for King Cake that cost $25.50.
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