Mardi Gras is a celebration known for its parades, floats, masks, costumes, and festive atmosphere. It is a time of revelry and mischief, so riddles are a perfect fit for this lively occasion. Here are 65 riddles about Mardi Gras to entertain and challenge you.
Riddles about Mardi Gras Traditions
Mardi Gras has many long-standing traditions and symbols associated with it. Here are some riddles about the common sights you’ll see during a Mardi Gras celebration.
Riddle 1
What colorful necklaces get tossed around liberally during parades? Beads
Riddle 2
Sugar, flour, and water bake into this ring-shaped treat. King cake
Riddle 3
You wouldn’t know who I am behind my sequined disguise. A Mardi Gras mask
Riddle 4
I’m a shiny medallion you hope to catch at a parade. A doubloon
Riddle 5
I’m a wallet on a string – a handy way to carry cash during Mardi Gras. A fanny pack
Riddle 6
We ride on elaborate floats tossing trinkets your way. Mardi Gras parade krewes
Riddle 7
Purple, green, and gold are the colors of this festive occasion. Mardi Gras
Riddle 8
On this day, you’re in for a world of fun before Lent begins. Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras
Riddle 9
Grab your beads, put on a crazy wig, it’s time for this wild bash. Mardi Gras
Riddle 10
Sink your teeth into this iced treat in New Orleans colors. King cake
Riddles about Mardi Gras History & Origins
Mardi Gras has been celebrated in various forms for many centuries. Here are some riddles about the history and origins of Mardi Gras celebrations.
Riddle 11
I’m the Christian holiday that marks the last day before Lent begins. Mardi Gras
Riddle 12
Mardi Gras got its start as a festival in this European country. France
Riddle 13
In French, Mardi Gras means this “Fat” occasion. Fat Tuesday
Riddle 14
In the 1800s, Mardi Gras parades began in this Southern US city. New Orleans
Riddle 15
Mardi Gras dates back hundreds of years to celebrations of this season. Spring
Riddle 16
On this day is the biggest Mardi Gras bash of all. Fat Tuesday
Riddle 17
In the Christian calendar, I’m the day before Ash Wednesday arrives. Mardi Gras
Riddle 18
Mardi Gras has its roots in ancient Roman festivals like this one. Saturnalia
Riddle 19
Masking and costuming have been part of Mardi Gras since medieval times’ Feasts of Fools
Riddle 20
Mobile, Alabama hosts America’s oldest Mardi Gras celebration, dating back to this early year. 1703
Riddles about Mardi Gras Attire & Costumes
Flamboyant costumes, masks, and makeup are a huge part of Mardi Gras celebrations. Test your knowledge with these riddles.
Riddle 21
I’m a shiny, elaborate costume sure to get attention at Mardi Gras. A sequined suit
Riddle 22
We’re wildly plumed and decorated headpieces. Mardi Gras masks
Riddle 23
I’m a glittery, jewel-toned cape worn during Mardi Gras. A feathered mantle
Riddle 24
Wear me to get into the Mardi Gras spirit of excess. An elaborate headdress
Riddle 25
You might wear this bustled gown while riding on a parade float. A hoop skirt
Riddle 26
I’m greens, purples, and gold face paint for a Mardi Gras look. Mask makeup
Riddle 27
Many outrageous wigs get worn on this wild occasion. Mardi Gras
Riddle 28
You’ll see lots of these sparkling, decorative pieces during Mardi Gras parades. Floats
Riddle 29
We’re elaborate, brightly-colored ball gowns worn to Mardi Gras galas. Masquerade dresses
Riddle 30
I’m a metal mask obscuring your face during Mardi Gras. A half-mask
Riddles about Mardi Gras Food & Drink
Mardi Gras is a time for indulging, especially when it comes to rich food and drink. Test your knowledge of traditional New Orleans cuisine with these riddles.
Riddle 31
Sip this boozy Hurricane cocktail as you watch the Mardi Gras parades go by. A rum drink
Riddle 32
This sweet cocktail with melon liquor will get you into a Mardi Gras mood. A Midori Sour
Riddle 33
Grab one of these hot sausages topped with onions and peppers from a French Quarter street vendor. Andouille
Riddle 34
These small fried balls of dough are a quintessential Mardi Gras treat. Beignets
Riddle 35
Enjoy this stew with Andouille sausage, chicken and shrimp while celebrating Mardi Gras. Jambalaya
Riddle 36
This green, creamy soup with potatoes and sausage is a taste of New Orleans. Potato leek soup
Riddle 37
Savor Louisiana’s famous spicy crawfish served up many ways during Mardi Gras season. Crawfish
Riddle 38
Grab one of these snowball-shaped frozen treats doused in flavored syrup. A sno-ball
Riddle 39
Lines are long for this fried bread dessert sandwich overflowing with fruit at Mardi Gras. A beignet
Riddle 40
Enjoy a slice of this rich purple, green and gold cake. King cake
Riddles about Mardi Gras Entertainment
Music, dancers, floats, and street performers provide nonstop entertainment during Mardi Gras. Test your knowledge with these riddles.
Riddle 41
Second line parades let revelers follow these brass bands playing jazz music. Marching bands
Riddle 42
You’ll hear this blending of Caribbean rhythms with funk and jazz across New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Zydeco music
Riddle 43
Flappers dance and entertain the crowds at the Mardi Gras speakeasies and jazz clubs. The Roaring Twenties
Riddle 44
Mimes, magicians and comedians provide this on street corners during Mardi Gras. Street performances
Riddle 45
You can catch one of these vaudeville variety shows during Carnival season. A cabaret
Riddle 46
Krewes spend all year preparing these rolling stages for their Mardi Gras parades. Floats
Riddle 47
Teams ride wildly-decorated versions of these pedal-powered taxis in races during Mardi Gras. Bike cabs
Riddle 48
Mardi Gras Indian tribes parade through the streets in these elaborate feathered and beaded costumes. Hand-sewn suits
Riddle 49
Marching bands, dancers and horses all join these movable parties. Parades
Riddle 50
Jazz musicians play a dirge and celebrate my “death” before Lent arrives. Fat Tuesday
Riddles about Mardi Gras Traditions & Customs
Mardi Gras is full of unique and longstanding traditions. Test your knowledge of these customs with the following riddles.
Riddle 51
I ride at the front of a parade, clearing the way for the floats behind me. A police car/motorcycle
Riddle 52
Revelers try to collect these shiny doubloons tossed from parade floats. Coins
Riddle 53
It’s good luck if you’re wearing this color when a parade float rider picks you to throw beads to. Purple
Riddle 54
Mardi Gras parade goers yell, “Throw me something…” and I reply, “Mister!” A masked rider on a float
Riddle 55
Partiers roam the streets with these bandannas to carry all their caught throws. Bags
Riddle 56
I’m the slice of King Cake that has the plastic baby hidden inside. The lucky slice
Riddle 57
Whoever gets this slice of King Cake is crowned King or Queen of the party. The slice with the baby
Riddle 58
Mardi Gras Indians dance and march through the streets in these colorful, hand-sewn suits. Feathered and beaded costumes
Riddle 59
At midnight on this day, police ride white horses down Bourbon to ceremonially end Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday
Riddle 60
During this occasion, parades fill New Orleans and Mobile streets with joy and chaos. Mardi Gras
Riddles about Mardi Gras Locations
Mardi Gras celebrations take place in many cities, but some locations are especially famous. Test your knowledge with these location riddles.
Riddle 61
Spanish moss drips from the trees during Mardi Gras celebrations in this Southern city. Savannah, Georgia
Riddle 62
Mardi Gras started in the 1700s in this oldest US city to host Carnival celebrations. Mobile, Alabama
Riddle 63
The French Quarter becomes party central during Mardi Gras in this Louisiana city. New Orleans
Riddle 64
Mardi Gras parades and festivals take over this Florida beach town near Pensacola. Pensacola
Riddle 65
Galveston proudly hosts Mardi Gras celebrations on this Texan island. Galveston Island
Conclusion
Mardi Gras is a celebration ripe with history, tradition, indulgence, costumes, music, and laughter. These riddles cover a range of fun topics related to the biggest party before Lent. From king cake and parades to masks and second line jazz, Mardi Gras offers endless inspiration for riddles and mischief. How many of these riddles could you solve? Challenge your friends and see who best knows the traditions of Carnival.
