This year, Mardi Gras falls on Feb. 13 (a day before Valentine’s Day, hmmm, seems suspicious), and if you are looking for a Mardi Gras date to kick off on Fat Tuesday, you might want to get started immediately. No pressure, though! And since it does fall one day before the famous Feb. 14 love holiday, you may be able to score a two-for-one deal on a date if you hit it off!
Allow us to set the scene in New Orleans: the jazz is pumping, streets are draped in purple, green, and gold, and the spirit of Mardi Gras is unmistakably felt in the air. And you want someone to share it with! Alas, don’t fret if you are flying solo but want to find a partner in crime for the celebration—we have some great tips for using dating apps to find a Mardi Gras date! Using dating apps can score you a carnival confidante: they could be just a simple swipe away.
What is Mardi Gras?
A little history lesson is in order before we get into the tips; after all, you need to know what you are celebrating with your date!
According to History.com, “Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Also known as Carnival or Carnaval, it’s celebrated in many countries around the world—mainly those with large Roman Catholic populations—on the day before the religious season of Lent begins. Brazil, Venice, and New Orleans play host to some of the holiday’s most famous public festivities, drawing thousands of tourists and revelers every year.
“The first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans, Louisiana. They held a small celebration and dubbed their landing spot Point du Mardi Gras. Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is a legal holiday. However, elaborate carnival festivities draw crowds in other parts of the United States during the Mardi Gras season as well, including Alabama and Mississippi. Each region has its own events and traditions.”
Even if you won’t be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, that doesn’t mean you can’t partake in the festivities! There will just be less (or no) beads.
Give Your Profile a Festive Facelift
Remember, your dating app profile is your digital introduction to other singles. Before Mardi Gras, jazz it up—you could use pics from previous Mardi Gras or show off the beads you’ve collected from past celebrations. Don’t neglect your bio—tell others on the dating app that you are all about having a blast on the occasion. Make your dating app profile shout out, “I came to enjoy Mardi Gras—who’s coming with me?”
Honesty is the Best Policy
Mardi Gras is a multitude of events. Are you looking for a partner-in-crime for the numerous parades or someone to explore Bourbon Street and all the culinary delights it has to offer? Being honest and completely upfront about your Mardi Gras plans not only attracts similar singles but also leaves not ambiguous questions so you can have a date you’ll both enjoy.
Choose Your Dating App Wisely
Different strokes for different folks, and this holds true for dating apps, too. If you are looking for something casual, you can hop on Tinder or Bumble and add to your bio that you want to meetup for the Mardi Gras festivities. Pick the platforms that let you showcase your personality and have a good rep for connecting with people in your local area. If you need some recommendations, allow us to help!
Best Dating Apps
The Early Bird Gets the Date
Timing is everything, so do not wait until Fat Tuesday to start looking for a Mardi Gras date—start earlier. Like, now. This gives you a buffer zone to talk, get to know one another a bit, find out if you have anything in common, and plan your date together. Plus, it takes the anxiety and rush out of finding a last-minute date.
Safety: A Must Amidst the Fun
While the goal is to have fun, safety should always be your number one goal. When you decide to meet, choose public places, especially during daytime festivities. Keep a friend or a family member in the loop about your plans, or share your location with them on your smartphone. It is always better to be safe than sorry, right? Right! If you’re feeling iffy about the person you met online, may we suggest a helpful tool like Social Catfish?
Social Catfish Review
Break the Ice With Mardi Gras Magic
When talking to any potential dates, keep the mood light and festive. Share your favorite Mardi Gras memories or what you’re looking forward to this year. This not only helps in breaking the ice but also sets the tone for a fun and casual date.
Plan a Flexible Date
Mardi Gras has its own rhythm, and it pays to move with it. Arrange a flexible date—maybe start with a meet-up near the festivities and then let the day’s energy take you where it may!
Dress to Impress But in a Comfy Way
Mardi Gras is your fashion runway, but remember, comfort is super important. You’re going to be on your feet and on the move, so choose an outfit that’s both fun and practical. Tell your date to do the same—you don’t want to have to leave them behind because they wore the wrong shoes and got blisters!
Live in the Moment
It doesn’t really matter if your date becomes a short chapter or even just a small paragraph in your dating book—enjoy the moment and have fun! Take advantage of the festivities, the company, and the once-in-a-year Mardi Gras tradition.
Respect: The Golden Rule
In all the excitement, never forget the golden rule of respect. Mardi Gras is a celebration of freedom and fun, but this doesn’t override the importance of mutual respect and consent, just like every other date should. Oh, and don’t drink too much!
Takeaways
Scoring a Mardi Gras date through a dating app is a great way to find not only a companion for the day, but it‘s also a chance to meet someone who might turn into more.
With these tips, you’re all set to swipe right and go forth into the heart of Mardi Gras. Who knows, amidst the colorful beads and amazing parades, you could find a special connection that lasts longer than the carnival itself.
