This year's Mardi Gras falls on February 24, 2009. The season will kick off on January 6, with the official beginning of Carnival season, and - most importantly - the beginning of King Cake season! Start planning now for two weeks of parading, partying, balls and fun!

The NewOrleans.Com Mardi Gras pages are your complete guide to everything Fat Tuesday: We have the schedule of when and where the parades will roll, Mardi Gras history, a Mardi Gras dictionary for all you out-of-staters unfamiliar with the local lingo, information on all of the krewes and how to involve kids in Mardi Gras celebrations. We've got ideas for how to plan your own Mardi Gras party at home if you can't make it here this year. We even have a Mardi Gras forum, where you can discuss Mardi Gras past and present, plan out your costumes and figure out where to stand! Click here to "L'aissez le bon temps roule!" (More)

The Black Heritage Festival (BHF) was established in 1987 to provide the general public with greater access to African-American culture through the presentation of cultural, performing arts and educational events.

In addition to the Festival, projects include the Black Heritage Gallery, Partners-in- Education, Scholarships for graduating seniors, the Black History Hall of Fame, and special performing arts and educational programs. (More)

Just when you think we're done celebrating and settling down for Lent, along comes this week in the middle of March, giving New Orleanians reason to parade one more time. With such a large population of both Irish and Italian descendants here in the city, St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day are pretty big deals in these here parts.

St. Patrick's Day finds its home - where else? - in the Irish Channel! Jump start your week of Irish by participating in St. Baldrick's Day on March 12. Head to Parasol's (corner of Constance and Third) in the Channel to shave your head for a cure to children's cancer. In the past nine years, St. Baldrick's has become the world's largest volunteer-driven fundraising program for childhood cancer. Help Parasol's in their goal to raise $10,000 this year! (More)