New Orleans tourism industry officials have joined Rex, the King of Carnival in issuing Rex's annual edict to the world that Carnival season is upon us and will be celebrated once again in 2024.

Carnival begins each year January 6, known as “Twelfth Night,” and lasts through Mardi Gras day, which falls on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Parades will once again roll according to the traditional schedule, with slight modifications to parade routes, yet will still imbued with sacred Carnival traditions and the season’s unique creative spirit.

“The Rex Royal proclamation continues a Carnival tradition more than a century old," said Walt Leger, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company. “We join Rex in inviting visitors to come enjoy New Orleans and learn about the majesty of our Carnival traditions. That people come from around the globe to be a part of it, creating such a tremendous economic impact for our people, businesses and city and state, is a testimony to the unique way we live and seamlessly blend creativity, history, culture, and celebration with business and innovation.”

The Rex Organization began creating its Royal Invitation in 1872 when a group of young New Orleans leaders decided to issue invitations and a proclamation, inviting all to come to the Crescent City to join in its unique Mardi Gras celebration. In the days before mass media, broadcast, and tourism industries, the beautiful art posters and brochures were distributed in railroad stations, plastered on train cars, posted in centers of commerce, and placed in public buildings around the nation in major U.S. cities.

The 2023 Royal Invitation proclaims, "That the Festivities and Pageants arranged for this Celebration will surpass in joyousness and exceed in beauty the most brilliant attainments of the glorious past …”.

To see the invitation, please click here.

Each year, New Orleans & Company issues an electronic version of the Invitation to the nation and to international destinations, as well as over 60,000 travel trade professionals and tour operators.

For more, please visit www.neworleans.com. 

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New Orleans & Company is the official destination sales and marketing organization for New Orleans’ tourism industry. Founded in 1960, our mission is to inspire, promote and encourage travel to our city for the economic, social and community benefit of New Orleans and its people. Our vision is to ensure New Orleans remains the most remarkable, unique and welcoming city in the world. For more information, visit us at neworleans.com or on social media @VisitNewOrleans or @Neworleansandco.