REX, KING OF CARNIVAL AND NEW ORLEANS AND COMPANY ISSUE OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION TO KICK OFF THE 2023 CARNIVAL SEASON

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 2023,

Carnival begins each year January 6, known as “Twelfth Night,” and lasts through Mardi Gras day, which falls on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Parades will once again roll, continuing 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, III, 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."

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.

Also kicking off today is “Mardi Gras for all Y’all,” presented by NOLA.com/Advocate and sponsored by New Orleans & Company. In its third year, this is a unique virtual celebration complete with music, parades, entertainment, cuisine and more, brining the celebration of Mardi Gras to the world broadcast on NOLA.com, YouTube and Facebook Live.

For more, please visit www.neworleans.com.