New Orleans takes Mardi Gras seriously, with traditions including king cake and parades beginning in January and lasting for weeks until the actual holiday itself. Here's everything to know. This year, Mardi Gras, which translates from French to "Fat Tuesday," is on March 4.

The ring-shaped, sugar-topped cake is a Mardi Gras staple. Typically decorated with icing and sugar or sprinkles in the traditional yellow, green, and purple colors of Mardi Gras, king cake is so called to represent Three Kings Day. A plastic baby is also traditionally hidden inside the cake for someone to find.

There will be plenty of parades in New Orleans leading up to Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday. on March 4. Here's what you need to know.