Mardi Gras season begins on March 2 with parades, King’s cakes and festivities during Carnival. Mardi Gras Day or “Fat Tuesday” is always 47 days prior to Easter Sunday. It’s the last day of the Carnival season and falls on the first day of Lent.

Throughout Los Angeles, Mardi Gras celebrations include beads thrown, festive cocktails and some fun Southern favorite food options. Here’s where to party almost like they do in New Orleans:

Mardi Gras at The Original Farmers Market – The entire Market will be decked out in purple, green and gold decor starting on Saturday, March 2. On Saturday enter your four-legged friend to participate in The Dog Bakery’s annual Mutti Gras pet parade. It begins at noon to 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed furry King and Queen of Mutti Gras. Also on Saturday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., is a King & Queen crown decorating event.

The Gumbo Pot prepares New Orleans’ classics on March 2, March 3 and Fat Tuesday, March 5. Enjoy Dixie beer, beignets, made-from-scratch Cajun gumbo and jambalaya. Similar to beads being tossed from the balconies of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, the Market will feature bead-throwing from the Gate 1 interior balcony at the top of each hour. A live musical line-up that includes Market-favorite Cajun and Zydeco performers Eddie Baytos and The Nervis Brothers, Mudbug Brass Band, Bonnie Musique Zydeco, Floyd and the Fly Boys, High Life Cajun Band, Grammy-nominated Lisa Haley and the Zydekats. All events are free and open to the public. 6333 W. Third St. (323)933-9211.

Preux & Proper – L.A.’s preeminent Southern house will celebrate Fat Tuesday, March 5, 2019 from 4 to 10 p.m. Owner and Operator Joshua Kopel and Executive Chef and Partner Sammy Monsour will celebrate the biggest Mardi Gras party West of the Mississippi, located in the historic turn-of-the-century flatiron wedge building  between the Broadway Theatre District and Fashion District.  As a life long Saints fan, Joshua Kopel was a huge fan of Steve Gleason when he played, and will donate 100% of the parties proceeds to the Team Gleason Foundation, a charitable 501c3 non-profit corporation started by former NFL Saints player Steve Gleason. The mission is to help provide individuals with neuromuscular diseases or injuries with leading edge technology, equipment, and services, create a global conversation about ALS. In the effort to ultimately find continued solutions and an end to the disease, the non-profit’s goal is to raise public awareness toward ALS by providing and documenting extraordinary life adventures for individuals with muscular diseases or injuries.

NOLA-inspired dishes include Boudin Balls, Debris Po Boy made with shaved prime rib and pork neck gravy, Dungeness Crab & Bacon stuffed Mirliton containing mustard greens, white anchovy remoulade, and green tomato-charred corn salsa. The Red Beans & Rice is house-made andouille sausage, Anson Mills Sea Island red peas, smoked meat scraps, and roasted Anaheim chile. The Jambalaya is made with Liberty Farms organic duck breast, black tiger shrimp, spicy house Tasso ham, and Nate’s duck cracklins. A Crawfish Boil made of one-pound fresh Louisiana crawfish, sweet corn, Weiser fingerling potatoes, Zatarain’s spice and seasoning in a buttery lobster broth, served with a grilled baguette.  Finish off with King Cake beignets, made with cinnamon-raisin pâte à choux, and Mardi Gras frosting with crushed pecans.

Cocktails created by Preux and Proper’s Beverage Director Kassady Wiggins include Slush Puppie made with Southern Comfort, strawberry and grape; Wasted Watermelon made with gin and fresh watermelon, all served in a grenade-style cup, just like you would see on Bourbon Street! The Hurricane Punch Bowl is comprised of rum, passionfruit, lemon, lime and house-made grenadine is good for groups of four or eight people.  For more information or to make reservations, please visit http://www.PreuxandProper.com or call Preux & Proper directly at (213)896-0090.

Chez Melange authentic New Orleans Jazz Experience – a night filled with live music, Cajun food, and drink specials. On Tuesday, March 5. Enjoy a Muffuletta, a very popular sandwich among the New Orleans community. It was created in 1906 and was only eaten on celebration days such as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. It’s made with layers of fresh Salami, Mortadella, Capicola, Swiss Cheese, Pickles and Chez’s “Secret Spread”, Live music starts at 6 p.m. 1611 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach. www.chezmelange.com.

Mardi Gras wine tasting at The Latino Theater Company – On Thursday, March 2 enjoy a wine tasting evening at The Latino Theater Company starting at 5:30 p.m. There will be six wine stations, small appetizers and a silent auction table. This ‘Mardi Gras’ themed event features unconventional wines provided by Rabble Wine Company. Food is courtesy of Don Francisco’s Coffee. Listen to live music by EV Trio. Tickets for three tastings are $25 and six tastings $50. 514 S. Spring St. (866)811-4111.