Also known as Three Kings' Day or Twelfth Night, January 6 celebrates the arrival of the three kings at Jesus' birthplace. Epiphany, consequently, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ.

In New Orleans and elsewhere, Carnival begins simultaneously with Feast of the Epiphany.

Much of the first part of the Carnival season in New Orleans is invitation-only coronation balls and supper dances hosted by private clubs known as krewes. The public portion comes to life a couple of weeks before Mardi Gras when the krewes hit the streets, staging more than 70 parades in metropolitan New Orleans. It is sometimes referred to as " the biggest free show on earth."