King Cake season is here, but many need a ritual push into Mardi Gras festivities. The Vieux Carre has their Joan of Arc parade, but if you’re in the mood for a less medieval kickoff, head uptown for Phunny Phorty Phellows annual ride down the streetcar tracks.

It’s the epiphany, which means it’s finally okay to break out our king cakes! Mardi Gras is around the corner, and there’s music, parades, plays, and more to kick off your Carnival. On this day in 1994, Harry Connick Jr.’s, “When My Heart Finds Christmas,” was certified Platinum. Now, more Twelfth Night happenings. 

Happy King's Day! In New Orleans, the Catholic feast of the Epiphany doubles as Twelfth Night, the official beginning of the Carnival season. So have a piece of king cake with your morning coffee, and get ready for revelry tonight! Phunny Phorty Phellows, the Krewe of St. Jeanne d'Arc and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson will all welcome the best time of the year tonight. More after the jump:

For those saving up for Fat Tuesday, Twelfth Night may be much ado about nothing. But for serious revelers, the eve of Epiphany means the coming of Carnival, as the Phunny Phorty Phellows embark on their annual streetcar ride along St. Charles Avenue to announce the coming of Carnval.

While the rest of the country is settling into post-holiday blues and winter hibernation, we're gearing up for the main event.