Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Also known as Carnival or Carnaval, it’s celebrated in Mardi Gras (UK: / ˌ m ɑːr d i ˈ ɡ r ɑː /, US: / ˈ m ɑːr d i ɡ r ɑː /; [1] [2] also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the final day of Carnival (also known as Shrovetide or Fastelavn); it thus falls on the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. [3] Whether you celebrate Mardi Gras for its connection to Christian traditions, its cultural significance, or simply for the fun and revelry, it remains an enduring and beloved festival. In places like New Orleans, Mardi Gras has become a symbol of the city’s identity, representing unity, diversity, and the joy of living life to the fullest. As Mardi Gras is a festive day celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which marks the close of the pre-Lenten season. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent. These krewes date back to the 1800s and are credited for establishing the Mardi Gras traditions still occurring today in New Orleans. The Krewe of Rex is one such group that represents the oldest of the lot, dating back to the year 1872. Typically, Rex parades take place on the day of Mardi Gras, and the King of Rex is the official King of At the heart of it, Mardi Gras is also a Christian holiday traced to pagan spring and fertility rites dating back thousands of years that has become a popular cultural phenomenon worldwide. And although Mardi Gras is today most closely associated with New Orleans, Louisiana, it is observed in hundreds of cities in more than fifty countries. Mardi Gras wasn’t referred to as “Carnival” until 1781. New Orleans floats are traditionally known as tableaux cars. Mardi Gras meaning of beads: Mardi Gras “throws” (like beads) started in 1870. The first beads were necklaces made of glass beads and thrown into the crowd. The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. What does Mardi Gras mean? Translated to English, "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday." Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and gras means "fat." This name comes from the custom of eating all the fatty, rich foods in the house prior to Lent in order to prepare for fasting and abstinence. So, Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. What does Mardi Gras mean? In French, Mardi means “Tuesday” and gras means “fat.” That’s why the day is also referred to as Fat Tuesday. The word originated in France and was what people used to describe the day before Ash Wednesday, when they would binge on rich foods such as meat, eggs, milk, and cheese before Lent began. The origins of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras traces its roots to ancient Roman festivals like Saturnalia, which involved feasting and revelry. With the advent of Christianity, these traditions were adapted into Carnival—a period of indulgence before the austerity of Lent. Mardi Gras specifically refers to the day before Ash Wednesday, when people The Mardi Gras traditions show off New Orleans’ rich culture. Get ready to be wowed by the creativity and passion that make this celebration so special! The Rich History Behind Mardi Gras Celebrations. The history of Mardi Gras is a captivating story that spans centuries and continents. It started as a simple feast before Lent in medieval Europe. The festival of Mardi Gras comes before the Roman Catholic season of Lent. Lent is a period of 40 days that ends with Easter. Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. The name Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday.” It comes from the fact that the festival takes place on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Mardi Gras, translated from French to English as Fat Tuesday, occurs the day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. The largest U.S. celebration of Mardi Gras takes place in New Orleans, La. Celebrations in New Orleans begin on Jan. 6, which is Epiphany, and lasts through Fat Tuesday. What do you get if you throw a pomegranate into the Mississippi River on Mardi Gras? A fruit float. I tried to explain Mardi Gras to my dog, but I think he got lost somewhere between the beads and the beignets. My bank account after Mardi Gras is like a parade float totally empty. Just got hit in the head with a flying king cake baby. The Mardi Gras season known as "Carnival" commences on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 and concludes on Fat Tuesday, March 4, 2025. When is Mardi Gras? Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, will take place on March 4 Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and has its roots dating back thousands of years as a cultural phenomenon to the pagans, who referred to it as spring and fertility rites. Celebrated in many countries worldwide with large catholic populations, Mardi Gras is also known as Carnival or Carnaval. Since it was the night before Mardi Gras, he named the landing area "Point du Mardi Gras". In 1703 the first Mardi Gras was celebrated at the small settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile. In the 1730s Mardi Gras became a popular celebration in New Orleans. Originally it was celebrated with a large dance called a ball. Learning about Mardi Gras: fun Mardi Gras activities, lesson plans and printable worksheets, Mardi Gras games, teaching resources, engaging activities, and food origin information. Includes free coloring page printable pack to help you celebrate Mardi Gras with kids! Fun for Mardi Gras for Sunday school, student classroom lessons, homeschooling, and at home crafts for kids. Don't miss our free Here are some preschool Mardi Gras activities to try: Make Mardi Gras Sensory Bottles – Fill empty plastic bottles with 1/3 karo syrup, 1/3 water with green, yellow or purple food coloring, and 1/3 cooking oil. Add beads, and allow kids to shake the bottle to try to move the beads into the middle section. Paint with Mardi Gras Beads – Set How is Mardi Gras celebrated? Mardi Gras is celebrated in a number of ways around the world. In the United States, some of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations are held in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. There are also well-known Mardi Gras parties that take place along the West Coast of the United States, in San Diego, California.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |