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] Mardi Gras is traditionally celebrated on “Fat Tuesday,” the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. In many areas, however, Mardi Gras has evolved into a week-long festival. Mardi Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, the season is known as Carnival and begins on 12th Night, January 6th, and extends until midnight before Ash Wednesday. Club, or Krewe, balls start soon after, though most are extremely private, with their Kings and Queens coming from wealthy old families and their courts consisting of the season's debutantes. “Mardi Gras,” a French term for “Fat Tuesday,” is observed from January 6 to February 13.Twelfth Night (also known as Christmas Night or Twelfth Night) is celebrated after Christmas for 12 days, beginning on January 6 and running until Fat Tuesday (the evening before Ash Wednesday). When is Mardi Gras? Every year, Mardi Gras season begins on Twelfth Night, which is January 6. Twelfth Night represents the Christian holy day of the Epiphany. The season, which represents a time of celebration before Christian Lent, lasts until Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras Day, is March 4 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. Through the centuries, authorities have tried to restrict the hedonistic elements of the celebration–with little success. Masks are probably the best-known element of Venetian Mardi Gras, known for their extraordinary flamboyance. Brazil’s Mardi Gras runs from the Friday before Ash Wednesday until noon Ash Wednesday, when Lent officially 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. Arriving in his office on the day before Mardi Gras to find his colleagues “bored to death,” he proposed a Mardi Gras masking adventure to Bayou St. John. Cross-dressing as “a shepherdess, all in white,” with “a corset of white bazin, a muslin skirt, a large pannier” and “beauty marks on my face and even on my breasts, which I had Mardi Gras happens every year. It's the day before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday starts Lent for Christians. Lent is when people give things up. Mardi Gras is a big party before that. 'Mardi Gras' is French, and it means 'Fat Tuesday. Individuals tend to consume rich foods during the festival. This is because they will fast throughout Lent. Click on the Mardi Gras krewes below for further information about the krewe and to see their usual route for each parade. Please note: Events and activities are subject to change without notice. Stay tuned to the site for further info. Come join the fun on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in downtown Aransas Pass for the Saltwater Mardi Gras festival. This family-friendly event offers a variety of activities. Attendees can browse local vendor booths, enjoy live zydeco music, savor cuisine from food trucks, explore the kids zone, and participate in the gumb Mardi Gras Southeast Texas kicks off at its new home at Doggett Ford Park on Friday, February 28, 2025 with the traditional chicken toss at 5 p.m. followed by the first parade two hours later. The Bacchus Bash (March 2, 2025): Krewe of Bacchus throws a big all-day Mardi Gras block party on Super Sunday (the Sunday before Mardi Gras) featuring live music, DJs, and VIP open bar ticket options to celebrate their historic parade. Pricing ranges from $75-600. The identity of Rex, the king of Mardi Gras, is kept secret until Lundi Gras (the day before Mardi Gras), and only those within certain social circles receive invitations to the lavish Rex Ball. Le Krewe d’État (Founded 1996) – A newer krewe that upholds the secrecy and satire of traditional Mardi Gras, d’État is known for its The Monday before Mardi Gras brings its own festivities. Catch the Red Beans Parade (members craft their costumes from the city’s iconic legume) during the day, then Proteus (the city’s second Mardi Gras is steeped in rich history and vibrant customs. You'll discover the deep-rooted significance of this festive season and learn about one of its most beloved culinary traditions. Religious and Cultural Roots. Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, marks the last day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Q: Why does Mardi Gras fall on different dates each year? The date of Mardi Gras changes every year because it's connected to Easter, which can fall on any Sunday between March 23 and April 25. Mardi Gras day always takes place 47 days before Easter. When is Mardi Gras? While Mardi Gras is celebrated in various forms around the world, it is most famously associated with New Orleans, Louisiana. Over the centuries, Mardi Gras in New Orleans has evolved into a grand and extravagant celebration, deeply rooted in the city’s unique blend of French, African, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures.
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