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] 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 In many areas, however, Mardi Gras has evolved into a week-long festival. Mardi Gras 2025 will fall on Tuesday, March 4. when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de 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. The season, which represents a time of celebration before Christian Lent, lasts until Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras Day, is March 4, 2025. Between January 6 and March 4, enjoy parades, king cake, community celebrations, and more. For a list of future Mardi Gras Day dates, see here. Where in New Orleans can I experience Mardi Gras? In 2025, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, March 4. Mardi Gras—just one of the festival’s many names—is marked by raucous parties and parades, revelers wearing elaborate costumes, and delicious Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, which takes place March 4, marks the party’s climax and the end of Carnival Season on the Gulf Coast. The conclusion falls the day before Ash Wednesday and is seen as a final day of feasting and revelry before the solemnity of Lent. (When Mardi Gras is dressed in green, Easter is dressed in white.) “Le soir de Mardi gras, il faut danser sur les fumiers pour avoir des navets.” (On Mardi Gras night, you must dance on the manure to get turnips..) “Mardi gras sous la pluie, l’hiver s’enfuit.” (Mardi Gras is in the rain; winter is running away.) In 1833, Bernard Xavier de Marigny de Mandeville, a rich plantation owner of French descent raised money to fund an official Mardi Gras celebration. James R. Creecy in his book Scenes in the South, and Other Miscellaneous Pieces describes New Orleans Mardi Gras in 1835: [ 3 ] 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. The annual Mardi Gras Festival kicked off at Cajun Field tonight, bringing five days of celebration with a lineup of food, music, and entertainment. Experience the vibrant celebrations of Mardi Gras in Lafayette, Louisiana, where dazzling parades, rich traditions, and unforgettable festivities come alive. Discover the heart of this unique cultural event, view upcoming parade schedules, and explore the traditions that make this celebration truly special. In Lafayette, LA residents celebrate in many ways including the traditional Courir de Mardi Gras; parades with marching bands, beads and doubloons; Mardi Gras Indians with elaborate dancing and costumes; various styles of king cakes; as well as extravagant Mardi Gras balls complete with a king and queen. Click the links below for a listing of Friday, Feb. 28 – Tuesday, March 4 – Le Festival de Mardi Gras à Lafayette – Cajun Field, Lafayette. Carnival rides and games, live music, food vendors, and parades roll through the Le Festival de Mardi Gras is a carnival with rides, food and live music. Parades roll through festival grounds; Krewe of Allons 'Kick-off' Parade starts at Pontiac Point to Cajun Field at 6:30 pm; We are less than a week away from Fat Tuesday and of course, we've still got plenty of parades, chicken runs, Mardi Gras balls, and many other festivities leading up to the big day. One of the biggest celebrations in all of Acadiana is Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette at Cajun Field and we're happy to announce that the fun will be returning. Le Festival de Mardi Gras Lafayette. February 28 - March 4, 2025. Cajun Field Fairgrounds. Lafayette, LA 70501. Status: Updated 1/8/2025 Join to read more. Great One of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations in all of Acadiana kicks off this evening at Cajun Field. The 2022 Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette returns this year with a midway that includes great rides and games, live music, food, drinks and more. Plus, all the Lafayette parades run through the fairgrounds. About the Krewe de Columbi-Ya-YaThe Krewe de Columbi-Ya-Ya is an all-volunteer private club based in Columbia, South Carolina that is dedicated to doing charitable work and letting the good times roll since founding the Mardi Gras Columbia festival in 2011. 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.
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