The French translation for Mardi Gras is "fat Tuesday". Why do people have pancakes on Shrove Tuesday? The tradition was born out of followers trying to use up all their fats and eggs before Lent. 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] As this is the last day of the Christian liturgical season historically known as Carnival or Shrovetide, before the penitential season of Lent, related popular practices, such as indulging in food that one might give up as their Lenten sacrifice for the upcoming forty days, are associated with Shrove Tuesday celebrations. The term Mardi Gras is In France, the day evolved to Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, and the French settlers brought the tradition to the Americas and New Orleans specifically. In places like Brazil and Italy, Shrove Tuesday became part of Carnival, another party season before Lent. These festivities have grown into some of the most famous celebrations in the world. While Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras get much of the attention, they’re really just a buildup to Lent, which, in turn, is all about Easter. Lent is the period of 40 weekdays (46 days total) of fasting and penitence starting on Ash Wednesday and ending on the Saturday before Easter (known as Holy Saturday ). Mardi Gras, also called Shrove Tuesday, takes place annually on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday—the beginning of the Christian observance of Lent, which lasts about 6 weeks and ends just before Easter. This means that Mardi Gras is a moveable holiday that can take place in either February or March. An iconic part of Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday”) in New Orleans is the king cake, an iced ring-shaped pastry that is sprinkled with gold, green, and purple sugar and typically contains a plastic figurine representing the baby Jesus. Traditionally, the person who receives the piece of king cake containing the figurine is named “king” or 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. Mardi Gras is the last and "biggest day of celebration," according to Mardi Gras New Orleans. What are some other names for Mardi Gras? Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, the end of Carnival. Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, falls on March 4 this year and gives people one last night to party before the official start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. What is Fat Tuesday? Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the fasting period of Lent (for Western Christians), 47 days before Easter Sunday. Shrove Tuesday is also called Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, or Pancake Day. Also known as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day, Fat Tuesday has a rich history in both the U.S. and across the world and represents a day when Catholics and other Christians come together in celebration before the more subdued observance of Lent. Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras History in New Orleans. Fat Tuesday in America predates the birth of the U.S. Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day in the United Kingdom) and Lent (also known as Easter) are both common names for Mardi Gras, and the two days commemorate the beginning of Lent (the act of administering the sacrament of confession to; The holiday known as Fat Tuesday is also known as the day after the Feast of Saint Martin. Over the years, Shrove Tuesday went beyond the religious, developing more popular or secularized traditions. In France, the day evolved to Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, and the French settlers brought the tradition to the Americas and New Orleans specifically. In the United Kingdom, Mardi Gras is synonymous with Shrove Tuesday. The latter derived from shrive , meaning “to administer the sacrament of confession to/ to absolve”. The Brits also call this day Pancake Day . Along the way, Shrove Tuesday emerged as the last day of Shrovetide, the week preceding the start of Lent. The word Shrovetide is the English equivalent of Carnival, which comes from the Latin Given the fasting that follows Shrove Tuesday, there are plenty of tasty eats to go around during Mardi Gras. Aside from a king cake, Mardi Gras is a time for beignets, pillow bits of fried dough Carnaval Tuesday, March 4th 2025: Shrove Tuesday or Carnival Tuesday is the last day before the fasting period of Lent. It’s also known as Mardi Gras (in New Orleans), Fat Tuesday, or Pancake Day. It is always 47 days before Easter Sunday. Wednesday, March 5th 2025: Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Why are there so many indulgent baked goods and fried foods eaten on Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras—also known as Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday—is the last day before the beginning of Lent, traditionally a time of fasting and self-discipline for many Christian communities. Globally, the custom of eating sweets, butter, and richer foods (and generally getting up to some carni Mardi Gras for the year 2026 is celebrated/ observed on Tuesday, February 17th. Mardi Gras known as Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday falls annually on the day before Ash Wednesday (start of Lent ). The word "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday" in the French language.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |