Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras 2025 is a state holiday in 4 states and an observance, christian in 47 states. Feathered masks and colorful beads represent carnival parades in Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas. 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. Shrove Tuesday, also called Pancake Day, Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras (which is French for "Fat Tuesday"), is the last day of feasting before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday is a movable feast whose date whose date is linked to Easter , so it changes on an annual basis. Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is on Tuesday, March 4 this year. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday. Like Ash Wednesday and Easter, Mardi Gras' date changes annually based on the Spring Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) in 2025 is on Tuesday, March 4 (first Tuesday of March). Check also the date of Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) in 2026 and in the following years. Toggle navigation Toggle search box Calendar-12.com 12 months a year, day by day 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. Celebrations include festivals, parades, dancing and feasting before the fasting starting on Ash Wednesday Days to Mardi Gras 2025. Tuesday, March 4th is day number What is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras is a celebratory day marking the close of the pre-Lenten season. It's celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday − which is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday − 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. Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday, is a celebration that marks the final day before the Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday. In 2025, it falls on March 4 . But what exactly is it? The day before Lent begins is typically known as “Fat Tuesday,” or “Shrove Tuesday,” and is observed as a last hurrah before the six weeks of sacrifice begins. When is Mardi Gras 2025? Fat Tuesday Guide. Introduction; Mardi Gras History; Fat Tuesday Around the World; How to Celebrate Fat Tuesday; Fat Tuesday FAQs; Fat Tuesday is better known by its French translation, Mardi Gras. It takes place on the final day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. Mardi Gras in New Orleans, also known as Carnival, has been in full swing since Jan. 6 and will close with a grand, final celebration on March 4, better known as Fat Tuesday. Originating from 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 the dates and exact celebrations of Carnival vary by location, the United States celebrates Mardi Gras beginning 10 days before Shrove Tuesday, also called “Pancake Tuesday” or The annual celebration of Mardi Gras is a Carnival season that begins on Jan. 6 and culminates on Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras is celebrated with parades, festive attire and the consumption of king cake. Dates to remember for Portugal Carnaval 2025. 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 Mardi Gras known as Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday falls annually on the day before Ash Wednesday 2025: 3: Mardi Gras 2026: Tuesday, February 17, 2026: 353: Mardi Mardi Gras known as Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday falls annually on the day before Ash Wednesday 2025: 3: Mardi Gras 2026: Tuesday, February 17, 2026: 353: Mardi 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. Mardi Gras is French for “fat Tuesday”—the final feasting before the fasting of Lent, which begins tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday is also called Shrove Tuesday, a name that comes from the practice of shriving—purifying oneself through confession—prior to Lent. Many of the names applied to this day relate to food and eating.
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