Mardi Gras Dates New Orleans’ BIG annual event, Mardi Gras, is always the day before Ash Wednesday which itself is always forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays). But to simplify matters for carnival historians–and for those eager to partake in the revelries to come–here is a list of dates for Mardi Gras celebrations back to 1947 as well as for the years through 2050. Pass a good The first year that Mardi Gras was celebrated on a grand scale in Galveston was 1871 with the emergence of two rival Mardi Gras societies, or "Krewes" called the Knights of Momus (known only by the initials "K.O.M.") and the Knights of Myth, both of which devised night parades, masked balls, exquisite costumes and elaborate invitations. Mardi Gras 2025 falls on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Mardi Gras Day is March 4, 2025. Fat Tuesday is the last day of the Carnival season as it always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. The official start of Carnival Season is Twelfth Night, January 6. Book your hotel room now and Reserve your Mardi Gras package Mardi Gras Past and Present Traditions from the past that live on today. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in New Orleans since the explorer Iberville first set foot here on Mardi Gras Day 1699. In French colonial days, wealthy members of Creole society threw lavish Mardi Gras balls from Twelfth Night (Jan. 6) to Fat Tuesday Eve. In the year 2000, a local electronics engineer, Willie Clark, introduced an upgraded version of the classic, naming them Mardi Gras Coconuts. These new coconuts were first used by the club in 2002, giving the souvenirs to royalty and city notables. Here are the dates of Mardi Gras next year and in future years: Mardi Gras 2018: February 13, 2018; Mardi Gras 2019: March 5, 2019; Mardi Gras 2020: February 25, 2020; 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 is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras 2025 falls on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Nothing about Mardi Gras is predictable – not even the date. Unlike Christmas or the 4th of July which always fall on the same calendar day, the only thing you can count on for sure with Carnival is that Fat Tuesday will fall on, well, a Tuesday. 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 While New Orleans may be most known for Mardi Gras in the U.S. today, the tiny settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile celebrated America’s very first Mardi Gras in 1703. Mardi Gras was celebrated in New Orleans soon after the city’s founding in 1718. The first recorded Mardi Gras street parade in New Orleans took place in 1837. As a passholder, Universal gives some great perks for the Mardi Gras event. This year, the perks include: Passholders Save 15% on the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience. The Annual Passholders Special viewing area for the Mardi Gras Parade near Mel’s Drive-In. 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? BHMRS Mardi Gras Charity Gala. BHMRS is a local non-profit aimed at promoting philanthropy throughout North and Central Alabama. This year, they’re hosting a Mardi Gras Charity Gala to raise money for the Central Alabama Food Bank. When: Saturday, February 15 | 7-11PM Mardi Gras falls on a different Tuesday each year based on Easter’s date, which determines the date of Ash Wednesday. This year, Mardi Gras is Tuesday, March 4. Mardi Gras parades 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 By the 19th century, this version—made with milk or cream, liquor (typically brandy, bourbon, or rum), sugar, and spices like nutmeg or vanilla—became a staple for brunches, holiday gatherings, and Mardi Gras celebrations. This year is a relatively late Mardi Gras, and on Sunday, particularly great weather makes for a big crowd at this unique event. “Coming out here to the widows is a great day to celebrate our history and Mardi Gras,” Stephanie Evans said. Their specialty throw will change each year to coincide with their theme. Algiers Mardi Gras Parade and Festival. The Algiers Mardi Gras Parade and Festival will be back on Saturday, February 1 at New Orleans Federal City in Algiers. Entertainment will include Brass-A-Holics, Amanda Shaw, The U.S. Marine Reserve Jazz Band and more. Each year, the Mardi Gras parade schedule varies. Parades run for several weeks, from Twelfth Night on January 6th to Fat Tuesday (which is March 4th this year). As described above, most of the major parades take place in the two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, with the biggest ones happening on the weekend before Fat Tuesday, March 1-4, 2025. On March 2, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived at a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans, and named it "Pointe du Mardi Gras" when his men realized it was the eve of the festive holiday. Bienville also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |