Mardi Gras is more than just a day, it’s an entire season. Carnival season begins on Twelfth Night (January 6) and ends on Fat Tuesday. It’s during this time period that king cakes make their debut - and fly off the shelves all season long. Mardi Gras Indians’ elaborate “suits” are hand-sewn with thousands of beads and take all year No matter what aspect of Mardi Gras you’re interested in, we have Mardi Gras facts and trivia for you! Keep reading to learn more about this special holiday. Plus, for more fun this Fat Tuesday be sure to check out our free printables for Mardi Gras including this word search , word scramble and these coloring pages . Mardi Gras Facts. 1. "Mardi Gras" translates directly to "Fat Tuesday." 2. Mardi Gras is the final day of carnival celebrations before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.. 3. Most carnival Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, is also known as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras Day is the last day of Carnival season. Carnivals include balls, parties and parades with floats and costumed dancers. That’s why, to really prep you for the holiday, we’re here with a host of need-to-know Mardi Gras facts. (The date for Mardi Gras 2025 is later this year, so there’s really no excuse for not getting up to speed!) Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” a pretty-spot on name for the last event of Carnival season before heading in to Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, who came to defend France's claim on Louisiana. The very first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Sieur de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans. They held a small celebration Mardi Gras is not just for humans; New Orleans hosts a "Krewe of Barkus" parade, where dogs don costumes and join the fun. The largest Mardi Gras float ever built was over 330 feet long and carried more than 200 riders. Mardi Gras in Popular Culture. Mardi Gras has made its mark in popular culture, appearing in movies, music, and literature. 1. Mobile Is The Birthplace Of Mardi Gras. First things first: The beloved tradition was actually born in Mobile, Alabama, though many associate it with New Orleans. Mobile first celebrated Mardi Gras in 1703, with the party really heating up in 1831. Mardi Gras is still a huge event in Mobile, with dozens of balls and parades every year. Mardi Gras Fun Facts – 75 Mardi Gras Fun Facts . Here are 75 fun facts about Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, and Pancake Day. The colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold, which represent justice, faith, and power, respectively. The first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans took place in 1837. Mardi Gras Fast Facts. By CNN Newsource. Published January 24, 2025 11:50 AM . CNN Editorial Research Mardi Gras is a holiday in 29 Louisiana parishes and two counties in Alabama. It’s a CNN Editorial Research (CNN) — Here’s a look at Mardi Gras, a celebration held the day before the fasting season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. March 4, 2025 – Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). January 6 – Carnival season celebrations begin on this date each year, continuing through midnight on Fat Tuesday. Facts Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, is also known as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras Day is the last day of Carnival season. Carnivals include balls, parties and parades with floats and costumed dancers. Mardi Gras Fast Facts. By CNN Newsource. Published January 24, 2025 10:50 AM . CNN Editorial Research Mardi Gras is a holiday in 29 Louisiana parishes and two counties in Alabama. It’s a Mardi Gras Fast Facts. By CNN Newsource. Published January 24, 2025 10:50 am . CNN Editorial Research Mardi Gras is a holiday in 29 Louisiana parishes and two counties in Alabama. It’s a 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. Read CNN’s Fast Facts about Mardi Gras, a celebration held the day before the fasting season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, is synonymous with revelry before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Festivities begin on Jan. 6, known as the Feast of the Epiphany, Twelfth Night or Three Facts. Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, is also known as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras Day is the last day of Carnival season. Carnivals include balls, parties and parades with floats and costumed dancers. The colors of Mardi Gras are purple (justice), gold (power) and green (faith). Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Also known as Carnival or Carnaval, it’s celebrated in Mardi Gras masks are more than just festive accessories—they carry a rich history and cultural significance. Every detail, Mardi Gras color and design tells a story, and the artists who craft
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |