When is Mardi Gras 2025? This year, Mardi Gras, which translates from French to "Fat Tuesday," is on March 4. Ash Wednesday is on March 5, the day marking the start of the 40-day Lenten season 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 In some parts of the country, official organizations control their Mardi Gras celebration, but this is not true in New Orleans. Q: When does Mardi Gras start and end? The Carnival season always begins on Jan. 6, which is King’s Day (Feast of the Epiphany). Mardi Gras day (Fat Tuesday), however, is on a different day each year. When does Carnival season start? The Mardi Gras season known as "Carnival" commences on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 and concludes on Fat Tuesday, March 4, 2025. When is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras was declared a legal state holiday within Louisiana in 1875. The official start of Carnival Season is marked by Twelfth Night, which is Jan. 6 this year. This year, Mardi Gras Day falls When is Mardi Gras 2025? 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 Mardi Gras festivities in 2024 are already set in New Orleans, starting on Jan. 6. These will continue until Feb. 13. These will continue until Feb. 13. This will be around five weeks of merriment. 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? 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. 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. 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. 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 Mardi Gras is traditionally celebrated on “Fat Tuesday,” the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. In many areas, however, Mardi Gras has evolved into a week-long festival. Mardi Catch spectacular floats, including colorful new ones inspired by New Orleans Mardi Gras traditions like masks, beads, food, music, and more. Mardi Gras (UK: / ˌ m ɑːr d i ˈ ɡ a hallmark of Shrovetide is the opportunity for a last round of merrymaking associated with Mardis Gras before the start of Sat., Feb. 22nd at 11:00 a.m. The Jolly Jester Jaunt – Official Mardi Gras! Galveston 5k. Runners dawning Mardi Gras themed t-shirts, socks and jester hats will “jaunt” through the Entertainment District Saturday morning for a 5k Fun Run that ends with free libations and a balcony party! 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. 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. Photo/aliveOne. aliveOne in Lincoln Park is bringing Bourbon Street revelry to Chicago this Fat Tuesday.. Guests can start the celebration early with a half-price happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring specials like $6 Abita Purple Haze beers and half-off everything (excluding shots). While Mardi Gras officially takes place on Fat Tuesday—the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent—in New Orleans, annual Mardi Gras festivities start weeks beforehand. This article originally appeared online in 2018 and was most recently updated in November 2024.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |