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Learn the differences between Mardi Gras and Shrove Tuesday, two festive occasions that mark the end of Lent. Find out how they are celebrated in different countries, what foods are associated with them, and why they have different names. Some even refer to the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Roman Catholic Church, (and those Protestant churches that observe Lent) as Shrove Tuesday. In the English-speaking countries, Shrove Tuesday became known as Pancake Day, because Christians used up their eggs, butter, and milk to make pancakes and other pastries. Mardi Gras is another name for Shrove Tuesday, and it’s a day of general excess and merrymaking for the same reason: it’s the final day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. You’ve also likely heard of carnival in relation to Mardi Gras, which comes from carnelevare, or “a removing of meat.” [1] When "Carnival" (Mardi gras) devolved into debauchery for some people, the Church tried to restore the penitential nature of this time. In 1748, Pope Benedict XIV instituted the "Forty Hours of Carnival," whereby prayers were offered, and the Blessed Sacrament was exposed in churches during the three days preceding Ash Wednesday. 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] New Orleans Mardi Gras (Infrogmation) COGwriter In 2025, March 4th is known in some places as Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday") and is called Shrove Tuesday in parts of the UK. In Brazil, they also use the same date. Voice of America reported the following: Fat Tuesday, which literally translates to "Mardi Gras." For Fat Tuesday: Known as Shrove Tuesday, Carnival Tuesday, or Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday“), this day falls on the eve of Ash Wednesday, signifying the beginning of Lent in Western Christianity. Across cultures like Brazil’s Carnaval, New Orleans, and parts of Europe, people revel in elaborate festivities and feasting before the Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras History in New Orleans. Fat Tuesday in America predates the birth of the U.S. Some form of Fat Tuesday celebration has been taking place in New Orleans since 1699. Back then, the celebrations stretched from the Epiphany (or 3 Kings Day), which is sometimes referred to as the 12th Night (a reference to the 12 Days of Mardi Gras – Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, and Carnival Season, and is a dynamic celebration occurring on varying dates each year due to its lunar roots. Mardi Gras masks. However, it consistently falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, marking the commencement of Lent. The British religious date is Shrove Tuesday - the day when you are shriven (= pardoned) for your sins before embarking on Lent - or pancake day because you use up your leftovers for the same reason. The European festival is Mardi Gras which has the same idea as Pancake Day - the last day of fat eating before 40 days of fasting. 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 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 The Mayor’s Mardi Gras Advisory Council plans an official “parade season,” designated by law as the 12 days before Mardi Gras. Each year, paradegoers eagerly anticipate the krewe parade Now that we've explored the origins and significance of Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day, Fat Tuesday, and Mardi Gras, you might be wondering how to celebrate these festive occasions. Here are a few ideas: Indulge in Pancakes: Whether you prefer them sweet or savory, pancakes are a delicious way to commemorate Pancake Day. Invite friends and family How Are Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday Connected to Lent? 1. Shrove Tuesday (Feasting Before Lent) A day to use up rich foods before the fasting season of Lent. Also called Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday”) and Pancake Day. A time for celebration and indulgence before sacrifice. 2. Ash Wednesday (Beginning of Lent) 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. As Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, and Ash Wednesday falls 46 days before Easter, meaning that Mardi Gras can fall in either February or March. In 2025 Easter Sunday falls on April 20. Mardi Gras vs. Carnival. While often used interchangeably, Mardi Gras and Carnival have distinct differences. Carnival refers to the entire festive season leading up to Lent, which can last weeks or even months in some cultures. Mardi Gras, on the other hand, specifically refers to Fat Tuesday – the final day of revelry before Ash Wednesday. 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 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 .
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