Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. It's most famously celebrated with parades in New Orleans Why Do We Celebrate Mardi Gras? The celebration of Mardi Gras has evolved over the centuries, but at its core, it remains a celebration of life, community, and indulgence . Originally rooted in religious traditions, Mardi Gras serves as a final opportunity to enjoy rich foods, drink, and revelry before the fasting and solemnity of Lent. 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] 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. What does Mardi Gras mean? In French, Mardi means “Tuesday” and gras means “fat.” That’s why the day is also referred to as Fat Tuesday. The word originated in France and was what people used to describe the day before Ash Wednesday, when they would binge on rich foods such as meat, eggs, milk, and cheese before Lent began. Mardi Gras comes to a close on Tuesday night, and soon, those who celebrate will exclaim “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” or “Let the good times roll” for the last time this Carnival season. What is Mardi Gras and why do we celebrate it? Did you know that Mardi Gras is actually a religious holiday? Mardi Gras, also called Fat Tuesday, is a Christian feast day that occurs during a period of time known as Carnival. Carnival begins on January 6 (known as Epiphany or Three Kings Day) and concludes with Mardi Gras. Why is Mardi Gras celebrated? Mardi Gras is celebrated in many countries around the world, though mainly in places with large Roman Catholic populations. It's believed that Mardi Gras emerged from the wild ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia. These pagan celebrations involved days of feasting, masquerading, dancing, and drinking. In 2025, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, March 4. Mardi Gras—just one of the festival’s many names—is marked by raucous parties and parades, revelers wearing elaborate costumes, and delicious The colors of Mardi Gras were selected by the Krewe of Rex in 1872. Purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power. King Cake Only eaten during Mardi Gras, King cakes are a cross between a French pastry and a coffee cake, topped with icing and sugar in the Mardi Gras colors. Here's what we know about the upcoming dates and more for Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Lent, Ash Wednesday and Easter: Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox Why the name Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday? The name is believed to have come from the practice of eating richer, fatty foods prior to fasting during the Lenten season. How is the date for Mardi Gras determined? You better sit down for this one. The date of Mardi Gras is determined by the date of Easter. Mardi Gras falls 47 days before Easter. The first Mardi Gras celebration in America was celebrated in 1703 in the settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile. Mardi Gras was celebrated soon after the city of New Orleans was founded in 1718 Why do we dress up for Mardi Gras? After Chandeleur , at the beginning of February, comes Mardi Gras a few weeks later. Often confused in date and celebration, these holidays are quite distinct Mardi Gras has pagan roots and it is no wonder that we see a lot of its negative consequences. If it is of God, it should edify us more. But as you have already observed, Mardi Gras brings us farther from God. The Bible gave us a stern warning if we still choose to celebrate Mardi Gras after knowing the truth. We read in Galatians 5:19-21: Why the name Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday? The name is believed to have come from the practice of eating richer, fatty foods prior to fasting during the Lenten season. How is the date for Mardi Gras determined? You better sit down for this one. The date of Mardi Gras is determined by the date of Easter. Mardi Gras falls 47 days before Easter. Why the name Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday? The name is believed to have come from the practice of eating richer, fatty foods prior to fasting during the Lenten season. How is the date for Mardi Gras determined? You better sit down for this one. The date of Mardi Gras is determined by the date of Easter. Mardi Gras falls 47 days before Easter. Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a vibrant celebration filled with parades, music, and colorful costumes. But what exactly is Mardi Gras, and why is it celebrated? Mardi Gras marks the last day before Lent, a period of fasting and reflection for many Mardi Gras' origins can be traced back to France and Italy, but today, New Orleans is the largest and most famous place for the event. While New Orleans has made a name for itself in terms of Mardi Gras is the climax of Carnival season and is celebrated the day before the Christian season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. In French, Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday,” another name for
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