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Numerous countries with a Christian heritage also host pre-Lenten festivals. Belgium. Belgium's best-known Mardi Gras celebration dates back to the 14th century in the Carnival of Binche, which features the Gilles, a group of about 1,000 men who dress up in linen suits traditionally designed with the colors of the Belgian flag. Brazil 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. What does Mardi Gras Celebrate? Mardi Gras is the period of celebration before the somber, fasting period of Lent begins for many Christians. The length of the celebrations varies from country to country. But, traditionally, the French celebrated Mardi Gras from the feast of the Epiphany (when the Three Kings visited the Baby Jesus) until Ash Mardi Gras in France is a time of revelry, tradition, and artistic expression. Mardi Gras in other countries. While Brazil and France are well-known for their Mardi Gras celebrations, several other countries also partake in this festive occasion. In the United States, New Orleans holds the most famous Mardi Gras celebrations outside of Brazil. Along with Christianity, Mardi Gras spread from Rome to other European countries, including France, Germany, Spain and England. What Does Mardi Gras Mean? Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and This day is called the "Courir de Mardi Gras" and comes from the way medieval France celebrated Mardi Gras, which settlers brought to Louisiana with them in centuries past. United Kingdom and the The term is French for “Fat Tuesday.” France is a predominantly Catholic country and celebrated Mardi Gras early on. This is why most of the long-standing Mardi Gras celebrations in the US are in places with a history of colonization by the French, like Louisiana and Alabama. In New Orleans, the festival is called Carnaval, and Mardi Gras Some of the countries that celebrate Mardi Gras include Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, and Spain. Mardi Gras is a time to celebrate before the start of Lent. The last day of the Carnival season is called Marimba Gras. France, Germany, Russia, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Poland, the United Kingdom, and many other countries hold carnivals. Les Gilles de Binche celebrating Mardi Gras in Binche, Belgium. Mark Renders/Stringer/Getty Images 4. Binche, Belgium. Celebrated south of Brussels in Belgium’s Hainaut province from March 2-4, the Carnival of Binche centers on the area’s unique folklore. You may have seen its concluding March of the Gilles, which takes place on Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras has become known for its use of beads, masks, and traditional colors of purple, green and gold in the United States, but how is it celebrated elsewhere? In the UK, Fat Tuesday is called "Shrove Tuesday." It is traditional for people to eat pancakes and participate in pancake-related festivities. 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. 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 What are some other names for Mardi Gras? Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, the end of Carnival. the day is called The maps below show which countries hold Mardi Gras celebrations and which Mardi Gras is the last and "biggest day of celebration," according to Mardi Gras New Orleans. What are some other names for Mardi Gras? Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, the end of Carnival. 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 One of the defining features of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the krewes, or social organizations, that are responsible for organizing the parades, balls, and other events. The first official Mardi Gras krewe, known as the Mistick Krewe of Comus, was established in 1856. This krewe introduced many of the traditions still seen today, including 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 Carnival marks a festive season that begins on Jan. 6 and is called "Twelfth Night," also known as the Epiphany, and ends the day before Ash Wednesday. The maps below show which countries hold 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 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. Is Mardi Gras celebrated in other countries?
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