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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 (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. 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. Whether you celebrate Mardi Gras for its connection to Christian traditions, its cultural significance, or simply for the fun and revelry, it remains an enduring and beloved festival. In places like New Orleans, Mardi Gras has become a symbol of the city’s identity, representing unity, diversity, and the joy of living life to the fullest. As 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? 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? 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. What does Mardi Gras mean? Translated to English, "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday." Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and gras means "fat." This name comes from the custom of eating all the fatty, rich foods in the house prior to Lent in order to prepare for fasting and abstinence. So, Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The origins of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras traces its roots to ancient Roman festivals like Saturnalia, which involved feasting and revelry. With the advent of Christianity, these traditions were adapted into Carnival—a period of indulgence before the austerity of Lent. Mardi Gras specifically refers to the day before Ash Wednesday, when people The Mardi Gras season, also known as Carnival, begins on January 6th and ends on March 4th, 2025. The first Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S. took place in 1699, but celebrations were temporarily The annual celebration of Mardi Gras is a Carnival season that begins on Jan. 6 and culminates on Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras is celebrated with parades, festive attire and the consumption of king cake. The Lafayette Police Department is preparing for Mardi Gras parade season with street closures and safety measures in place. Barricades will be placed along parade routes, and entering these areas Asheville Mardi Gras will host its 18th annual parade on March 2 in downtown Asheville. The parade will begin at 3:05 p.m. at the corner of Short Coxe and Coxe Avenues. This year's parade theme is Mardi Gras was celebrated soon after the city of New Orleans was founded in 1718, but was briefly banned when the Spanish took control of New Orleans until Louisiana became a U.S. state in 1812 Alexei Romanov, grand duke of Russia, concluded his goodwill tour of the United States in New Orleans just in time for Mardi Gras 1872. The rumor mill linked him romantically to English singer Lydia Thompson, whose tune “If Ever I Cease to Love” was the song of the season. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, falls on March 4 this year and is celebrated in many places including Florida. Many Florida cities are hosting Mardi Gras celebrations, including parades, live music 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. 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. Asheville Mardi Gras will host events before Sunday's parade. On March 1, meet the 2025 royalty, King Tom Good Heart Marshall and Queen Jill Bielewski, at 6 p.m. at Green Man Brewery’s The Mansion, 27 Buxton Ave. Beneath the Veil - A Mardi Gras Masquerade will be at 7:30 p.m. at Eulogy, Burial Beer's music venue, 10 Buxton Ave. Asheville
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