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. Mardi Gras is Carnival's grand finale and is the day that ends the festive season. What do the Mardi Gras colors represent? According to Mardi Gras New Orleans, the holiday's colors have a meaning. But Mardi Gras is an entire season, often called Carnival. It begins 12 days after Christmas on Jan. 6 and lasts until Fat Tuesday, or the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. 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 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 Mardi Gras is the last and "biggest day of celebration," according to Mardi Gras New Orleans. Carnival celebrations begin on "Twelfth Night," also known as the Epiphany, which falls on Monday Mardi Gras marks the end of the pre-Lenten season. Fat Tuesday is a day of feasting before the fasting of Lent begins. Easter, the culmination of the Lenten season, will be celebrated on April 20 When is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent? begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and ends on Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2025. What is Carnival season? You’ll sometimes hear Mardi Gras referred to as “Carnival.” Technically, this term refers to the period of feasting that begins on January 6 (the Feast of the Epiphany) and ends on Mardi Gras. In cities such as New Orleans (U.S.), Rio Janeiro (Brazil), and Venice (Italy), there are week-long festivals leading up to Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Carnival officially ends at midnight on Fat Tuesday and Lent begins. Phunny Phorty Fellows , a band of Twelfth Night revelers, holds its annual ride on the St. Charles Streetcar January 6, also called Twelfth Night. The Carnival season will end on Mardi Gras, which is now one week away! From parades to colorful beads and masks, there are dozens of traditions involved in Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday The Carnival season will end on Mardi Gras, which is now one week away! From parades to colorful beads and masks, there are dozens of traditions involved in Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday French for “Fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras is the culmination of the Carnival season, which begins on Twelfth Night on January 6th and ends with a final hurrah just before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Parades, music, balls, costumes, and celebrations occur throughout the entire Carnival season, but Mardi Gras itself is technically the final day Observed in New Orleans, the Carnival season began on Jan. 6 this year and ends with Mardi Gras the day before the start of the Lenten season. Parades in New Orleans began in early January. Sunday, March 2 – 63rd Annual Church Point Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club Courir de Mardi Gras – 1036 E Ebey – Saddle Tramp Clubhouse, Church Point.Courir begins at 8 a.m. and ends downtown for Find tickets & information for SacTown Mardi Gras Party UPDATE. Where the Parade Ends & the Party Begins. happening at 21st-24th Broadway , Sacramento, on Sat, 01 Mar, 2025 at 07:00 pm PST. Register or Buy Tickets, Price information. Mardi Gras is Carnival's grand finale and is the day that ends the festive season. What do the Mardi Gras colors represent? According to Mardi Gras New Orleans, the holiday's colors have a meaning. Known for its spectacular parades, floats, marching bands, throws, and King cake, Mardi Gras is the biggest celebration in New Orleans. The first recorded Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans took 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 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.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |