Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, is the final day of Carnival before Lent begins, celebrated in countries like the United States, France, and Italy. Marked by parades, feasting, and revelry, it falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, with traditions varying widely across regions.

• Falls on the day before Ash Wednesday
• Known for parades and masked balls in New Orleans and Venice
• Pancake races and feasts are common in the UK
• Gilles throw oranges at Binche Carnival in Belgium
• Traditions include using up rich foods before Lent

What it is

Mardi Gras is a festive day that marks the culmination of Carnival, falling just before the Christian season of Lent. Its name, French for 'Fat Tuesday', reflects the tradition of enjoying rich foods—especially meat and sweets—before the fasting and reflection of Lent begins. For many, it is a time of joyful celebration, parades, and community gatherings, offering a last opportunity for indulgence and merrymaking. The festival is deeply rooted in Christian customs but has grown into a cultural event, blending religious significance with local traditions and exuberant public festivities.

Where it comes from

The origins of Mardi Gras trace back to Christian Europe, where the days leading up to Lent were a time to use up foods like meat, eggs, and dairy, which would be avoided during the fasting season. The practice spread with French and Spanish settlers to the Americas, notably to places like Mobile and New Orleans in the United States. Over centuries, these pre-Lenten celebrations evolved, incorporating local customs and becoming synonymous with elaborate parades, masked balls, and public revelry. In some regions, the festival’s roots also connect to older pagan traditions marking the approach of spring.

How it is celebrated

Celebrations of Mardi Gras vary widely. In New Orleans, the festival is famous for its grand parades, colorful floats, masked balls, and the tossing of beads and trinkets. Social clubs known as 'krewes' organize elaborate events and processions. In Italy, especially Venice, people don ornate masks and costumes, while in Belgium, performers called Gilles throw oranges to crowds. Food plays a central role: pancakes in the UK, semla buns in Sweden, and rich pastries and meats elsewhere. Many communities ring church bells, host public dances, and hold street parties, all culminating in a final night of festivity before Lent’s austerity begins.

Joining in

Visitors can immerse themselves in Mardi Gras celebrations in cities like New Orleans, Venice, and Binche. Expect lively crowds, music, and a spirit of openness—costumes and masks are often encouraged. In New Orleans, parades fill the streets and local traditions like catching beads from floats are a highlight. In Europe, each city offers its own flavor, from the masked balls of Venice to the folk processions of the Czech Republic. Arriving early and respecting local customs will help you make the most of this exuberant farewell to winter indulgence.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Mardi Gras, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Mardi Gras on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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