When is Mardi Gras 2025? Here's what to know as Fat Tuesday approaches
Mardi Gras will conclude weeks of partying, parades and eating lots and lots of king cake. Then shortly after is the start of Lent.
Here's everything you need to know about Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras 2025:When is Fat Tuesday? What to know about the last day of Mardi Gras
What is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras, which is also known as Fat Tuesday, is a day of indulgence that marks the end of Carnival. It's immediately followed by Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is a 40-day season of fasting, excluding Sundays, that is observed by Christians which leads up to Easter Sunday.
Mardi Gras is the last and "biggest day of celebration," according to Mardi Gras New Orleans.
When is Mardi Gras?
In 2025, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, March 4.
Like Ash Wednesday and Easter, Mardi Gras' date changes depending on the Spring Equinox and can even be in a different month from year to year.
Mardi Gras will always fall on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is always about seven weeks before Easter.
What is Carnival?
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.
Many Roman-Catholic countries and communities celebrate Carnival, according to Britannica.
The final day of Carnival is Mardi Gras, which always falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Is there a difference between Mardi Gras and Carnival?
While Carnival is a season that takes place over weeks and months, Mardi Gras is just one day, specifically the last day of Carnival.
Mardi Gras is Carnival's grand finale and is the day that closes out the festive season.
Where is Mardi Gras celebrated?
While one of the most famous Mardi Gras celebrations is in New Orleans, the holiday is celebrated across the globe, from North America, to South America, Europe and Asia.
The maps below shows which countries hold Mardi Gras celebrations and which states hold the most notable celebrations in the U.S.
Can't see the maps? Click here and here.
Contributing: Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
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