New Orleans, United States– Mardi Gras in 2026 will take place on Tuesday, February 17, marking the final day of the Carnival season before the Christian observance of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, according to calendar and religious tradition sources. Celebrations are expected across New Orleans and globally, featuring parades, costumes, music, and feasting tied to the movable Easter calendar.
The date shifts each year because Mardi Gras is held the day before Ash Wednesday and 47 days before Easter, which falls on April 5 in 2026. This timing places Fat Tuesday squarely in mid-February for the upcoming celebration.
In New Orleans, parades and festivities traditionally begin on January 6, known as Twelfth Night, and build over several weeks toward Mardi Gras Day. Major krewesâincluding Rex, Zulu, and Crescent Cityâare scheduled to roll on February 17, forming the culmination of the cityâs Carnival season.
Across the Gulf Coast and in international cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Venice, Mardi Gras is similarly marked by public celebrations, masked balls, and elaborate street festivals that draw large crowds and reflect both cultural tradition and religious heritage.
The observance is rooted in centuries-old practices of feasting before the fasting period of Lent, with the name âMardi Grasâ translating from French as âFat Tuesday,â referencing the historical custom of using rich foods ahead of the seasonal fast.
In 2026, the holiday also coincides with Lunar New Year on the same date, a rare calendar alignment that has occurred only a handful of times in recent decades and highlights the global convergence of major cultural celebrations.
Parades, live music, and community gatherings are expected to remain central to the festivities, with local broadcasters and online streams providing coverage for audiences unable to attend in person.
The celebration concludes at the start of Ash Wednesday, signaling the transition from Carnivalâs public revelry to the solemn Lenten season in the Christian calendar.
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