What is Mardi Gras, and why is it celebrated? The name Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, so called because it is the last day of feasting before the sacrifices and fasting that define the Christian season of Lent. But despite the fact that the holiday is associated with the Christian faith, everyone can participate. In New Orleans (pronounced "Orlins" by locals), the entire city does. Different clubs, or krewes, host parades and masked balls in the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, and the holiday is renowned for merry-making and fun. Everyone should go, at least once in their lives!
When is Mardi Gras 2023? Mardi Gras changes dates each year because it is connected to Easter, which also changes dates each year. Mardi Gras always falls exactly 47 days before Easter. This year, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. However, the Carnival season is much longer than just one day. Each year, Carnival begins on January 6, or the Feast of the Epiphany in the Christian faith. The season ends on Mardi Gras, which is always the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season in the Christian faith. That means that this year, Carnival runs from January 6 to February 20.
Just an FYI... It was January 1975 and we left the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi about 10 PM and arrived in New Orleans on Bourbon Street about midnight. First, we partied at Pat O'Briens where I had my first Hurricane. We partied all night long at several other places with Dixieland jazz bands... I vaguely remember having a Purple People Eater - and yet we made it back to campus for 8 AM classes... I think I was hungover for a week, but the young bounce back fast. =)
@pamalama Thank you very much, Pam! I wish I could still really revel like I was 19 or 20. I start yawning about 10 PM these days. But you revel on girl! I'm with you in spirit. =)
That's a nice result!
I haven't heard about this until a few years ago. We do have such a marking point but there is no masquerade ball associated with it. When I first heard about the customs related to this event, I was in Vienna, walking to the office, and I noticed some peculiar people, at 8 a.m. Such as men wearing colourful wigs and bright lipstick and other such manifestations. And not only one. And when I asked my colleague there, he explained to me what was happening.
@monikozi Thank you, Monica. There are several Mask Balls during Mardi Gras done by different groups. The whole city of New Orleans celebrates it with lots of parades and music with bead tossing and parties. It's a big draw for tourists and a big money maker for the city.
@wakelys Thank you, Susan.
@skipt07 Thanks, Skip!
@mittens Thank you, Marilyn.
@rensala Thank you, Renee.
I haven't heard about this until a few years ago. We do have such a marking point but there is no masquerade ball associated with it. When I first heard about the customs related to this event, I was in Vienna, walking to the office, and I noticed some peculiar people, at 8 a.m. Such as men wearing colourful wigs and bright lipstick and other such manifestations. And not only one. And when I asked my colleague there, he explained to me what was happening.
@shutterbug49 Thank you!
@ludwigsdiana Thank you, Diana.
@ososki Thanks, Bill.
@dkellogg Thank you so much, David!
@monikozi Thank you, Monica. There are several Mask Balls during Mardi Gras done by different groups. The whole city of New Orleans celebrates it with lots of parades and music with bead tossing and parties. It's a big draw for tourists and a big money maker for the city.
@ljmanning Thank you, Laura.