Easter & the Christian calendar · in 238 days
When is Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday)?
Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) 2027 is on Tuesday, February 9, 2027.
Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) 2027 falls on Tuesday, February 9, 2027.
The final day of feasting before Lent, famous for carnival celebrations in New Orleans and around the world.
In 2026, it falls in ISO week 8. Need the full year's calendar? See all 2026 weeks, or browse every other date.
At a glance
The history of Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday)
Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday") is the last day of Carnival, the season of feasting before the 40 days of Lenten fasting. The tradition reaches back to medieval Europe, where households used up rich foods like eggs, milk and fat before the fast. French settlers brought it to New Orleans in 1699, and the city's parades date to the early 19th century. The British and Irish version is Shrove Tuesday, when pancakes use up the household's eggs and butter.
Also known as: Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day
How Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is celebrated
New Orleans hosts parades with elaborate floats, beads, masks and the colours purple, green and gold. Brazil's Carnival in Rio de Janeiro draws millions. The traditional foods are pancakes (UK, Ireland), king cake (US Gulf Coast) and beignets. Anyone fasting through Lent traditionally indulges one last time.
Did you know?
New Orleans Mardi Gras parades date back to 1837.
The traditional purple-green-gold colours represent justice, faith and power.
Brazilian Carnival is the largest Mardi Gras celebration in the world.
Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) in upcoming years
How the date is set
47 days before Easter Sunday, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Because all of these dates pivot on Easter, they shift together each year. See the Easter page for the rule that anchors the whole cycle.
Sources & further reading
For more detail on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), see these references.
Related dates
Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday): questions and answers
When is Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) 2027?
Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) 2027 falls on Tuesday, February 9, 2027.
What day of the week is Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) this year?
In 2026, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is a Tuesday, February 17.
How is the date of Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) determined?
47 days before Easter Sunday, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.