Mardi Gras Carnival

"Fat" or Shrove Tuesday

How to calculate the Mardi Gras date

First, determine the date for Easter of any given year (the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox). Then count back 47 days (40 days of Lent plus Holy Week) to find Mardi Gras Day.

Mardi Gras can fall as early as 3 February and as late as 9 March.

Dictionary definition of Mardi Gras

Dictionary:Mardi Gras
Pronunciation: 'mär-dE-"grä, in New Orleans commonly -"gro
Function: noun
Etymology: French, literally, fat Tuesday
Date: 1699

A complex celebration

Shrove Tuesday is often observed (as in New Orleans) with parades and festivities.
It is also a carnival period climaxing on Shrove Tuesday.
It can also mean any festive occasion resembling a pre-Lenten Mardi Gras.