Mardi Gras Celebrations Ramp Up Across the U.S.

Fat Tuesday is just one week away, marking the culmination of the Carnival season.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a Christian holiday with origins dating back to pagan spring and fertility rites. The Mardi Gras season, also referred to as Carnival, begins on January 6 and lasts until Fat Tuesday, which this year falls on February 17, 2026. While New Orleans is the most famous Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S., the holiday is also marked in other cities across the country.

Why it matters

Mardi Gras is a significant cultural and economic event, particularly for cities like New Orleans that have built a strong identity and tourism industry around the celebrations. The holiday also has deep historical roots, tracing back to medieval Europe and the arrival of French colonists in North America.

The details

Mardi Gras celebrations typically feature vibrant colors, music, street parties, parades, and the consumption of indulgent foods like King Cakes before the fasting of Lent begins. While New Orleans is the most well-known Mardi Gras destination, the holiday is also celebrated in other U.S. cities with large Catholic populations, such as Mobile, Alabama, and various locations in Louisiana.

  • Mardi Gras season begins on January 6, also known as Three Kings Day or Epiphany.
  • Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, will be celebrated on February 17, 2026.

The players

Christy Garrison-Harrison

An assistant professor of history and women, gender, and sexuality studies at Southern University and A&M College, who has previously provided historical context on the origins of Mardi Gras.

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The takeaway

Mardi Gras is a vibrant and culturally significant celebration that has evolved over centuries, with New Orleans serving as the most famous and iconic host of the festivities in the United States. As the Carnival season reaches its peak, people across the country will come together to indulge, revel, and usher in the Lenten period.