What is Mardi Gras?

What is the purpose of Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is a celebration of Christian origin. It is the last day of a carnival period, where people used to eat “fat”, to empty the reserves before Ash Wednesday, which marks the entry into Lent.

It is a time of fantasy and fun before the austerity of the weeks of fasting to prepare for Easter. So, the last celebrations before resolutely launching into a time of prayer, meditation and penance.

When is Mardi Gras in 2026?

This year, the date of the Mardi Gras festivities falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. That is, the day before the official start of Lent with the celebration of Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, March 18, 2026). Its date differs each year. It is in fact calculated based on that of Easter (Sunday April 5, 2026).

Why is carnival associated with Mardi Gras?

Already, in Roman times, the arrival of spring was celebrated with the Calends of March. It was an opportunity to disguise yourself, to transgress the taboos. The word carnival comes from the Latin “carne vale”, which means “farewell to the flesh”.

That is to say, before entering the forty days of Lent, a time of fasting and abstinence for Christianity, one had to take advantage of it to dress up, dance, have feasts and good feasts, sometimes to excess. Effective way to celebrate before a long time of penance and necessary moderation.

Where does the tradition of donuts come from during Mardi Gras?

On Mardi Gras, it is also traditional to make donuts, waffles or carnival specialties. Merveilles, bugnes, crepes, auricles, tourtisseaux (Vendée donuts), they vary according to the regions and local cultures.

And this for good reason: it was necessary to consume eggs, butter, in short, “fatty” products, sometimes perishable, which would not be consumed during Lent and could not be kept for six weeks.

What happens after Mardi Gras?

The next day is the start of Lent, with Ash Wednesday. Forty days of penance (not counting Sundays), until Easter. A period of austerity to prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, three days after his Passion on the Cross of Golgotha.