Fat Tuesday 2024: Mardi Gras Celebration and Important Details

Countdown to Mardi Gras begins in New Orleans with parades, beads, and King Cake. Learn more about the holiday's history and traditions.

The countdown to Mardi Gras begins in New Orleans, marking the start of the vibrant and colorful celebrations that have become synonymous with the holiday. While many people associate Fat Tuesday with beads and parades, the holiday has a rich history and unique traditions that date back to 1699 in the United States.

Originally a French holiday, Mardi Gras gained popularity in New Orleans due to the city's strong French influence. Today, cities across the country join in on the festivities, with Arizona residents also eagerly anticipating the celebrations.

Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. The holiday is a time for indulgence before the period of fasting and abstinence leading up to Easter.

In New Orleans, the celebrations include grand parades, both day and night, where festival-goers are adorned with vibrant beads in the traditional colors of yellow, gold, green, and purple. Another popular tradition is the indulgence in King Cake, a colorful pastry with a plastic baby figurine hidden inside.

The name "Fat Tuesday" comes from the custom of using and eating all the fats in one's home before Lent begins, symbolizing the preparation for the fasting and abstinence of the season.

As the countdown to Mardi Gras begins, people from around the world are drawn to the vibrant carnival celebration in New Orleans, making it a must-see event for anyone looking to experience the rich traditions and history of the holiday. So, before you go, be sure to read up on the history of the holiday, find out how it's celebrated, and when the festivities begin and end. It's a celebration not to be missed!