Mardi Gras facts for kids
Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday." It's a big party day right before Ash Wednesday. This day marks the end of the fun Carnival season and the start of Lent. Lent is a time when some people give up certain things for 40 days.
Lots of cities, especially those with many Catholic people, are famous for their Mardi Gras celebrations. New Orleans is one of the most well-known. During Mardi Gras, almost everyone joins in the fun. There are huge parades and exciting parties.
People celebrate Mardi Gras in many different ways. Some have small parties and enjoy tasty pastries. Others throw huge parties and celebrate in a big way. Some popular pastries include king's cake, hot cross buns, and thick sugar cookies. These are common American foods for Mardi Gras. There are so many different parades and kinds of celebrations around the world!
In some countries, like the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia, this day is called Shrove Tuesday. It's also known as Pancake Tuesday or Pancake Day.
Mardi Gras Traditions
The length of the festival season changes from city to city. In New Orleans, Louisiana, Mardi Gras can last from Twelfth Night (the last night of Christmas, starting Epiphany) all the way to Ash Wednesday. Other places celebrate just the three days before Ash Wednesday.
In Mobile, Alabama, Mardi Gras events start even earlier. Social gatherings begin in November. Special balls are held by "mystic societies" on Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. Then, parades and more balls happen in January and February. The celebrations continue until midnight before Ash Wednesday. In the past, parades were even held on New Year's Day.
Other cities famous for their Mardi Gras parties include Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Barranquilla, Colombia; George Town, Cayman Islands; Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; Quebec City, Canada; and Mazatlán, Mexico.
Carnival is a very important celebration in Anglican and Catholic European countries. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the week before Ash Wednesday is called "Shrovetide." It ends on Shrove Tuesday. This week also has many fun celebrations. Pancakes are a traditional food to eat. Pancakes and similar fried breads made with sugar, fat, and eggs are also eaten in many parts of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Images for kids
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Knights of Revelry parade down Royal Street in Mobile during the 2010 Mardi Gras season.
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Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 1937
See also
In Spanish: Mardi Gras (Martes de Carnaval) para niños
