February 17, 2026 is Fat Tuesday of famed New Orleans Mardi Gras!
Mardi Gras, meaning “Fat Tuesday,” is a pre-Lenten carnival tradition rooted in medieval European celebrations, particularly in Rome and Venice. It’s a time of feasting and revelry before the 40-day period of fasting and abstinence known as Lent. The tradition spread to France and then to French colonies in the Americas, notably New Orleans and Mobile, where it developed into a unique and vibrant cultural event.
To read about Mardi Gras events click here: New Orleans Mardi Gras.