Abrahamic / Middle Eastern Christianity When Is Mardi Gras? Find the Date of Mardi Gras in This and Other Years Share Flipboard Email Print John Miles/The Image Bank/Getty Images Christianity Catholicism Holy Days and Holidays Beliefs and Teachings Prayers Tips Worship Saints Christianity Origins The Bible The New Testament The Old Testament Practical Tools for Christians Christian Life For Teens Christian Prayers Weddings Inspirational Bible Devotions Denominations of Christianity Christian Holidays Christian Entertainment Key Terms in Christianity Latter Day Saints View More By Scott P. Richert Scott P. Richert Catholicism Expert M.A., Political Theory, Catholic University of America B.A., Political Theory, Michigan State University Scott P. Richert is senior content network manager of Our Sunday Visitor. He has written about Catholicism for outlets including Humanitas and Catholic Answers Magazine. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on June 25, 2019 Mardi Gras is the final day before Lent, the season of repentance—marked by fasting, abstinence, prayer, and almsgiving—in preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Mardi Gras is often celebrated by eating rich foods and meat—the kinds of thing that people give up for Lent. When is Mardi Gras? How Is the Date of Mardi Gras Determined? While many people think of Mardi Gras as a season, the term is French for "Fat Tuesday." Mardi Gras is the day before Ash Wednesday, which always falls 46 days before Easter. (See What Determines the Date of Ash Wednesday? for more information.) Because Ash Wednesday is dependent on the date of Easter (see When Is Easter?), and Easter is a moveable feast, the date of Mardi Gras changes every year, too. When Is Mardi Gras This Year? Here is the date of Mardi Gras this year: Mardi Gras 2017: February 28, 2017 Planning a Mardi Gras party? Check out this list of Fat Tuesday recipes! When Is Mardi Gras in Future Years? Here are the dates of Mardi Gras next year and in future years: Mardi Gras 2018: February 13, 2018Mardi Gras 2019: March 5, 2019Mardi Gras 2020: February 25, 2020Mardi Gras 2021: February 16, 2021Mardi Gras 2022: March 1, 2022Mardi Gras 2023: February 21, 2023Mardi Gras 2024: February 13, 2024Mardi Gras 2025: March 4, 2025Mardi Gras 2026: February 17, 2026Mardi Gras 2027: February 9, 2027Mardi Gras 2028: February 29, 2028Mardi Gras 2029: February 13, 2029Mardi Gras 2030: March 5, 2030 When Was Mardi Gras in Previous Years? Here are the dates when Mardi Gras fell in previous years, going back to 2007: Mardi Gras 2007: February 20, 2007Mardi Gras 2008: February 5, 2008Mardi Gras 2009: February 24, 2009Mardi Gras 2010: February 16, 2010Mardi Gras 2011: March 8, 2011Mardi Gras 2012: February 21, 2012Mardi Gras 2013: February 12, 2013Mardi Gras 2014: March 4, 2014Mardi Gras 2015: February 17, 2015Mardi Gras 2016: February 9, 2016 Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Richert, Scott P. "When Is Mardi Gras?" Learn Religions, Feb. 16, 2021, learnreligions.com/when-is-mardi-gras-542449. Richert, Scott P. (2021, February 16). When Is Mardi Gras? Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-mardi-gras-542449 Richert, Scott P. "When Is Mardi Gras?" Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-mardi-gras-542449 (accessed March 25, 2023). copy citation