When is Mardi Gras 2026?
In 2026, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Mardi Gras — also called Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday — is the day before Ash Wednesday and the last day before the Lenten fast begins. It takes its name from the old custom of using up rich foods before Lent.
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Key liturgical dates in 2026
| Ash Wednesday | February 18, 2026 |
| Palm Sunday | March 29, 2026 |
| Good Friday | April 3, 2026 |
| Easter Sunday | April 5, 2026 |
| Ascension | May 14, 2026 |
| Pentecost | May 24, 2026 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is Mardi Gras in 2026?
In 2026, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Why does the date of Mardi Gras change each year?
Its date depends on the date of Easter, which is a movable feast set as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. Because Easter moves, so do the feasts calculated from it.