how long does mardi gras last
Mardi Gras, often misunderstood as just one day, actually spans an entire Carnival season that varies yearly but typically lasts about six weeks. In 2026, with Fat Tuesday falling on February 17, the festivities kicked off on January 6 (Epiphany or Twelfth Night) and wrapped up at midnight on that final Tuesday, totaling around 42 days.
Duration Breakdown
The full season runs from early January to mid-February (or March in later years), but the real action intensifies in the last 10-12 days —think non- stop parades, massive crowds, and peak energy from February 6 to 17 in 2026. Mardi Gras Day itself is technically just Fat Tuesday, the climax before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.
Here's how recent years stack up for context:
| Year | Mardi Gras Day | Season Length |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Feb 13 | ~5 weeks |
| 2025 | Mar 4 | ~8 weeks |
| 2026 | Feb 17 | ~6 weeks |
| 2027 | Feb 9 | ~4.5 weeks |
Peak Festival Period
- Build-up (Jan 6 - Feb 5, 2026): Smaller events, king cake parties, and early parades set the festive mood without overwhelming crowds.
- High season (Feb 6-17): Superkrewes roll out huge floats on weekends; daily parades hit St. Charles Avenue; hotels book solid months ahead.
- Fat Tuesday finale: All-day street parties in New Orleans' French Quarter, ending precisely at midnight as Lent starts—no exceptions.
Why the Length Varies
Tied to Easter's date (47 days prior for Fat Tuesday), the season flexes from 4-8 weeks annually, with New Orleans owning the most iconic stretch. Locals treat it like an extended holiday—schools close, beads drape every tree, and the city pulses with purple, green, and gold for weeks.
Common Myths Busted
"Mardi Gras is only one night." Nope—it's a season, though outsiders fixate on Fat Tuesday's chaos.
Travelers often arrive for 3-7 days in that final peak to catch the vibe without full-season burnout. Since it's February 13, 2026, we're in the home stretch right now—parades are ramping up fast!
TL;DR at bottom: Mardi Gras 2026: Jan 6–Feb 17 (~6 weeks total), peaks last 12 days.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.