when does mardi gras start

February 23, 2026

Mardi Gras itself is a single day, and it always falls on a Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The broader Mardi Gras “season” (Carnival) generally starts on January 6 (Twelfth Night) and runs through that Tuesday.

If you’re asking about this season:

In New Orleans and many U.S. celebrations, Mardi Gras season starts on January 6 each year.

Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) in 2026 falls on February 17.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.