Collection: Mardi Gras Collection

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a lively and festive celebration that takes place annually before the Christian season of Lent. The event is particularly famous in locations such as New Orleans, Louisiana, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mardi Gras is characterized by colorful parades, elaborate costumes, music, dancing, and a general atmosphere of revelry.

The term "Mardi Gras" is French for "Fat Tuesday," referring to the practice of indulging in rich, fatty foods on the day before the fasting period of Lent begins. The date of Mardi Gras varies each year but typically falls in February or March, precisely 47 days before Easter Sunday.

During Mardi Gras, cities and communities organize vibrant parades featuring decorated floats, marching bands, and costumed participants tossing throws, such as beads, coins, and trinkets, to the spectators. Festive masks and costumes, often in vibrant colors and intricate designs, are a hallmark of the celebration.

In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is especially famous for its unique traditions, including the selection of a king and queen for each parade, and the lively street celebrations in the French Quarter. The celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is known for its massive samba parades and elaborate costumes worn by the samba school members.

Overall, Mardi Gras is a cultural and religious celebration that brings communities together in a spirit of joy and merriment, marking the last day of feasting before the solemn period of Lent begins.