Shrove Tuesday 2026: Mardi Gras and pancakes mark the final day before Lent
Shrove Tuesday 2026, falling on Feb. 17 (ET), brought the Carnival season to a raucous close and offered last calls for indulgence before the onset of Lent. In New Orleans, a full slate of parades, coveted throws and theatrical floats drew crowds across the city, while communities elsewhere observed time-honored traditions — from pancake breakfasts to rural runs — that signal the start of a 40-day Lenten observance.
Mardi Gras schedule and signature sights (Eastern Time)
Fat Tuesday in New Orleans followed a tightly packed parade schedule that moved through the afternoon and into the evening. The Krewe of Okeanos set the tone with an uptown rollout at 12: 00 p. m. ET, followed by Mid-City and Thoth in the early afternoon, with Thoth slated for a 1: 00 p. m. ET start. The day’s crescendo was the storied Krewe of Bacchus, which rolled at 6: 15 p. m. ET, typically drawing the largest evening crowds as illuminated floats and costumed riders performed against the dusk.
Nearby suburbs also staged evening festivities, with prominent krewes running later in the night. Parade routes through uptown corridors and central boulevards were crowded; organizers advised attendees to arrive early, plan for road closures and expect heavy pedestrian activity along the lines of march.
Beyond the main superkrewe spectacles, traditional processions added local color. The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club offered its trademark blend of pageantry and community energy, with marchers in African-inspired dress tossing the krewe’s famous hand-decorated coconuts — among the most coveted throws of the day. Other historic institutions continued to showcase elaborate masking traditions and beaded regalia that have long defined the city’s Carnival identity.
Shrove Tuesday traditions: pancakes, Courir de Mardi Gras and community rituals
Across many countries the day is also known as Pancake Tuesday, a practical custom that dates back centuries: households used up perishable ingredients such as eggs, milk and fats before the austerity of Lent. Pancakes provided a simple, satisfying way to consume those items, and the practice has been woven into liturgical calendars and community events ever since. Rituals like pancake tossing — referenced in early modern sources — persist as playful complements to communal meals and church gatherings.
In rural parts of Louisiana, the Carnival season closes with the Cajun tradition of the Courir de Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday Run. Costumed participants travel house to house begging for ingredients, performing antics and sometimes chasing live chickens that later find their way into communal gumbo pots. These runs emphasize the participatory, community-based spirit of Carnival that contrasts with the large-scale spectacle in urban centers.
Practical notes for attendees
Those planning to join Shrove Tuesday festivities should be prepared for crowds, temperature shifts and logistical challenges. Bring water, layered clothing and containers for captures of throws. Parade etiquette remains important: stay behind barricades, keep sidewalks clear for emergency access, and follow guidance from parade marshals and safety personnel. With heavy foot traffic expected after evening parades, allow extra time for travel and consider public transit or shuttle services where available.
While Shrove Tuesday serves as a final day of indulgence, it also frames a transition — from feasting and revelry to the season of reflection and restraint that begins with Ash Wednesday. For many communities, the day blends solemn preparation with spirited tradition, ensuring that each Shrove Tuesday remains both a cultural spectacle and a personal moment of readiness for the Lenten journey ahead.
