Shrove Tuesday 2026: Fat Tuesday parades, pancakes and the close of Carnival on Feb. 17 (ET)
Shrove Tuesday 2026 falls on Feb. 17 (ET) and brings the twin rhythms of ritual and revelry. In New Orleans, the final day of Carnival — commonly called Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras — will feature a packed schedule of parades, throws and pageantry. At the same time, Christians mark the day with traditional Shrove Tuesday customs, including pancakes, as communities prepare for the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday.
Parade schedule and highlights
Fat Tuesday in the metropolitan area will run a full parade slate across the afternoon and evening. The day begins uptown with the Krewe of Okeanos rolling at 12: 00 p. m. ET, setting the tone for an afternoon of throws, marching bands and elaborate floats. Expect the Krewes of Thoth and Mid-City to follow in close succession; Thoth is scheduled to begin at 1: 00 p. m. ET while Mid-City will proceed along the traditional route as crowds build.
The evening culminates with one of the season’s marquee spectacles: the Krewe of Bacchus, slated to roll at 6: 15 p. m. ET. Bacchus LVI features actor Patrick Warburton serving as monarch and includes a special appearance by former Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who will ride in a custom float created to mark his recent Hall of Fame induction. In nearby Metairie, the Krewe of Athena will stage its parade later in the evening, with a 7: 00 p. m. ET start time.
Alongside these large krewes, iconic neighborhood and historically significant parades will also be part of the day’s program. Look for hand-decorated coconut throws, prized by many revelers, and the classic mix of trinkets, doubloons, stuffed animals and cups that define Carnival throws. Masked groups and intricately beaded costumes — including Black masking Indian traditions — add a pageant of color and craft to the streets.
Traditions, meaning and regional celebrations
Shrove Tuesday is the last day for indulgence before the 40 days of Lent begin. The term "shrove" derives from the old practice of being shriven — confessing and receiving absolution — and the day evolved in many places into a culinary moment: households would use up eggs, milk and fats by making pancakes ahead of the fasting season. This year, Easter falls on April 5, which places Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday on the familiar pre-Lenten calendar.
Beyond New Orleans’ riverfront theatrics, Carnival customs stretch across the region. Rural Central Louisiana holds the Cajun French Courir de Mardi Gras, where costumed riders perform, collect ingredients by song and sometimes pursue live chickens as part of a communal gumbo tradition. Gulf Coast cities stage their own parades with local flavors, and Carnival-style celebrations are likewise observed in places around the world, each adapting the moment to local culture and faith.
What to know before you go
Fat Tuesday brings heavy pedestrian activity and widespread road closures. Parade routes through uptown and central corridors will be busiest from midafternoon into the evening, so plan for extra travel time or use public transit where available. Families should bring water, layered clothing for shifting temperatures, and containers to collect throws. Parade etiquette remains important: stay behind designated barricades, keep sidewalks and fire lanes clear, and follow instructions from parade marshals and public safety officials to ensure everyone’s safety.
For many, Shrove Tuesday 2026 will be both a last day of feasting and a moment of communal tradition — whether that means chasing prized throws down a boulevard, sharing pancakes at a church hall, or joining neighbors in rural courtyard rituals. Whatever the plan, the day closes out Carnival season and ushers communities into the reflective weeks of Lent.
