Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, marking the culmination of the Carnival season which began on January 6. This Christian holiday, with roots in ancient pagan rites and medieval Europe, involves vibrant parades, music, and the tradition of King Cakes, where the finder of a hidden baby or bean hosts the next celebration. The tradition arrived in North America with French colonists, leading to significant celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, the only U.S. state where Mardi Gras is a legal holiday, and Mobile, Alabama, often credited with initiating U.S. celebrations. Mardi Gras is observed globally in countries with large Catholic populations, with notable festivities in Brazil and Venice, Italy, and unique traditions in places like Germany and Denmark.