Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday celebrations in New Orleans (Picture: Getty)

Next week is going to be an eventful one, with Pancake Day, Valentine’s Day, and the start of Lent all in one.

That’s a whole load of indulgence, followed by a whole load of asceticism for those who keep to Christian traditions.

While Pancake Day – or Shrove Tuesday – is celebrated here mostly in the home and with plenty of lemon and sugar, in other countries a celebration called Fat Tuesday occurs.

Crowds celebrating Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street (Picture: Getty)

It’s also known as Mardi Gras, and is simply a different way to celebrate the Shrovetide.

During Lent, Christians give up certain vices or fast to gain penance from God.

Shrove Tuesday and Fat Tuesday are marked to enjoy rich foods and rejoice before this time of self-discipline.

During Fat Tuesday, in particular, there are Carnival celebrations, whereby people take to the streets and eat delicious foods before the Lenten season.

USA, Louisiana, New Orleans, Royal Street, Mardi Gras celebration (Picture: Getty)

This year, Mardi Gras falls on February 13th.


One of the biggest celebrations will be in New Orleans in Louisiana, and people come from miles away to party on the streets.

There’s a longstanding tradition of wearing brightly coloured clothes and handing out sparkly and shiny strings of beads.

In New Orleans, they actually start the Mardi Grad merrymaking on Twelfth Night which is when Christmas officially ends.

However, even in the UK there will be a Fat Tuesday parade in Hastings with music and dancing.

Mardi Grad/Fat Tuesday are loads of fun.

All there is to worry about is turning up for church on Ash Wednesday with a banging hangover and a sore stomach from too much food.

MORE: Why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?

MORE: When does Lent start 2018 and why do people give something up for it?