Mardi Gras is a carnival that takes place across the world commencing on or after Epiphany and ending just before Ash Wednesday. The name comes from the French word translated "Fat Tuesday", which references Shrove Tuesday, the day you eat rich, fatty foods before fasting until Ash Wednesday.

The festival season varies from city to city, as some traditions consider Mardi Gras the entire period between Epiphany or Twelfth Night and Ash Wednesday.[7] Others treat the final three-day period before Ash Wednesday as the Mardi Gras.

the festival is a great time to get dressed up in a colourful fancy dress costume. The colourful parades and costumes really makes the celebrations, putting everyone in a good mood to celebrate the end of their fast and/or lent.