Is Mardi Gras early this year?

New Orleans' most important question.

Every January, New Orleanians proclaim Mardi Gras "early" or "late." But who decides? And why only two options? Here's how this year lands depending on how you want to split the dates.

Feb 17
Tuesday, Feb 17
Feb 3 Mar 9
Early E
Late L
Early E
Kinda in the Middle M
Late L
Early E
Kinda Early KE
Kinda Late KL
Late L
Feb 17
Two Buckets

Early

Three Buckets

Kinda in the Middle

Four Buckets

Early

See all 36 possible dates →

There are 36 possible dates, from Feb 3 to Mar 9. Your selected year is highlighted.

Date Two Buckets Three Buckets Four Buckets

FAQ

Why does Mardi Gras move around?

Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter. Easter follows the lunar calendar, so it shifts each year, and Mardi Gras shifts with it.

What's the earliest and latest possible date?

Earliest is February 3. Latest is March 9. That's a 35-day window (36 if you count February 29 in leap years).

Why does the timing matter?

Two reasons. First, king cake season length — Carnival starts January 6, so an early Mardi Gras means fewer weeks of king cake. Second, weather — early February often needs a coat on the parade route, while early March is sunburn territory.