The Carnival season, or Mardi Gras season, officially begins on Epiphany, Jan. 6, and lasts through Fat Tuesday.

This year, March 4 is Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, the last day of the Carnival season. It's celebrated in New Orleans and around the United States and the world with parades, balls and parties.

Mardi Gras comes to a close on Tuesday night, and soon, those who celebrate will exclaim “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” or “Let the good times roll” for the last time this Carnival season.

Fat Tuesday is the culmination of the Carnival season and the day before the start of Lent. It’s marked with parades, balls and celebrations. Fat Tuesday is the English translation of Mardi Gras.

Fat Tuesday is the English translation of Mardi Gras. While Mardi Gras is often used, inaccurately, to refer to the entirety of the Carnival season, it’s actually meant to refer just to Fat ...