Mardi Gras Feb. 13, 2024

Mardi Gras

Get ready to revel, because Mardi Gras is here! Also called Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, the holiday was originally celebrated to live life to the fullest before fasting and giving up other indulgences for Lent—though many modern celebrators are just happy to use the occasion as an excuse to party. Fat Tuesday celebrations take place in cities and countries around the world, particularly those with French influence, due to the settlers that brought the custom. Out of these places, New Orleans has become intrinsically linked with the festival thanks to its massive four-to-eight-week-long celebration.

© Erik Pronske Photography/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Fly me to the moon
Feb. 13, 2025Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun. 29, 2024Tour de France 2024
Mar. 1, 2024Wheaton River, Yukon
Sep. 8, 2025International Literacy Day
The top of Tennessee
Remembering D-Day
Oct. 24, 2023Füzér Castle in the Zemplén Mountains, Hungary
Jun. 4, 2024Chestnut-headed bee-eater, Bardia National Park, Nepal
Aug. 26, 2025Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy
Launching hopes and prayers
Jan. 26, 2024Northern hawk-owl
Chasing summer in the art world
Where did you drop the fish, son?
Dec. 29, 2023Oud-West neighbourhood, Amsterdam, Netherlands
A very public display of affection
Frosty Finland
Sway with the Amazonian canopy
Apr. 21, 2025International Dark Sky Week
Feb. 13, 2024Mardi Gras
Nov. 27, 2024Tombeau du Géant in Bouillon, Belgium
Nov. 9, 2025Carl Sagan Day
Aug. 29, 2025Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain
Jul. 2, 2025Spine-cheeked anemonefish
Dec. 2, 2024Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska, United States
Aug. 8, 2025The Three Musketeers Falls at Iguazú Falls, Argentina
Blue hues and ceramic scenes of Porto
The lungs of Earth
An island crossroad of culture
Jan. 3, 2024J.R.R. Tolkien Day
Mar. 7, 2024Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
Feb. 26, 2025Castle Stalker, Argyll, Scotland