When is Mardi Gras: the date and tips for dressing up

The shopping team 5:03 p.m., February 17, 2023

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The editorial staff of Europe 1 did not participate in the production of this article.

Mardi Gras 2023 is set for Tuesday February 21: like every year, it ends the Carnival period in style, to the delight of young and old alike.

This is an opportunity to cook traditional carnival pastries, such as pancakes, but also and above all, to dress up and put on makeup.

We often associate this celebration with children, but in fact, adults also find their account: Mardi Gras is a regressive day, where everything seems allowed, including donning a disguise and transforming into someone else on parade time.

If you don't know what costume to wear or give your child, here are some ideas that may tempt you.

5 costumes to celebrate Mardi Gras

Harry Potter costume, a magical costume 

This costume for children allows you to dress up as Harry Potter for boys, and as Hermione Granger for girls: the two versions have points in common, but also some differences.

It is available in three sizes, from 5 to 11 years old, to adapt as best as possible to the age of your child.

The colors of the Gryffindor house are perfectly represented, and everything you need is there to transform into a little wizard for the carnival.

It is an official licensed product, which is an additional guarantee of quality.

Click here to learn more and check the price on Amazon 

Wonder Woman costume, for super heroines 

With this official Wonder Woman costume, your child can transform into a DC Comics superhero very easily, and move comfortably all day long.

It is available in several sizes, and is therefore suitable for children from 7 to 10 years old, up to 140 cm.

The dress is made of one piece, but it comes with two sleeves, a belt and a tiara.

Everything is made of 100% polyester fabric.

All that remains is to add the shoes to the costume, and you're done.

This is a really successful costume, in addition to being resistant.

Click here to learn more and check the price on Amazon

Spider-Man disguise, to weave his web 

If your child has always dreamed of turning into a Spider-Man, then that dream can come true with this Spider-Man costume.

This is a model from the Rubie's brand, which holds the official Marvel license: you therefore benefit from a high quality disguise, as precise as in the films, but suitable for young children.

Three sizes are available, which makes it possible to acquire this costume for a child aged 3 to 10 years.

It is made up of a single piece: the suit incorporates the mask which is to be put on like a hood.

Click here to learn more and check the price on Amazon

Cinderella costume, for big princesses 

This Princess Cinderella costume is for adult women: it is available in three sizes, from S to L, i.e. from 36 to 46. This dress comes with a headband and a necklace, which allows you to transform into a princess in a few moments.

This costume is put on from the bottom, then it closes with a zipper at the back.

The fabric is of good quality and it is possible to wear this costume several times without any problem.

A perfect choice for going to the Mardi Gras ball!

Click here to learn more and check the price on Amazon

Darth Vader costume, our favorite 

Perfect for joining the Dark Side, this official Star Wars costume from Rubie's lets you step into the shoes of the dark Darth Vader.

This is a one-size-fits-all model, which is intended for adults.

It consists of a jumpsuit with molded breastplate and leggings, a cape, a belt and a mask.

Remember to buy an extra red lightsaber to complete this very convincing disguise, with which you should be a hit with young and old during carnival and Mardi Gras.

Click here to learn more and check the price on Amazon

All about the origin of Mardi Gras 

Mardi Gras is originally a Roman pagan festival: it is intended to celebrate the end of winter, the Calends of March.

On this occasion, it is possible to transgress prohibitions, and among them, the wearing of a disguise.

This is why Mardi Gras is always associated with Carnival, a word of Italian origin which means "to remove the flesh".

In addition, Mardi Gras also refers to the last "fat" meals that are eaten before Lent, which is a period of fasting in the Catholic religion: we then speak of "lean days", in total opposition to the fact of eating a lot. during Shrove Tuesday.

While Lent is still practiced today by a large number of people, Mardi Gras is not really celebrated in a context of religious belief these days.

It's a festive moment when the pastries,

sweets and costumes are allowed, with a little spirit of transgression inherited from the Roman origins of the party.

Something to please young and old alike!

What is the difference between Candlemas and Mardi Gras? 

Clearly differentiating between Candlemas and Mardi Gras is not really easy at first glance, since pancakes are present on both occasions!

The first difference is the date of the two events: Candlemas is held every year on February 2, whatever happens, since this corresponds to 40 days after Christmas.

The date of Mardi Gras depends on that of Easter, which changes every year since this festival always takes place on a Monday.

Mardi Gras takes place 47 days before Easter.

Generally, the date falls on the end of February or the beginning of March. 

Then, Candlemas is presented as a celebration of the end of winter, with the sun coming back: the pancake symbolizes the sun by its shape and color.

So that's why we eat pancakes that day.

Mardi Gras, for its part, corresponds to the last fatty meals before the start of Lent: we eat pancakes there, but also donuts and other pastries.

The two festivals are therefore very different, and it is strongly recommended that food lovers celebrate both! 

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