Carnival Season typically starts after Epiphany on Jan. 6 and culminates on Ash Wednesday, which falls on March 5 this year.

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a day of indulgence that marks the end of Carnival. It's immediately followed by Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is a 40-day season of fasting, excluding Sundays, that is observed by Christians, and leads up to Easter Sunday.

Previewing 30 New Orleans and Jefferson Parish parades with themes, royalty, special guests, throws, maps and more.

Learn about Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, its origins, and how it's celebrated worldwide before the Lenten season begins.

Fat Tuesday, the day before the start of Lent, is celebrated as Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Carnival in Brazil, but you don’t need to travel to get a taste of the fun.

Here is a schedule of parades in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, and corresponding parade route maps are below. UPDATE: rescheduled from Sunday, Feb. 23 Femme Fatale 5:30 p.m. Uptown 1 Carrollton 6:15 p.m. Uptown 2 King Arthur 6:30 p.m. Uptown 2 Druids 6:15 p.m. Uptown 1 Babylon 5:30 p.m. Uptown 2

Carnival Season typically starts after Epiphany on Jan. 6 and culminates on Ash Wednesday, which falls on March 5 this year.