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Video: Mardi Gras 2020, 2021, 2022 In France - Dates And Festivities
2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 21:10
Every year, it's the same story: after choosing a decor and a good Christmas and New Year menu, we quickly find ourselves taken aback by the approach of Mardi Gras 2020. Liked by young and old, Mardi Gras is the perfect opportunity to dress up, throw confetti and feast with a good plate filled with gourmet pancakes! Considered a mobile celebration, Mardi Gras has no fixed date. In other words, it changes according to that of Easter. This is why the editorial staff will take stock of the date set for this year and for the years to follow.
Mardi Gras 2020, 2021, 2022 … in France and not only
As you are probably aware, this is a festival of pagan origin originating in Roman times, the date of which varies each year. And although it no longer takes the form that people knew before, it is important to mention a few little words about the customs associated with this holiday: traditional afternoon tea, carnival costumes, festivities in other countries and several ideas for activities.. But just before getting started, let's be clear on one point!
Accidentally associated for centuries, Candlemas and Mardi Gras have nothing to do with each other. Going back in time, we quickly understand that the two celebrations do not have the same origins. And while Mardi Gras falls among the movable holidays and normally takes place 47 days before Easter, Candlemas is celebrated 40 days after Christmas and has a fixed date (February 2).
How to calculate the date of Mardi Gras 2020?
Since the date of Mardi Gras is fixed according to the date of Easter, always falling on the first Sunday after the full moon following spring (March 21), Mardi Gras takes place 47 days before Easter. We therefore take into account the period of Lent, representing 40 days of food deprivation without meat, butter and sugar, as well as 6 Sundays. A mobile date and a little complex to anticipate, which leads us to mark the pagan holiday between March 22 and April 25 each year.
The next Mardi Gras dates
Below, you discover the date of Mardi Gras 2020 and the following years.
| The date | Public holiday |
|---|---|
| February 25, 2020 | Mardi Gras 2020 |
| February 16, 2021 | Mardi Gras 2021 |
| March 1, 2022 | Mardi Gras 2022 |
| February 21, 2023 | Mardi Gras 2023 |
| February 13, 2024 | Mardi Gras 2024 |
| March 4, 2025 | Mardi Gras 2025 |
| February 17, 2026 | Mardi Gras 2026 |
History, traditions and festivities
Typically, Mardi Gras includes the Carnival period, when celebrations and festivities are in full swing, and precedes what is known as Lent, representing 40 days of food deprivation without meat, butter and milk. And in that vein, do you know where the word “carnival” comes from? Coming from the Italian term "Carne Levare", meaning "to remove the meat", this word refers to Lent. Because, as already mentioned, the pagan festival precedes the “Wednesdays of the ashes” and then marks the beginning of the lean period. This year, Mardi Gras will take place on February 20, 2020!
Mardi Gras is, above all, known for its traditional delicacies and festive activities. To mark the beginning of the lean period, we traditionally eat pancakes and donuts. At the time, children and girls rang the bell at the neighbors to collect eggs, sugar and flour in order to exchange the ingredients necessary for the preparation of the pancakes. This tradition allowed people to get rid of fatty products that they could no longer consume during Lent. This is why, apart from pancakes, we make all kinds of other gourmet dishes, such as donuts and waffles.
In addition to pancakes and donuts, this party also surprises with colorful costumes and masks. Appearing in the 13th century, these allowed people to make excesses and mockery of those ruling the country. Over the years, the masks have become whole costumes, the most popular coming from Italian inspirations, such as Arlequin, Polichinelle, Bouffon.
Activity side: Mardi Gras is certainly one of the first holidays that children celebrate at the nursery. There are therefore a lot of ideas for activities to offer to the little ones and sometimes to the adults: make carnival makeup or original costumes, learn songs, make Easter coloring, prepare pancakes, play puppets, etc.
The date of Mardi Gras 2020 in the world
Outside France, Mardi Gras is celebrated in a very large part of the world and alongside the moving date, traditions also vary. In Estonia, for example, partying includes interesting activities to do with family or friends, such as sledding. In Russia, it is called "Maslenitsa" or "Pancake Week". Children in Switzerland, meanwhile, take on different roles (leader, drummer, soldier, etc.) and go from door to door to collect coins. In Cyprus, Africa and Australia, Mardi Gras becomes “Pancake Tuesday” and celebrates generosity.
Mardi Gras Dictions
Linked to the end of winter or, conversely, a sunny Lent, the dictions existing around the date of Mardi Gras are many. Here are some of the most popular to know:
- Rainy Mardi Gras, the oily cellar.
- At Mardi Gras, winter goes away.
- Mardi Gras, good weather, good hay.
- Mardi Gras in the rain, winter flees.