Fat Tuesday is the last day of partying before Lent begins. Lent is a period of six weeks when people fast and pray, starting the day after Fat Tuesday, known as Ash Wednesday.
Thousands of people will gather in downtown Galveston on Tuesday night for the grand finale of Mardi Gras celebrations and Fat Tuesday.
Many Mardi Gras enthusiasts have already visited the tourist island over the past two weekends to join in one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States.
Mardi Gras festivities often take place throughout February, but the holiday specifically refers to Fat Tuesday - the last day of celebrations and the final opportunity to enjoy before the start of Lent. Lent is a period of fasting and prayer lasting six weeks, beginning on Ash Wednesday.
The Rustic is hosting a Mardi Craw Party from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. They'll be celebrating Fat Tuesday with a day-long crawfish boil and special Mardi Gras drinks. Enjoy live music by Javi Jay and The Bourbon Street Experience. Plus, there will be face painting, photo opportunities, beads, and more. Admission is free.
The Woodlands Children’s Museum is having a Mardi Gras celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They'll have Mardi Gras parades at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., along with a fun boogie bash starting at 11 a.m. Plus, you can enjoy festive king cakes from Montgomery Bakehouse. Admission costs $9 for adults and children aged 1 and older, according to the museum, and it includes access to the event.
Celebrate Fat Tuesday at Galveston Arts Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The center will have a special celebration on The Strand, a great spot to watch the Mardi Gras parade later in the evening. Enjoy free snacks, drinks, and a perfect view of the parade. Admission is free for members, starting at $55 per person.
The final celebration of Mardi Gras! Galveston will wrap up with the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade at 6:30 p.m. This parade, featuring all Krewe members, will start at 28th and Market Streets and end at 25th Street.
Mardi Gras, which means Fat Tuesday in French, originally started as a religious holiday before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, a time of fasting and prayer in Christianity. However, over time, the celebrations have grown to last for weeks or even months in many places worldwide, including France, Brazil, and other countries.