Flashy, colorful beads. Decorative masks. Parades and music. This is what many of us imagine when we think of Mardi Gras. With the general rowdiness of some of the celebrations, Christians may wonder if this holiday is merely secular in nature. They may be surprised to learn, though, that Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” is a historically Christian celebration that marks the end of Epiphanytide and occurs the day before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent).
Another name for this day, which is perhaps more well-known, is Shrove Tuesday. Whereas Mardi Gras emphasizes participation in feasting, Shrove Tuesday is connected to confession and prayer. However, both serve as names for the same day–– the final day of festivities before the penitential season of Lent.
So, instead of shying away from a holiday that some may associate with negative actions, we can celebrate the goodness found in cultural practices and the historic Christian roots of Mardi Gras. The following five traditions are great starting places for Christ followers to observe the holiday:
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1. Feasting with Gratitude before Lent Begins
Mardi Gras and Carnival emphasize the practice of using up fats and meats before Lent. Hence the name, “Fat Tuesday.” Because of the traditional need to use up these foods, many Christians around the world have the tradition of eating pancakes or other sweet foods.
Pancakes are a popular option in the United Kingdom, often coinciding with pancake runs. Traditionally, individuals would hear the tolling of the church bells to remind them to attend confession (which also reminded them to fry some pancakes!). Many churches in America also follow this tradition by offering a pancake supper for congregations, as a time to enjoy breakfast foods and fellowship.
Other festive options include French toast and the iconic King Cake with its purple, green, and yellow colors representing justice, faith, and power, respectively. Though the cake might be more recognized for its appearance, the practice of making a King Cake connects this day back to Epiphany, when liturgical churches celebrated the visit of the Magi (or three kings) to offer Christ gifts in worship (Matthew 2:11). The symbolism remains today with the inclusion of a small plastic baby toy baked into the cake, which symbolizes Jesus. Whoever finds the baby in their slice receives the title “King” like one of the Magi and must host the next party.
Regardless of the foods we eat today––whether pancakes, omelets, gumbo, or a piece of King Cake––we can allow the feasting and fellowship to remind us of the goodness of the Lord. It is that goodness and love that mark the Lenten season we are about to enter. As Romans 5:8 says,
“God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (NLT)
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2. Celebrating Creativity While Honoring Christ
From Louisiana to Italy to Rio de Janeiro, there are a variety of decorations and symbols for Carnival. In Italy, especially in Venice, the people are known for their crafted masks. Beads are the most recognized emblem of Mardi Gras in America, often found on the streets of New Orleans. And across the world, Carnival celebrations are marked by colorful and extravagant decorations.
Although Christ followers will not agree with the way many celebrate the day, we can still appreciate what is good while setting aside what is bad (e.g., debauchery and excuses to engage in sin). Venetian masks of the present and past are often works of art, and beads can add to an atmosphere of fun. Celebrations can highlight the good in cultures, from Cajun to Brazilian, and believers can affirm goodness and beauty where it is found in our broken world.
Whether with family, allowing kids to hang beads or create their own masks, or meeting with friends to wear beads and listen to music, we can remind ourselves, and those around us, that we are worshiping the Great Giver of Life. He is the God who lavishes us with grace and blessings (2 Corinthians 8:9). May we find joy and a reason to worship as we notice the creativity and beauty in specific cultural practices.
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3. Celebrating the King with Glad Hearts
Parties and parades are common on Mardi Gras. Some individuals partake in a parade with large floats while others attend a masquerade with music, dancing, and food. Depending on our backgrounds, we might turn away from a day that promotes pleasure, thinking that holiness has nothing to do with happiness or enjoying oneself. But such a view does not correlate with Scripture. The Lord instructed specific times for the Israelites to rejoice and be merry. We find multiple biblical examples of happiness as an overflow of worship, such as David dancing before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14-15), or the repeated calls in the Psalms to rejoice in the Lord (Psalm 33:1-3; 92:1-2). And of course, our God is the Creator and Source of all happiness and goodness. We can delight in the good gifts from our Father to worship Him (see James 1:17).
Of course, whether a Christian decides to participate in Mardi Gras activities is a matter of personal conscience. Each of us has the freedom to choose what activities we believe will bring glory to the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:23-31). However, the Christ follower who decides to host a party can do so in good conscience because they are celebrating the Savior, for He is the reason for the merrymaking during Epiphanytide.
We can gather family and friends for a time of fun and feasting. Including traditional elements in our party can add to this sense of joviality, with beads, the iconic colors of Mardi Gras, masks and costumes, and traditional foods. Believers can also weave prayer and giving into their celebration by participating in communal prayer and making plans with others to provide gifts of time or money to charities/ministries.
Our celebration as worshipers of the King can provide a small picture and foretaste of the coming Kingdom.
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4. Marking the Day with Prayer and Thanksgiving
Christians who celebrate the holiday often include prayer in their festivities. Either before the celebrations begin or before a meal at a party, believers will gather to pray to thank the Lord for the good things He has provided while also asking Him to help them prepare for the season of Lent. Prayer is an excellent way to reorient our perspective on the Lord, instead of other aspects of the holiday.
Numerous churches, organizations, and ministries have developed their own Mardi Gras and Shrove Tuesday prayers that families and individuals can print and use. Many of these emphasize the joy of the day as well as the need to look ahead to the coming change on Ash Wednesday. If none of the existing written prayers suit a specific gathering, individuals can craft their own prayer or utilize a Psalm for the gathering.
For example, a person could intermingle the imagery of the future feast in Isaiah 25 with the present celebration in a prayer of praise and thanksgiving:
O Lord,
We thank you for this day that reminds us of Your goodness. To know You is to experience the greatest happiness, and no one is truly happy until they know You. As we feast today, may we think of the future joy in Your Kingdom when You will prepare a great feast for all people with the best of foods, and You will swallow up death forever, wiping away the tears from our faces. All of this is only possible because You sent Your Son to save us, and we look forward to the coming season of reflecting on the importance of His death and resurrection.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
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5. Preparing the Heart Through Confession
Though more closely related to Shrove Tuesday, a common tradition on this holiday is to attend confession. Certain denominations offer the option to talk to a priest about sins, while others may emphasize the need to personally confess wrongdoing to God. Regardless, there is an extensive history in the church of confessing sins on this day before the start of Lent.
Scripture also emphasizes the need for regular confession and repentance to the Lord. We find many examples of followers of God acknowledging their wrongdoing and choosing to turn away from it. David did this after his sin of adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51). The people of Nineveh repented in sackcloth and ashes for their evil ways (Jonah 3:6-10). And Daniel spent time in confession, acknowledging the sin of Israel that had led the people into exile (Daniel 9:1-19).
Although Ash Wednesday is the official start of the period of somber reflection and repentance during Lent, the day known as Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday has historically been used as a starting point for reflection and acknowledging our wrongdoings to God. We can trust that when we confess, the Lord will forgive us (1 John 1:9). May all the rejoicing and feasting remind us of the goodness of our God and our great need of His grace.
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Originally published Tuesday, 03 February 2026.