Mardi Gras moves on the calendar every year, so planning a throw order starts with knowing the dates. This guide lays out the key 2027 Carnival dates, explains how the season builds toward Fat Tuesday, and shows how far ahead to order custom beads so your throws arrive in time.
When Is Mardi Gras 2027
Mardi Gras, also called Fat Tuesday, falls on February 9, 2027. It is always the day before Ash Wednesday, which begins Lent, and its date shifts each year with the calendar. In 2027, Ash Wednesday is February 10. Because the date lands in early February, the biggest parade weekends arrive fast after the new year, which makes early ordering important.
How the Carnival Season Builds
Carnival season opens on January 6, the date of Epiphany, also known as Twelfth Night. From that day, krewes hold balls and early parades, and the pace builds week by week. The final two weekends before Fat Tuesday carry the largest parades and the biggest crowds. For the 2027 season, that means the stretch from late January into the first week of February is the peak.
Key 2027 Dates
- January 6, 2027: Twelfth Night, the start of Carnival season
- Late January into February 2027: the main parade weekends build
- February 9, 2027: Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday
- February 10, 2027: Ash Wednesday, the end of Carnival
Parade Season Across the Country
New Orleans anchors the season, but Mardi Gras parades roll across the Gulf South and beyond. Mobile claims the oldest Carnival in the country, and cities from Baton Rouge to St. Louis hold major celebrations. See city guides on our New Orleans krewe beads and Mobile Mardi Gras beads pages, and find your market on our where we ship page.
How Far Ahead to Order
Work back from your parade date. For a signature throw with a custom mold or a full-color medallion, order two to three months ahead, which for a February 9 Fat Tuesday means starting in November or December of 2026. Most custom orders finish in 14 days or less, but the weeks right before Carnival are the busiest of the year, so early orders beat the rush and lock in your delivery. We ship to all 50 states.
What to Order for the 2027 Season
Plan a throw mix that fits your parade. Full-color medallion beads carry your krewe crest, custom shape beads match the parade theme, and LED light-up beads shine for night parades. Add custom doubloons and lanyards for riders and staff. Browse everything in the custom bead shop.
Get Ready for Mardi Gras 2027
Do not wait for January. Start your 2027 throw order early so your beads arrive before the first parade rolls. Browse the custom bead shop, call (877) 723-2348, or contact us to plan your season. See parade options on our krewe beads and custom parade beads pages.
Why the Date Moves Each Year
Mardi Gras has no fixed calendar date because it is tied to Easter, which shifts each year with the spring moon cycle used by the church calendar. Fat Tuesday always lands the day before Ash Wednesday, and Ash Wednesday sits a set number of days before Easter. When Easter is early, Carnival is short and the parades arrive fast. When Easter is late, the season stretches longer. That is why 2027, with an early February date, gives less runway than a year when Fat Tuesday falls in March. Plan your order around the date, not a fixed month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What date is Mardi Gras in 2027?
Mardi Gras 2027 falls on Tuesday, February 9, 2027. It is the day before Ash Wednesday, which is February 10, 2027.
When does Carnival season start in 2027?
Carnival season starts on January 6, 2027, the date of Twelfth Night, and builds toward Fat Tuesday on February 9.
When should I order beads for Mardi Gras 2027?
Order two to three months ahead, so November or December of 2026 for custom molds and full-color runs. The weeks before Carnival are the busiest, so early orders avoid the rush.
Do only New Orleans cities celebrate Mardi Gras?
No. Parades roll across the Gulf South and beyond, from Mobile and Baton Rouge to St. Louis. See our where we ship page to find your market.
