Pancakes
United Kingdom and Ireland
Thin pancakes are the Shrove Tuesday meal across Britain and Ireland, a way to use up eggs, milk and sugar before Lent.
Source: Shrove Tuesday.
Carnival and Mardi Gras is Tuesday 9 February 2027. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the last day of Carnival and falls the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. It is marked by eating up the rich foods that Lent calls for giving up, so the day belongs to pancakes, filled buns and fried dough.
Source: Mardi Gras.
Also known as Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day, Carnival, Fasching, Fastnacht, Carnaval, Carnevale, Fettisdagen, Martedi Grasso.
What people eat for Carnival and Mardi Gras
King cake
New Orleans and the US Gulf Coast
A round braided brioche decorated with gold, purple and green sprinkles, with a small figure hidden inside; whoever finds it in their slice wins a prize. It is the cake of the New Orleans Mardi Gras season, and bakeries compete with fillings.
Source: King cake.
Malasadas
Madeira and the Azores, Portugal
Fried, yeasted dough coated with sugar and cinnamon, made for Fat Tuesday to use up the lard and sugar in the house before Ash Wednesday.
Source: Malassada.
Fasnachtskuechle
Germany
Baked or fried pastries similar to doughnuts, the traditional treat of the German Fasching season.
Source: Carnival.
Tortilla (omelette day)
Spain
In Spain the Carnival Tuesday is called the day of the omelette, and the omelette is made with sausage or pork fat.
Source: Shrove Tuesday.
Vastlakukkel
Estonia
An Estonian sweet bun filled with whipped cream or with jam and whipped cream, similar to the semla. Pea soup is the savoury part of the day's meal.
Source: Shrove Tuesday.
Carnival and Mardi Gras food experiences to book
Where to celebrate it 12
3-14 Feb 2027
Carnaval da Madeira
Funchal, Portugal
Carnival Market on Avenida Arriaga: sugarcane honey, Madeira wine, regional produce, traditional Carnival delicacies
4-9 Feb 2027
Carnaval de Cancún
Cancún, Mexico
Food and craft stands at the Parque de las Palapas verbena, plus a 75-exhibitor Pabellón Gastronómico at Malecón Tajamar
16-18 Apr 2027Expected
Helsinki Coffee Festival and Chocolate Carnival
Helsinki, Finland
Specialty coffee, ice cream and chocolate
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Our city guides where it is celebrated
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Carnival and Mardi Gras dates
| Year | When |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Tuesday 9 February 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday 29 February 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday 13 February 2029 |
| 2030 | Tuesday 5 March 2030 |
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