Mardi Gras Day is the last day of which period?

Mardi Gras Day, also known as Fat Tuesday, is the final day of the Carnival season, which culminates before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. The term "Carnaval" refers to this festive season that is celebrated in many cultures, particularly those with Christian traditions. It is characterized by celebrations of feasting and revelry as it precedes the fasting period of Lent.

Mardi Gras marks the last chance for people to indulge in rich foods and festivities before the solemnity of Lent begins, during which many choose to give up certain luxuries. This intense celebratory period includes parades, parties, and various forms of entertainment, reflecting a cultural heritage that emphasizes joy and community.

While Advent, Lent, and Epiphany are all important liturgical seasons in the Christian calendar, they do not specifically encompass Mardi Gras. Advent is a period of preparation for Christmas, Lent is the forty-day period leading up to Easter that focuses on penance and fasting, and Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles. Thus, Mardi Gras serves as a distinct celebration that specifically concludes the Carnival season, making it an integral part of the festivities leading to Lent.