What date marks the first day of Mardi Gras?

The first day of Mardi Gras is marked by January 6, which is known as Twelfth Night or the Feast of the Epiphany in the Christian calendar. This date signifies the end of the Christmas season and begins the countdown to Lent, making it a time of celebration leading up to Ash Wednesday. The tradition of Mardi Gras, particularly in cultures influenced by French Catholicism, starts with Twelfth Night and carries through the entire Carnival season until the day before Ash Wednesday.

This makes January 6 significant as it signals the start of festivities that include parades, parties, and other events that characterize Mardi Gras celebrations, culminating in a final day of revelry in the days leading up to Lent. Other dates mentioned do not hold the same importance in this context, as they either occur after the Mardi Gras season has begun or do not relate to the onset of the celebration.