San Francisco Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is the final day of the Carnival season. It falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent—a 40-day period of fasting leading up to Easter. The name “Fat Tuesday” refers to the custom of indulging in rich, fatty foods one last time before the Lenten restrictions begin.

The holiday has ancient roots in pagan festivals celebrating spring & fertility, including Roman events like Saturnalia and Lupercalia. Over time, it evolved in medieval Europe as a Christian observance, blending feasting and and big parties with preparation for penance. In France, it became associated with elaborate balls & masquerades and French colonists brought the tradition to the Americas. It gained its most well known form in New Orleans, where it has been celebrated since the early 18th century. The first documented parade in 1837. Mardi Gras is known for parades featuring elaborate floats, marching bands, bead-throwing, king cakes and street parties. Traditional colors are purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). A beloved custom is the king cake, which is a sweet, braided pastry often filled with cinnamon or cream cheese. It is decorated in Mardi Gras colors and there is usually a small plastic baby in the cake for one lucky eater to find.

While Mardi Gras is a huge event in places like New Orleans, San Francisco doesn’t have the same big citywide celebration. The city lacks the deep historical ties and dedicated infrastructure for huge parades like those on Bourbon Street. Instead, Mardi Gras here tends to be more low-key.

Although it doesn’t match the craziness of New Orleans, there’s still plenty of fun to be had if you’re looking to celebrate! Many bars and restaurants host Fat Tuesday parties, second-line-style marches, live music and themed events. For example, neighborhoods like the Bayview, Fillmore, Mission District, and North Beach often feature block parties, brass band processions or crawls with beads, cocktails & dancing.

To get that authentic taste of the holiday, head to New Orleans-style or Cajun/Creole restaurants around the city. There are some great places that serve gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, beignets, and more. Bakeries and spots like Noe Valley Bakery, Arizmendi or others offer king cakes, but make sure to order early as they tend to sell out.

If you’re in the city around February 17, check the CrawlSF Calendar for some great options.