Fat Tuesday and Lunar New Year fall on the same date this year. The last time the two holidays shared the same date was in 2022.

A diverse array of cultural and religious holidays this week, including Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, and the start of Ramadan.

It marks the final day of celebration and indulgence before the Christian season of Lent begins — a 40-day period of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter. Known as “Fat Tuesday,” the name reflects the tradition of enjoying rich, hearty foods like meat, eggs, and sweets one last time before the Lenten dietary restrictions take effect.

For the first time, an Asian cultural themed float will roll in Mardi Gras as part of the Argus parade on Mardi Gras Day. The float is themed after the Year of the Horse in Chinese Zodiac but is meant to represent all the Asian cultures represented in New Orleans.