Celebrate Mardi Gras in D.C., Md. and Va.

Anna-Lysa Gayle, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – If you can’t make it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year, there’s no reason why you can’t celebrate the big day at any number of events in the D.C. area.

The annual festivity, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a legal holiday in New Orleans. The French word Mardi Gras translates to Fat Tuesday in English, and is sometimes called Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day.

Mardi Gras varies in meaning for different of people. For many Catholics, when the clock strikes twelve, the start of Lent begins. For others, Mardi Gras is an opportunity to win as many beads as possible, eat plenty of Cajun and Creole, play games and party.

Each year Mardi Gras falls the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. See the list below to find out more about Mardi Gras activities in the District, Maryland and Virginia.

Happening on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21:

  • Washington National Cathedral: On Shrove Tuesday, celebrate Fat Tuesday with a day of pancake races, a gargoyle gallop and the Satterlee for a chance to win a special grand prize. The event begins at 12:15 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the cathedral on Wisconsin Avenue.
  • Annual Bourbon Street Bash: Sponsored by Lindy Promotions, Coors Light and Bacardi, the bash at Rumors on M Street will feature games, music, drinks at happy hour prices and beads. Doors open at 4 p.m. on Feb. 21.
  • Mardi Gras at Grillfish: The restaurant on New Hampshire Avenue will distribute free beads, masquerade masks, offer prizes, play New Orleans inspired music and serve seafood dishes all day on Feb. 21.
  • Club Liv: The club on 11th Street will host a special parade and costume contest in honor of Mardi Gras. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 21.
  • Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern: The 15th annual Mardi Gras celebration at the restaurant on Spring Street in Herndon will feature Cajun delights and gambling — blackjack, poker and craps — to raise money for charity. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 21.
  • Clarendon – Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade: The Batala Washington drummers will kick off the special Mardi Gras parade at 8 p.m. on Feb. 21. Don’t forget to wear your most festive Mardi Gras costume. The parade will run down stretches of Wilson Boulevard from North Veitch Street to North Irving Street, and typically ends at a local bar.
  • Mardi Gras Party at Central Michel Richard: The party will feature live music from the New Orleans Jazz quartet Laissez Foure, food, cocktails and Mardi Gras beads. The event runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Feb. 21, at 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C.

Other Mardi Gras events happening this weekend:

  • Junkyard Saints Mardi Gras Party: On Friday, Feb. 24, party with a Zydeco band with a full horn section in true Mardi Gras style at the Mansion at Strathmore on Rockville Pike in North Bethesda. Doors open at 8 p.m.
  • Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum: Enjoy arts and crafts, workshops, zydeco music, storytelling and more on Saturday, Feb. 25. Attendees who wear the best costume will be awarded a special prize. This will be a family friendly event. Doors open at 7 p.m. at the museum on Fort Place in southeast D.C.

Follow WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up