Mardi Gras 2024: when is Mardi Gras 2024 and how will we celebrate it

Last updated:January 7, 2024

Can't wait for it to be the season again? It will be soon. When is Lent 2024?

When is Lent 2024? Carnival 2024 it falls on a different date every year, as it is depending on Easter. We can calculate the exact date when Lent is by first checking when Easter will be. Once we have this information, we can calculate when Lent will be. Shrove Tuesday is always 47 days before Easter.

Carnival 2024 will be on Tuesday 13 February 2024, Mardi Gras Saturday 3 days earlier, 10/02/2024 and Mardi Gras Sunday 11/02/2024. Mardi Gras events starts Shrove Saturday and ends with Ash Wednesday. This is followed by a fast that lasts until Easter.

The meaning of Lent

The carnival tradition is considered one of the oldest, as it was already known the ancient Romans. Despite the church's opposition, people were shy about converting to Christianity. After the 10th century, Pust became a holiday that everyone could enjoy without worry. Already at that time, they knew masked dancing and carnival schemes, and slowly the tradition of carnivals and visits from house to house in search of sweets also developed.

Carnival tradition in Slovenia

Piut has its roots in a rich cultural heritage intertwined with local customs and mythology. Carnival is a joyful period before Lent, which brings entertainment, colorful masks, carnival processions and many traditional customs.

They are one of the most important features of the carnival traditional masks. Each region in Slovenia has its own unique masks, among which the Kurenti, Lavfarji and other local masks are the most recognizable. They take place in various places in Slovenia carnival parades, where people participate in their colorful and diverse masks. The processions are full of music, dancing, joy and humor.

In cities like Ptuj, the traditional is held the carnival parade, which is one of the oldest carnival events in Europe. There is a special event called Curing. This is a multi-day festival dedicated to the Kurents, which includes many events.

They are mentioned among the most recognizable traditional masks in Slovenia currents, who live in Ptuj. Currents they are magnificent and scary mascots, dressed in lush clothes and equipped with bells. Their presence symbolizes chasing winter and invokes the awakening of nature and fertility for the coming spring.

Carnival 2024: events across Slovenia

In 2024, the curation in Ptuj will take place from February 3 to 13. It will include various events, such as the Kurent's jump, the opening of the Kurent's house, the city carnival corso, the international carnival parade. It will also be accompanied by concerts where you can listen to local and foreign musicians. You can get tickets here.

It is also a traditional carnival event laufaria – celebration in Cerkno, where the main role is played by the laufari (characters dressed in moss, ivy, straw and animal skins).

The carnival will also take place in Drežnica and in Drežniške rivna, where you will be able to observe traditional carnival masks, called "ta lepi" and "ta grdi".

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We must not forget one of the most famous Slovenian festivals: carnival in Cerknica. There, the city streets will be occupied by Jezerka the Flood Man, the Giant Pike, Uršula the Copernicus, Butalci and other fun carnival characters.

Different regions have their own characteristics and customs, which they preserve through colorful and traditional carnival processions. At these events, we can meet many other masks and characters that reflect local peculiarities and history. Pust is therefore not just a simple celebration, but is deeply rooted in the cultural tradition of Slovenia. Through traditional masks, customs and celebrations preserve the identity of the community. At the same time, this period also represents an opportunity for creativity, relaxation and connection between people.

In some places, the carnival ends with fireworks or bonfires. It is a symbolic act that marks the end of the winter period and the arrival of spring.

Carnival treats

In Slovenia, Lent is a traditional period when people rejoice over the many culinary delicacies that are part of this celebration. Among the carnival delicacies we find a variety of dishes and sweets that are typical for this period.

Doughnuts are probably the most iconic carnival sweets in Slovenia. These are fried yeast donuts that are filled with sweet fillings such as jam, chocolate or vanilla cream. Donuts are an indispensable part of the carnival menu and are prepared both at home and in pastry shops.

Frapetti or flankati are thin dough noodles that are fried and sprinkled with sugar. Frappes are a popular carnival dish that is traditionally prepared in various regions of Slovenia. Mice are small pieces of fried dough that are sprinkled with sugar. They are quickly prepared and a popular carnival dessert. Sharkelj,this is a type of potica that is traditionally baked during Lent. Sarkelj is wrapped in the shape of a loaf and contains various fillings such as walnuts, raisins, honey and cinnamon. Karst carnival rabbit, this dish is typical of the Karst and includes pork that is marinated and smoked. Karst carnival rabbit is a popular meal during the carnival. In some parts of Slovenia, carnival lunch is also possible turnip dish, which includes turnips, potatoes, dried meat and spices.

In addition to these dishes, there are other local variations of carnival delicacies depending on the region in Slovenia.