A multi-day celebration often referred to as "Carnival", leading up to the Catholic Church's Lenten season, ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. The name, "Fat Tuesday" in English, is referring to the feasting on fattening foods before the ritual fasting of Lent.

In many places, particularly those with a strong Catholic influence on their past, it's celebrated with large street parties, the participants often wearing wild, colorful costumes.