AUSTIN (KXAN) — Mardi Gras is just around the corner, and Austinites have plenty of ways to show up and show out ahead of the annual pre-Lenten tradition. Mardi Gras is the French translation ...

"Laissez les bons temps rouler!" Mardi Gras is here, and while Austin makes the celebration its own, one NOLA tradition remains strong: king cake. This festive, colorful treat hides a tiny surprise.

The Carnival season, or Mardi Gras season, officially begins on Epiphany, Jan. 6, and lasts through Fat Tuesday.

Watch as Mardi Gras celebrations take place throughout New Orleans on Tuesday, March 4, otherwise known as Fat Tuesday.

Why isn't Mardi Gras on the same day? Mardi Gras falls on a different date each year because it is based on a system that revolves around Easter, which also doesn't occur on the same day every year.