Racers dressed as a skyscraper, beekeeper and a chest of drawers were among dozens of runners zipping around a central London square with a frying pan in hand to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, or “Pancake Day.

Londoners will be able to party the New Orleans way as they celebrate Mardi Gras in the city this weekend.Mardi Gras celebrations are set to take over London this weekend as Covent Garden’s The Yard hosts live music and festivities.

Racers dressed as a skyscraper, beekeeper and a chest of drawers were among dozens of runners zipping around a central London square with a frying pan in hand to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, or “Pancake Day.

It may not have the French architectural charm of Nola, but Lake Charles’s vibrant celebrations have a certain je ne sais quoi, finds Rashmi Narayan

The ring-shaped, sugar-topped cake is a Mardi Gras staple. Typically decorated with icing and sugar or sprinkles in the traditional yellow, green, and purple colors of Mardi Gras, king cake is so called to represent Three Kings Day. A plastic baby is also traditionally hidden inside the cake for someone to find.

The Carnival season will end on Mardi Gras, which is now one week away! From parades to colorful beads and masks, there are dozens of traditions involved in Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday.