French natives - can you help with this about La Chandeleur

[Overseasmom100]

Im trying to do some home schooling and explain pancake day.

So UK has Shrove Tuesday on 16 Feb this year

So I know in France they call it Fat Tuesday but is that the same as "La Chandeleur" or is it separate?

I read that La Chandeleur is considered the last cycle of the Christmas celebration so not really anything to do with pancake day???

Chandeleur is 2nd February.

Shrove Tuesday is Mardi Gras, not sure when it is this year.

thanks that's what I mean are they both different?

They are both separate festivals but both celebrated with pancakes. Mardi gras much like our tradition, to use up fats before lent. Candlemas is because round golden pancakes represent the sun.

February 2nd is Candlemas in the Christian Church.
www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/candlemas.shtml
As well as blessing all the candles in church it's stated that Christmas decorations can now be taken down, if left after Twelfth Night.
It's a celebration of the end of Christmas rather than the start of Lent (Shrove Tuesday).
More of a festival in France than UK I think.

Not a French native but lived there for a bit.
Yes they are different. As said above Le Chandeleur is Candlemas and end of Christmas and celebrated by eating loads of pancakes. Shrove Tuesday is Mardi Gras- associated more with eating a big rich feast and partying. Of course people also do eat pancakes but Le Chandeleur would have more association with them.

Yes, la Chandeleur is Candlemas and separate to Mardi Gras. Both will have regional variations - where we lived Mardi Gras was more about Carnaval and beignets than crêpes.

Great thank you - when is Mardi Gras please?

Tues 16 Feb this year.

Yes, 16 Feb. Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday are different versions of the same festival at the beginning of Lent, the day before Ash Wednesday.