lent 2026: Key dates and what to expect

Christians worldwide will enter the Lenten season earlier in 2026 than in recent years, with Ash Wednesday falling in mid-February and Easter arriving in early April. The observance—marked by prayer, fasting and reflection—sets the tone for Holy Week and culminates in Easter Sunday. Below are the essential dates for the season and context on the rituals that bring so many people to church on Ash Wednesday.

When Lent begins and ends

In 2026, Ash Wednesday is on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 (ET), which marks the official start of Lent. The traditional 40-day Lenten period extends from Ash Wednesday through Thursday, April 2, 2026 (ET). Good Friday falls on Friday, April 3, 2026 (ET), and Easter Sunday is on April 5, 2026 (ET). For those following the Eastern calendars, Great Lent begins later in February and runs through mid-April; the Orthodox observance in 2026 falls from Feb. 23 to April 11 (ET).

These shifts happen because the date of Easter is determined by a combination of lunar and solar calculations, which move the whole season’s timeline from year to year. For individuals and congregations, that means planning for different rhythms of worship, charity and personal observance each year.

Why Ash Wednesday draws packed pews

Ash Wednesday consistently ranks among the most attended services of the year, often rivaling Easter and Christmas in sheer numbers. There are practical and symbolic reasons for the turnout: the distribution of ashes is a visible, public ritual that many view as an identity marker, while the liturgy itself offers a concentrated moment for reflection at the start of the season.

The ashes placed on foreheads during services are traditionally produced from the palms blessed on Palm Sunday of the previous year. The practice dates back many centuries and became widespread in the medieval period. The smudge of ash is meant to be both a sign of penance and a reminder of human mortality—summarized in the familiar admonition about being made from dust and returning to dust. For many attendees, that outward sign prompts deeper inward attention to sin, mortality and the need for spiritual renewal.

While the emphasis on ashes is strong, congregational leaders note that receiving ashes is meant to be more than a public gesture. The ritual invites conversion and renewed commitment in the weeks leading to Easter. Many people combine that commitment with other Lenten practices—fasting, abstaining from particular foods or habits, and attending additional services during Holy Week.

What to mark on your calendar

For anyone planning observance, volunteer work or travel, these are the critical dates to note (all times ET):

• Ash Wednesday: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 (ET) — the official start of Lent and the day many receive ashes.
• Lenten period: Feb. 18 through April 2, 2026 (ET) — the traditional 40 days leading up to Holy Week.
• Holy Thursday: Thursday, April 2, 2026 (ET) — the start of the Triduum that commemorates the Last Supper.
• Good Friday: Friday, April 3, 2026 (ET) — the observance of the crucifixion.
• Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 5, 2026 (ET) — the celebration of the resurrection.
• Orthodox Great Lent (observed by many Eastern churches): Feb. 23–April 11, 2026 (ET).

Whether a person marks Lent with daily devotionals, changes to diet and habits, or renewed attention to communal worship, the season offers structured time for reflection and preparation. With Ash Wednesday arriving on Feb. 18 in 2026, congregations and individuals have an earlier window than in recent years to observe the 40 days that lead to Easter.