When does Lent begin? miercoles de ceniza ushers in the 2026 season
Churches across the country will mark the start of Lent on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (ET), when Ash Wednesday — commonly known in Spanish as miercoles de ceniza — signals the beginning of a season of reflection and preparation leading to Easter. The calendar for this year sets Fat Tuesday on February 17, 2026 (ET), followed by six weeks of observance that culminate in Holy Week.
What the date means and how it is observed
The observance that begins on February 18 is rooted in ancient Christian practice and has developed into a formal season of penance and prayer. The placement of Ash Wednesday is calculated to ensure a forty-day period of fasting and discipline, excluding Sundays, so the season is observed across forty-six calendar days. On Ash Wednesday many congregations hold services throughout the day so working worshippers and families can attend; the central rite is the imposition of ashes in the shape of a cross on the forehead, a tangible reminder of mortality and repentance. The ashes are typically made from the previous year’s palm fronds, blessed and distributed during the liturgy.
For many faithful, Lent is a time to adopt spiritual practices such as fasting, abstaining from meat on Fridays, increased prayer, and acts of charity. Others choose to give up particular foods or habits as a discipline that fosters reflection and self-restraint. The season guides communities toward Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday on March 29, 2026 (ET) and leading into the Triduum — the three most solemn days of the liturgical year — which start with Holy Thursday on April 2, 2026 (ET).
Calendar highlights and cultural traditions
Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (ET), the day before Ash Wednesday. Traditionally a time of feasting and celebration, it serves as a final opportunity for some to gather before the more penitential season begins. In various communities, especially those with strong immigrant and regional customs, the day is observed with events and meals that reflect local heritage.
The season’s timeline is tied to the date of Easter, which shifts each year. Because Ash Wednesday is set 46 days before Easter to allow for 40 days of fasting when Sundays are excluded, the exact calendar placement changes annually. This year’s sequence places Palm Sunday on March 29 and moves the Triduum into early April, with Easter celebrations following the solemn three-day period.
Beyond liturgical rites, Lent shapes parish life and community programming. Many parishes organize educational series, service projects, and fasting initiatives that encourage both individual reflection and collective engagement. The visible markers — ashes on foreheads, Lenten music and readings, and public acts of charity — underscore the season’s blend of personal discipline and communal observance.
Practical notes for observers
Those planning to participate should note that Ash Wednesday services are commonly scheduled at multiple times throughout the day to accommodate varied schedules. Communities often offer midday and evening liturgies, and some locations provide brief services during noon breaks. Observant Christians preparing for Lent may plan sacramental confession, join study groups, or set personal goals for prayer and almsgiving. For others, the period offers a chance to reflect on long-standing traditions and to reconnect with family and local customs tied to the rhythm of the liturgical year.
As the season begins on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (ET), congregations and individuals alike will mark the start of a renewed calendar of devotion, leading through Palm Sunday on March 29 and into the Triduum at the start of April.
