Quick answer: is it pancake day today — Shrove Tuesday explained
Short answer: no. Pancake Day, more formally known as Shrove Tuesday, fell on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (ET). Today is Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (ET), the first day of Lent — Ash Wednesday — so the pancake feasting concluded yesterday for 2026.
What is Shrove Tuesday and why pancakes?
Shrove Tuesday is the traditional feast day that precedes the start of Lent. Historically, households used up rich ingredients that would be avoided during the Lenten fast — eggs, butter and fat — and the quickest way to do that was to make pancakes or fritters. The name comes from the old practice of being 'shriven' — confessing sins and receiving absolution — before the Lenten period of penance and fasting began.
The date moves each year because it is tied to the Easter calendar. Shrove Tuesday always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, which is 46 days before Easter Sunday. In 2026, Easter falls on Sunday, April 5, which put Shrove Tuesday on Tuesday, February 17 (ET).
What people call it and how it’s observed
Many people call the day 'Pancake Day' or 'Pancake Tuesday'; in some regions — notably in and around Liverpool — 'Pancake Tuesday' is a common local name. Families and communities mark the day with stacks of pancakes and favourite toppings, from the classic lemon-and-sugar to syrups, fruits and savoury fillings.
Beyond the culinary side, Shrove Tuesday is observed by a wide range of Christian traditions, including Anglicans, Methodists, Lutherans, Western-rite Orthodox and Roman Catholics. Historically, people would visit church to confess and be absolved before Lent. Many modern observances combine religious services with festive community events and pancake races or fundraisers.
How to tell whether it’s Pancake Day in any year
To check whether a given date is Pancake Day, remember it is the day before Ash Wednesday. Because Ash Wednesday is calculated from the date of Easter, Shrove Tuesday shifts each year. If you want to know for a future year, work back 46 days from Easter Sunday; if that date matches today, then it is Pancake Day.
For anyone wanting to celebrate outside the calendar rules: you don’t need a special day to make pancakes. The historic reason for the treat was practical — using up ingredients before fasting — and today many households simply enjoy pancakes whenever they please.
If you missed Pancake Day this year, you can still try classic recipes, host a pancake-themed breakfast or join a local event. And next year, check the calendar early if you want to plan a community race or a themed menu in advance.
