First Day of Lent 2026
When is the First Day of Lent 2026?
The First Day of Lent 2026 is on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (in 245 days). Calendar for 2026
The First Day of Lent 2025 has already passed: it was on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 (104 days ago). Calendar for 2025
Advertisements
What is the First Day of Lent?

It is preceded by Fat Tuesday (also called Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras), the last day of feasting before the fasting of Lent begins. It occurs just after the excesses of two days of Carnival, which are celebrated in regions of Latin America and the Caribbean as well as Northern Europe. Some observant Christians conduct a full fast (complete fast or bread and water fast) during daytime on the First Day of Lent and only break the fast at sunset. A few continue fasting all through Lent.
It is a national public holiday in some countries (eg. Jamaica, Cayman Islands), a holiday for bank and/or government workers and some businesses in others (eg. Guadeloupe, Panama), and not a public holiday in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and other European countries (though some local observances may be held).
Why does the date of the first day of Lent change every year?
The dates of Lent depend on the date of Easter Sunday. Easter is a 'movable feast', which means that its date is not fixed in the calendar, but is instead calculated according to the lunar calendar, formalised in Ecclesiastical date tables. It is based on the date of the vernal equinox (March equinox). In AD 325 the Council of Nicaea decreed that Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the vernal equinox. The date of Easter Sunday can thus fall between March 22 and April 25, with the first day of Lent occurring 46 days before this date (consisting of 40 days of fasting and six Sundays counted as feast days, for a total of 46 days for Lent).Further reading: Lent on Wikipedia
When is the First Day of Lent 2027?
The First Day of Lent 2027 is on Wednesday, February 10, 2027 (in 602 days). Calendar for 2027
Dates for the First Day of Lent in other years
The next occurrence of the First Day of Lent is marked in red.When is ...? | Date | Day of the week | Days away |
First Day of Lent 2021 | February 17, 2021 | Wednesday | 1581 days ago |
First Day of Lent 2022 | March 2, 2022 | Wednesday | 1203 days ago |
First Day of Lent 2023 | February 22, 2023 | Wednesday | 846 days ago |
First Day of Lent 2024 | February 14, 2024 | Wednesday | 489 days ago |
First Day of Lent 2025 | March 5, 2025 | Wednesday | 104 days ago |
First Day of Lent 2026 | February 18, 2026 | Wednesday | in 245 days |
First Day of Lent 2027 | February 10, 2027 | Wednesday | in 602 days |
First Day of Lent 2028 | March 1, 2028 | Wednesday | in 987 days |
First Day of Lent 2029 | February 14, 2029 | Wednesday | in 1337 days |
First Day of Lent 2030 | March 6, 2030 | Wednesday | in 1722 days |
First Day of Lent 2031 | February 26, 2031 | Wednesday | in 2079 days |
Data provided 'as is' without warranty |
Dates of the First Day of Lent 2026 and surrounding years as downloadable image file
Printable 2026 Calendars for PDF, Excel and Word
Free printable 2026 calendar templates
A selection of downloadable, printable calendar templates for 2026 with US federal holidays, suitable for a variety of applications. Available for PDF, Excel and Word.Excel |
Word |