For many Christians, important religious holidays are right around the corner.
Lent will soon start with Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day period in which Christians worldwide observe a period of reflection, prayer and penance. Lent ends with Holy Week and Easter Sunday, an important day in the Christian calendar that honors the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion on the cross, per BBC.
Unlike other Christian holidays celebrated on the same date every year – such as Christmas – Easter and the entire Lenten season are based on the lunar cycles of the Hebrew calendar. So the dates vary from year to year.
Here’s a list of dates for Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter.
When is Ash Wednesday this year?
Ash Wednesday will occur on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
When does Lent begin?
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which falls on Feb. 18 this year.
When is Easter Sunday this year?
Easter Sunday will be observed on Sunday, April 5.
The date is different every year and falls on the first Sunday of the first full moon after the vernal equinox, also called the Paschal Full Moon.
The Eastern Orthodox Church will celebrate Easter on the following Sunday, April 12. The Eastern Orthodox Church follows a Julian calendar instead of the typical Gregorian, resulting in a different Easter date.
When is Good Friday?
Good Friday is on Friday, April 5, this year. The day, which honors the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, falls on the Friday before Easter each year. Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians, who may reflect, fast and attend special church services.
When is Fat Tuesday 2026?
Fat Tuesday falls on Tuesday, Feb. 17 this year. The holiday occurs the day before Ash Wednesday each year and is a day of celebration and feasting before the 40 days of the Lenten season.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When is Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter Sunday in 2026? Dates to know
Reporting by Bebe Hodges and Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
