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when did lent start 2026

Lent in 2026 started on Wednesday, 18 February 2026 (Ash Wednesday).

When Did Lent Start 2026?

Lent 2026 began on Ash Wednesday, 18 February 2026 , which is the traditional starting point of Lent in Western Christian churches (Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and many others).

This date marks the start of roughly six weeks of prayer, fasting, and reflection leading up to Easter Sunday on 5 April 2026.

Key Facts at a Glance

  • Lent 2026 start date: Wednesday, 18 February 2026 (Ash Wednesday).
  • Typical Western Christian practice:
    • Starts on Ash Wednesday.
* Lasts about 40 days of fasting (not counting Sundays).
  • End of Lent (Western observance): Commonly counted as ending on Maundy Thursday evening (2 April 2026) or continuing in practice through Holy Saturday (4 April 2026) , depending on denomination.
  • Easter Sunday 2026: 5 April 2026.

A Bit of Seasonal Context

Lent moves each year because it is tied to Easter , which is a “moveable feast” based on the lunar calendar. In 2026, Easter falls on 5 April , so Ash Wednesday (and thus the start of Lent) lands on 18 February , placing Lent fairly early in the calendar year while much of the Northern Hemisphere is still in winter.

Many Western churches describe Lent as a time to reflect, fast, and give penance in preparation for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus at Easter. The “40 days” symbolize the period Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness.

Western vs Orthodox Lent (Quick Note)

If you are looking at Orthodox (Eastern) Christian dates, “Great Lent” in 2026 does not start on the same day: it begins on Monday, 23 February 2026 , known as Clean Monday in the Orthodox tradition.

So, depending on which church tradition you follow:

  • Western Lent 2026 start: Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
  • Orthodox Great Lent 2026 start: Monday, 23 February 2026.

Mini Takeaway (TL;DR)

For the question “when did Lent start 2026” , the standard answer in Western Christianity is:

Lent 2026 started on Ash Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.