Lent in 2026 starts on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, which is Ash Wednesday.

Here’s a quick scoop in the style you asked for:

What day does Lent start in 2026?

Lent in 2026 begins on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 , with Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian tradition.

Key facts at a glance

  • First day of Lent (Ash Wednesday): February 18, 2026.
  • Day of the week: Wednesday.
  • Lent runs from Ash Wednesday up to Holy Thursday evening or Holy Saturday, depending on tradition.

Why this date?

Lent always begins on Ash Wednesday, which is calculated backward from the date of Easter.

In 2026, Easter Sunday falls on April 5, 2026 , so counting back places Ash Wednesday on February 18, 2026.

A tiny bit of context

Many Christians use Lent as a season of reflection, fasting, and prayer in preparation for Easter.

Traditionally, it’s spoken of as “40 days” of Lent, symbolizing Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness, though the exact calendar count is 46 days including Sundays.

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