Lent 2026 starts tomorrow. For Western Christians (Catholic, Protestant), it begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026 , and typically ends on Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026 (evening), just before Good Friday, leading into Easter Sunday on April 5, 2026.

Why Dates Vary

Lent lasts about 40 days, mirroring Jesus' fasting in the desert, but excludes Sundays from the count—making the full period 46 calendar days.

Easter's "moveable feast" status (tied to the first full moon after the spring equinox) shifts Lent annually; 2026's early timing aligns with winter's tail end.

Orthodox Christians start later (Feb 23, 2026), using the Julian calendar.

Key Dates at a Glance

Event| Date in 2026| Notes 135
---|---|---
Ash Wednesday| February 18 (Wed)| Start; ashes, fasting begin
Holy Thursday| April 2 (Thu)| Often Lent's fasting end
Good Friday| April 3 (Fri)| Crucifixion remembrance
Easter Sunday| April 5 (Sun)| Lent practices fully end

Traditions and Tips

Christians use Lent for penance: fasting (e.g., no meat Fridays), prayer, almsgiving.

Popular practices include giving up sweets or social media; some add positive habits like daily reflection.

With 1 day left (today's Feb 17), plan your commitments—many forums buzz with "What are you giving up?" debates.

"Lent is a time to reflect, fast, and give penance in preparation for Easter."

TL;DR : Starts Feb 18, ends ~April 2; 40 fasting days to Easter.

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