When is Pancake Day 2026? Here's why we celebrate Shrove Tuesday and how you can make perfect pancakes at home

Also known as Shrove Tuesday, it is a traditionally Catholic holiday which marks the final day before Lent. While it originated as a holy day, over the years it has become widely celebrated in many cultures around the world.

There are also other variations from countries such as Poland, which celebrates Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday) the week before Pancake Day.

Whether you have plans to pick up some ready made treats from the shops or you have all the ingredients you need on hand at home, here is everything you need to know about Pancake Day 2026.

When is Pancake Day 2026?

Pancake Day is on Tuesday, February 17 2026.

READ MORE: Here are several pancake recipes to try for Pancake Day 2026 - including how to make Edinburgh bakery Twelve Triangles’ puffy pancakes at home

Does Pancake Day change every year?

Yes, the date on which Pancake Day falls changes each year.

As the holiday has its roots in Christian Easter traditions, Shrove Tuesday will always take place 47 days before Easter Sunday.

This is why the date of Pancake Day changes each year, as the date of Easter Sunday comes down to when the first full moon following the Spring equinox is.

Why do we celebrate Pancake Day?

Pancake Day is also known as Shrove Tuesday, which has its roots in Christian traditions.

The holiday takes place the day before Ash Wednesday; the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting which sees Christians honour the sacrifice of Jesus by abstaining from eating certain foods such as meat, eggs, animal produce, or sweets.

Pancakes are among the foods that people would make in order to use up rich ingredients such as eggs and sugar, before beginning their fast - which is where the name comes from.

Pancake Day is celebrated around the UK, now largely as a secular holiday, with other countries around the world also marking the day in various ways. For example, in France and the United States Mardi Gras - also known as “Fat Tuesday” - is celebrated which is the end of a six-week carnival season.

READ MORE: Would you try this IRN-BRU pancake recipe?

Why is it called Shrove Tuesday?

The reason why Shrove Tuesday has its name is because traditionally Anglo-Saxon Christians would attend confession to be absolved of their sins or, in other words, they were “shriven”.

So the name Shrove Tuesday comes from the practice of people being forgiven of their sins.

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The perfect pancake recipe for Pancake Day 2026

If you’re planning on making your own pancakes for Pancake Day 2026, having a good recipe is essential.

But if you’re looking for a good recipe which is suitable for humans, here’s one from Scottish cookbook author and baker Flora Shedden. While some may recognise her as a Great British Bake Off finalist, Shedden is now the owner of ARAN Bakery and LÒN the Store in Dunkeld.

Flora Shedden's perfect pancakes

Ingredients

• 225g self-raising flour
• 40g caster sugar
• 1 tbsp golden syrup
• 250ml milk
• 1 large egg
• Salted butter for cooking

Method

1. With this pancake recipe, you should look to make the batter a few hours ahead of cooking to allow time for it to set in your fridge while covered.
2. Whisk the ingredients in a bowl, until the batter becomes smooth.
3. Heat a frying pan at medium heat and add a small chunk of butter, letting it coat the pan with a thin layer of grease.
4. Ladle a dollop of batter onto the pan. When bubbles begin to form on the surface you should flip it!
5. Cook until the pancake’s underside turns golden brown.
6. Then finish by including any toppings of your choice like cream, berries, Nutella, syrup or honey.

If these aren’t quite what you’re after we can still help. If you’d prefer to make thin crepe-style pancakes, traditional hearth cakes or even gluten-free pancakes, you can find more recipes over on The Scotsman’s Food and Drink. There are instructions to help you make dog-friendly pancakes.