Lent 2026: Start and end date, why we mark Lent, what is Ash Wednesday, and why do people give things up?
What are you giving up?
Lent is an important period in the Christian calendar in the build up to Easter Sunday.
It's observed by individuals from various churches and sects of Christianity, including the Anglicans, Methodists, Reformed and Roman Catholics.
The festival is part of the church's liturgical year which includes advent in December and other major Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter.
But what is its origins, when does it fall in 2026, how long for and how is it observed?
What is Lent?
Lent derives from an old English word 'lencten', meaning spring season, when the religious festival is observed each year.
It takes many forms but is generally a period of reflection and preparation.
Traditionally this was done through prayer, penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, alms giving and self-denial.
Few still fast for the duration of Lent, which marks the sacrifices of Jesus Christ in the days leading to his crucifixion, but it is still observed.
According to the Bible, Jesus went into the desert for 40 days and 40 nights to fast in preparation for his ministry during which time he endured temptation by Satan.
Why do people give up things for Lent?
Lent, for many, is a time for giving up certain luxuries, such as chocolate, alcohol or smoking.
This is to demonstrate their own sacrifice and to reflect those made by Jesus.
Christians are "encouraged to find [their] own method of confronting [their] sinfulness, remembering [their] mortality, and giving thanks for the gift of salvation [they] receive through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ," according to the United Methodist Church.
These days people are also likely to give up social media, binge watching television or online shopping.
When is Lent 2026?
In 2026, Lent begins on Wednesday, February 18, and ends on Saturday April 4.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and follows Shrove Tuesday - a day of feasting (particularly on pancakes - hence Pancake Day) to prepare for the fasting to come.
Ash Wednesday sees priests gather ashes from previous Palm Sundays and rub them on the heads of their congregation.
The ashes are given as a sign of repentance and purification, representing how the human body turns to dust after death.
How long is Lent?
Lent is 40 days long to reflect the 40 days Jesus Christ spent in the desert leading up to his crucifixion, which this period includes.
It is a six-week festival, not including Sundays, in the build up to Easter when Jesus rose from the dead three days after he was executed.
The period of 40 days has significance in Jewish-Christian scripture.
The flood which destroyed the Earth was brought about by 40 days and nights of rain, in Genesis. The Hebrews spent 40 days in the wilderness before reaching the land promised to them by God. Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the 10 commandments.
What is Holy Week?
Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday and not only symbolises the end of Lent but it also marks the lead up to the celebrations of Easter.
It includes Maundy Thursday (the day of the Last Supper) and ends on Holy Saturday and is described as "the most solemn week of the Christian year".
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