holidays

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and falls 46 days before Easter. It is a day of repentance and spiritual preparation for Easter in the Christian tradition.

About the Holiday

Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of applying ashes to the forehead in the sign of the cross. The ashes, traditionally made from palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday, symbolize mortality and the need for repentance. The date moves each year since it is calculated based on Easter.

Ways to Celebrate

Dates for 2027-2032

Year Date
2027 February 17
2028 February 9
2029 February 28
2030 February 20
2031 February 11
2032 March 3