Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent that leads up to Good Friday and Easter. What to know about the day.

Canon Claire Renshaw makes an ash cross on the forehead of the Very Reverend John Dobson, during the imposition of the ashes during the Ash Wednesday Eucharist at Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire. Picture date: Wednesday February 14,

Whether you’re a devout observer, a curious onlooker, or someone who just loves learning about traditions, this day is packed with history, symbolism, and powerful lessons about renewal and sacrifice.

In the Gregorian calendar, this means that Easter is always celebrated on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Next year, the date will fall on April 5, 2026. When is Ash Wedne