What is Lent?

Lent is the period of six weeks (40 days not including Sundays) leading up to Easter, the most important festival in the Christian calendar. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week. Watch a video about Lent.

Ash Wednesday 

On Ash Wednesday many Christian churches hold services during which Christians are marked on the forehead with a cross of ashes. This is a sign of saying sorry to God for any wrong-doing. 

When is Lent?

In 2025 Lent begins on Wednesday 5 March and ends on Thursday 17 April.

Lent is an old English word meaning 'lengthen'. Lent is observed in spring, when the days begin to get longer.

Take the Lent Quiz

How is Lent celebrated?

Shrove Tuesday 

In western Christian churches, the day before Lent starts is Shrove Tuesday. This is also known as Pancake Day. This day was traditionally the last chance to use up the foods Christians would not be eating during Lent.

The Olney Pancake Race

Each year women from the town of Olney in Buckinghamshire race through the streets, tossing pancakes in a frying pan. Children from local schools take part in their own races.

Pancakes 

Pancakes became associated with Shrove Tuesday as they were a simple meal that could use up all the eggs, fats and milk in the house with just the addition of flour. Shrove comes from the verb 'to shrive' which means to confess sins. Make your own pancakes recipe.