✝️ Ash Wednesday Countdown
When is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday always falls 46 days before Easter Sunday, so its date moves with Easter each year, which is calculated from the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.
The history of Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and reflection (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter, observed by many Christian denominations. Its name comes from the tradition of marking worshippers' foreheads with ash, symbolizing mortality and repentance.
It is not a bank holiday in the UK, but many churches hold special services, and it's widely observed the day after Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day).
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Frequently asked questions
Ash Wednesday always falls 46 days before Easter Sunday, so the date changes every year.
No — it's a widely observed occasion but not an official UK bank holiday, so banks, schools and businesses generally stay open.
The start of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and reflection before Easter.
Ashes are placed on the forehead as a symbol of mortality and repentance, traditionally made from the previous year's Palm Sunday branches.