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.

In 2024, Ash Wednesday arrived early in the season, falling on Feb. 14, which is also Valentine's Day. This year, in 2025, Ash Wednesday is recognized nearly a month later on Wednesday, March 5. The day also marks the beginning of Lent, which lasts 40 days, and ends on another Christian observance, Holy Thursday.

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