Church Year
What Is Lent?
Forty days before Easter. Ash Wednesday, what people give up, and how to find a service near you.
Quick answer
Church Near Me explains Lent — forty days of fasting, prayer and giving from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Lent 2027 begins on Wednesday 10 February. Ash Wednesday services are public; you may receive the ash cross or simply sit. Confirm times with the parish.
Church Near Me editorial · Published 29 May 2026 · Updated 13 August 2026 Desk-researched from parish, diocesan and denominational publications. Where a time or fee is stated, the source and check date are named. Confirm with the parish before travelling.
Should you keep Lent if you are not a regular churchgoer?
You can attend Ash Wednesday and any Sunday in Lent without joining. Giving something up is optional — it is a personal discipline, not a ticket. Skip this page if you need Holy Week times only: use Easter church services. Skip it if you need a funeral, wedding or baptism — those need a conversation with the parish.
When does Lent start?
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter Sunday (40 days not counting Sundays). In 2027 Ash Wednesday is Wednesday 10 February. The day before is Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day). Lent ends on Holy Saturday; Easter Sunday is the feast, not a Lenten day.
| Year | Ash Wednesday | Good Friday | Easter Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 10 February | 26 March | 28 March |
| 2028 | 1 March | 14 April | 16 April |
| 2029 | 14 February | 30 March | 1 April |
Easter is a moveable feast. These dates come from the church calendar. Confirm service times with the parish before travelling.
What happens on Ash Wednesday?
Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and some other churches hold a service at which the minister marks a cross of ash on the forehead, with the words “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” You may receive the ash or remain seated. There is no booking for an ordinary parish service. The liturgical colour is purple.
What do people do in Lent?
| Practice | What it usually means in the UK |
|---|---|
| Fasting | Giving up a food, drink or habit; Catholics often abstain from meat on Fridays in Lent |
| Prayer | A daily reading, a Lent course, or extra weekday worship |
| Giving | A donation or volunteering — historically almsgiving alongside the fast |
There is no official list of what you must give up. Many people take something on instead of giving something up. Churches do not police this.
How do I find a Lent or Easter service near me?
Search churches near me by postcode. Holy Week and Easter Day are on the Easter services page. Ash Wednesday and Sunday times appear on a profile only where Church Near Me has verified them.
Common questions
When does Lent start in 2027?
Lent 2027 begins on Ash Wednesday, 10 February 2027. Lent always begins 46 days before Easter Sunday.
How long does Lent last?
Lent lasts 40 days, not counting Sundays. Including Sundays, the season runs for 46 days — from Ash Wednesday through to Holy Saturday.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, observed in Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and many other churches. The minister makes the sign of the cross on the foreheads of worshippers using ash, saying 'Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.'
What should I give up for Lent?
Traditionally, Christians give up something they enjoy — food, social media, alcohol — as a form of fasting that focuses the mind on prayer and reflection. Many Christians also take something on for Lent: a daily reading or charitable practice.
What is Shrove Tuesday?
Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) is the day before Ash Wednesday. Historically, Christians used up rich foods before the Lenten fast. The word 'shrove' comes from 'shrive,' meaning to confess sins.
Can I attend Ash Wednesday if I am not a churchgoer?
Yes. Ash Wednesday services are public. You may receive the ash cross on your forehead, or sit and watch. Nobody will ask you to join. Skip it if you need a funeral, wedding or baptism — those need a conversation with the parish, not a seasonal service.
How do I find a Lent or Easter service near me?
Use Churches Near Me with a postcode, then open the Easter services page for Holy Week dates. Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Day times appear on a church profile only where verified. Confirm with the parish before travelling.