Ash Wednesday 2026
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About Ash Wednesday 2026
Ash Wednesday 2026 falls on Wednesday, February 18. It is an observance rather than a public holiday, so businesses, schools and government offices keep regular hours.
Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter, opens the Christian season of Lent. Worshippers receive a cross of ashes on the forehead and many fast or give up meat. It is a religious observance, not a public holiday, so businesses and offices stay open.
History, state-by-state rules and dates →
What's closed: U.S. Post Office (USPS) — open; Banks — open; Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) — open; Federal offices — open; State and local government — open. Full what's-open guide →
Ash Wednesday in other years
| Year | Date | Day | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | February 18, 2026 | Wednesday | — |
| 2027 | February 10, 2027 | Wednesday | — |
Holidays after Ash Wednesday 2026
- May 25, 2026 Memorial Day 2026 (Monday)
- Jun 19, 2026 Juneteenth National Independence Day 2026 (Friday)
- Jul 4, 2026 Independence Day 2026 (Saturday)
- Sep 7, 2026 Labor Day 2026 (Monday)
- Oct 12, 2026 Columbus Day 2026 (Monday)
Other holidays in February 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2 | Mon | Groundhog Day | Observance |
| Feb 8 | Sun | Super Bowl Sunday | Observance |
| Feb 12 | Thu | Lincoln's Birthday | State holiday |
| Feb 14 | Sat | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| Feb 15 | Sun | Susan B. Anthony Day | State holiday |
| Feb 16 | Mon | Presidents' Day | Federal holiday |
| Feb 17 | Tue | Mardi Gras | State holiday |
Quick facts
- Date in 2026
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026
- Date rule
- 46 days before Easter Sunday; always a Wednesday in February or early March
- Legal status
- Religious observance; not a federal or state holiday
- Marks
- The first day of Lent, the season of penance before Easter
- Signature ritual
- A cross of ashes on the forehead, made from burned Palm Sunday palms
- Fasting rule
- Catholics 18–59 fast; those 14 and older abstain from meat
Frequently asked questions
What day is Ash Wednesday in 2026?
Ash Wednesday 2026 is on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Is Ash Wednesday a day off in 2026?
Ash Wednesday is an observance, not a public holiday, so offices, schools and businesses keep normal hours unless they choose otherwise.
How many days until Ash Wednesday 2026?
Ash Wednesday 2026 was 256 days ago, on February 18, 2026.