When Does Lent End – 2026 Calendar and Dates by Denomination

For Christians observing Lent in 2026, the answer to when the season ends depends heavily on denomination and liturgical tradition. While the start date is widely agreed upon for Western churches, the endpoint varies between Holy Thursday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday itself. Understanding these differences requires a closer look at how different traditions count the 40 days and how they relate to Holy Week.

When Does Lent End for Catholics?

For Roman Catholics, Lent 2026 ends on Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026. The liturgical moment of conclusion is just before the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which begins the Sacred Triduum—the three-day period leading to Easter. According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB – Lent), the Lenten fast extends through Holy Thursday, after which the focus shifts to the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Christ.

Here is a quick overview of Lent 2026 by major denomination:

Key Insights About Lent’s End

• Lent always lasts 40 days not including Sundays, regardless of how the end date is calculated.
• For Catholics, Lent ends just before the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.
• For Orthodox Christians, the 40 days end on the Friday before Palm Sunday (Lazarus Saturday).
• The date of Lent depends on the date of Easter, which follows the lunar calendar.
• For Catholics, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb 18, 2026).
• The last day of Lent is often confused with the last day of fasting; they are not always the same.
• Sundays are not counted as part of the 40-day fast because they are considered “mini Easters.”

Snapshot Facts: Lent 2026

When Does Lent End in 2026? (For Catholics and Protestants)

In 2026, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, for all Western churches. Easter Sunday falls on April 5, 2026, for Western Christians. This places the end of Lent on either Holy Thursday (April 2) for Catholics or Easter Sunday (April 5) for many Protestants. The 40-day period is counted by excluding the six Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter, which are considered feast days rather than fast days.

What About the Church of England?

The Church of England follows the same Western calendar. Lent 2026 begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, and ends on Holy Thursday, April 2, according to Compassion UK. The Church of England provides resources for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter that align with Catholic dates, though some Anglican parishes may treat Easter Sunday as the conclusion of the Lenten season.

When Does Lent End for Orthodox Christians?

Eastern Orthodox Christians observe Great Lent on a different calendar. In 2026, Clean Monday—the start of Great Lent—falls on February 23. Lent for the Orthodox tradition ends on Lazarus Saturday, April 11, 2026, the day before Palm Sunday. This means the 40-day fasting period concludes before Holy Week, which for Orthodox Christians is a separate period of intensified fasting leading to Pascha (Easter) on April 12, 2026.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America confirms that Great Lent begins on Clean Monday and includes stricter fasting rules—no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, or oil on most days—for the entire 40-day period, including Sundays.

When Does Lent End in the UK (Church of England)?

In the United Kingdom, Lent for the Church of England begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, and ends on Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026. This aligns with the Catholic calendar. However, many Anglicans consider the Lenten season to last through Holy Saturday (April 4) or Easter Sunday (April 5). There is no single authoritative rule for all Protestant denominations, so local parish practice may vary.

How Many Days Does Lent Last?

Lent lasts 40 days, but the counting method matters. Western traditions count only the days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, excluding Sundays. This results in 40 actual fasting days over a 46-day calendar period. For Catholics in 2026, the 40 days run from February 18 to April 2, skipping the six Sundays in between. For Orthodox Christians, the 40 days include Sundays, so the period from Clean Monday (Feb 23) to Lazarus Saturday (April 11) amounts to about 48 calendar days.

Timeline of Lent 2026

1. Feb 18, 2026 – Ash Wednesday: Lent begins for Western Christians (Catholic, Protestant, Church of England).
2. Feb 23, 2026 – Clean Monday: Lent begins for Orthodox Christians.
3. April 2, 2026 – Holy Thursday: Lent ends for Catholics (at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper).
4. April 5, 2026 – Easter Sunday: Lent ends for most Protestant denominations.

Certainty and Uncertainty Around Lent’s End Date

Why Does Lent End on Different Dates?

Lent dates are calculated from Easter, which is a moveable feast tied to the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. In 2026, the Western ecclesiastical full moon falls on March 25, placing Easter on April 5. The Orthodox Church uses a different calculation based on the Julian calendar, resulting in a later Easter (April 12). The 40 days of Lent represent Jesus’ time in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11). Sundays are not counted in Western traditions because they are considered “mini Easters”—days of celebration rather than fasting.

Sources and Authoritative Guidance

The Catholic Lent end date on Holy Thursday is confirmed by Hallow and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Church of England provides official guidance through its website. The Orthodox calendar is maintained by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. For a comprehensive historical overview, Wikipedia’s entry on Lent covers both Western and Eastern traditions.

What’s the Best Way to Confirm Lent’s End?

The most direct way to know when Lent ends for your practice is to check with your local parish or church authority. For Catholics, the liturgical rule is clear: Lent ends on Holy Thursday. For Orthodox Christians, it is Lazarus Saturday. For Protestants, the date may vary by congregation, but Easter Sunday remains the most common conclusion. Understanding these differences helps avoid confusion when planning for Holy Week and Easter celebrations.

Frequently Asked Questions