Each year, many people of Christian faith embark on a 40-day ritual of penance and renewal known as Lent. The annual observation is traditionally recognized from Ash Wednesday through Holy Thursday, two important dates on the Christian calendar.

　　Those who choose to observe Lent, typically abide by three tenants, including prayer, fasting and almsgiving, which is the practice of giving food or money to those in need.

　　Lent is also a time when many people abstain from eating meat on Fridays, as well as give up a vice or other indulgence for 40 days as an act of self-discipline.

　　The day before Lent begins is typically known as “Fat Tuesday,” or “Shrove Tuesday,” and is observed as a last hurrah before the six weeks of sacrifice begins. It's no coincidence that Fat Tuesday also happens to coincide with Mardi Gras, a day dedicated to partying and general merriment ahead of the prolonged period of deprivation.

　　When is Fat Tuesday in 2025? Here's what to know about when this annual day of reveling falls this year, as well as everything else to know about the season, including Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter.

　　When is Fat Tuesday 2025?

　　The date of Fat Tuesday changes from year to year depending on when Easter Sunday occurs, which also fluctuates annually.

　　In 2025, Easter is on Sunday, April 20, thus making the date of Fat Tuesday, March 4.

　　The date of Easter is determined by when the first full moon after the spring equinox occurs, which is typically on or near March 21. Easter is then observed on the Sunday after the Paschal full moon.

　　In other countries, Fat Tuesday is also known as “Pancake Tuesday” due to the centuries-old tradition of using up “luxury” foods not needed during Lent fasting, including sugar, milk and eggs. Those unnecessary items were often used to make pancakes, which is how the day got its name. The tradition of making pancakes the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday continues around the world, as well as in the U.S.

　　When is Mardi Gras 2025?

　　Mardi Gras celebrations can last for weeks prior to Fat Tuesday, which is when New Orleans hosts its famous Mardi Gras parade while other locations around the world party for the last time before Lent officially gets underway.

　　In fact, the season begins on what’s known as “Twelfth Night” or “Epiphany,” a Christian observation in January that marks the end of the 12 Days of Christmas along with honoring the Magi, better known as the three kings that visited baby Jesus.

　　The tradition of serving King cake during Mardi Gras is rooted in Twelfth Night, when back in the Middle Ages, the holiday was commemorated by eating cake. Today, most King cakes are decorated in the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold and contain a plastic figurine of baby Jesus inside as a nod to the Magi.

　　When is Lent in 2025?

　　If Fat Tuesday is on Tuesday, March 4, that means Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent falls on Wednesday, March 5. The 40-day observance ends on Thursday, April 17.

　　When is Easter in 2025?

　　In 2024, Easter arrived relatively early and was marked on Sunday, March 31. This year, Easter will be observed nearly a month later on Sunday, April 20. And in 2026, Easter Sunday will be on Sunday, April 5.