When is Pancake Day 2027?
131
days until Pancake Day, Tuesday 9 February 2027
That's 18 weeks and 5 days. Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, is the next day.
It's Pancake Day
Pancake Day is the popular name for Shrove Tuesday, the last day before Lent. In 2027 it is Tuesday 9 February, eight days earlier in the year than in 2026. It is not a bank holiday, so schools and workplaces are open as normal.
Pancake Day dates for 2026–2031
| Year | Shrove Tuesday | Ash Wednesday | Easter Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday 17 February | 18 February | 5 April |
| 2027 | Tuesday 9 February | 10 February | 28 March |
| 2028 | Tuesday 29 February | 1 March | 16 April |
| 2029 | Tuesday 13 February | 14 February | 1 April |
| 2030 | Tuesday 5 March | 6 March | 21 April |
| 2031 | Tuesday 25 February | 26 February | 13 April |
In 2028 Pancake Day falls on 29 February, the leap day.
How the date is set
Shrove Tuesday is always 47 days before Easter Sunday. Lent runs for 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, not counting Sundays, and Shrove Tuesday is the day before it starts. Because Easter moves between 22 March and 25 April, Pancake Day can fall on any date from 3 February to 9 March.
"Shrove" comes from "shrive", meaning to hear confession and give absolution, which Christians traditionally did before Lent. Lent was a time of fasting, so households used up eggs, milk, butter and fat the day before, and pancakes were the obvious way to do it. Elsewhere the same day is known as Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday".
The Olney pancake race
The best-known pancake race is in Olney, Buckinghamshire, organised by the parish church of St Peter and St Paul. Tradition dates it to 1445. Women who have lived or worked in Olney for at least three months run a 415-yard course carrying a frying pan with a pancake in it. Since 1950 Olney has raced against Liberal, Kansas, comparing times. The next race is on Tuesday 9 February 2027; details are on the Olney Pancake Race website.
Lent in 2027
Lent 2027 starts on Ash Wednesday, 10 February, and ends on Holy Saturday, 27 March. Many people give something up for the 40 days, such as chocolate, alcohol or social media; others take something on, such as volunteering. Sundays are not counted in the 40 days, which is why Lent lasts 46 days in total. Palm Sunday is 21 March and Good Friday 26 March.
What comes next
After Pancake Day, Lent runs up to Easter, with Mother's Day on the fourth Sunday of Lent (7 March 2027). For every key date of the year in one list, see important dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pancake Day a bank holiday?
No. Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) is not a bank holiday anywhere in the UK.
Why is it called Shrove Tuesday?
From "shrive", meaning to hear confession and give absolution. Christians traditionally went to confession on the day before Lent began.
When is Ash Wednesday 2027?
Ash Wednesday 2027 is 10 February, the day after Pancake Day. It is the first day of Lent.
Is Pancake Day the same as Mardi Gras?
Yes, it is the same day. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", the name used in France, New Orleans and elsewhere.
When was Pancake Day 2026?
Pancake Day 2026 was Tuesday 17 February.