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When Is Pancake Day

Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) falls before Lent. Find when it is this year and the Easter connection.

Next occurrence of Pancake Day

Tuesday, 9 February 2027

It was 31 days ago

Pancake Day in 2026: Tuesday, 17 February 2026

What is Pancake Day?

Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, falls 47 days before Easter and marks the last day before Lent begins. Traditionally, pancakes were eaten on this day to use up ingredients like butter, eggs, and sugar that were forbidden during the Lenten period. In the UK, Pancake Day is a fun celebration where people make and eat pancakes, often competing in pancake races. It is a secular holiday celebrated throughout Britain.

Traditions

  • Making and eating pancakes with various toppings
  • Organising pancake races in towns and cities
  • Tossing pancakes in frying pans
  • Eating pancakes with lemon and sugar
  • Competing in charity pancake races
  • Serving pancakes for breakfast or lunch
  • School pancake-eating competitions
  • Family pancake-making parties

Fun Facts

  • Pancake Day falls on a different date each year because Easter is calculated using the lunar calendar
  • The tradition of pancake racing is unique to the UK, particularly in the Cotswolds
  • Pancakes were eaten to use up rich foods before the Lenten fasting period
  • The oldest pancake race tradition dates back to 1445 in Olney, Buckinghamshire
  • Lemon and sugar remains the most popular pancake topping in the UK

When is Pancake Day each year?

YearDateDay
202617 February 2026Tuesday
20279 February 2027Tuesday
202829 February 2028Tuesday
202913 February 2029Tuesday
20305 March 2030Tuesday
203125 February 2031Tuesday
203210 February 2032Tuesday
20331 March 2033Tuesday
203421 February 2034Tuesday
20356 February 2035Tuesday

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