Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, an important time for Christians leading up to Easter. Here's what to know.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent that leads up to Good Friday and Easter. What to know about the day.

Ash Wednesday falls on Wednesday, March 5 this year. In Western churches, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a period of spiritual reflection before Easter. Lent runs through April 17, 2025. Palm Sunday, the first day of the Holy Week which commemorates Jesus Christ's entry to Jerusalem, is on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

Easter is a few months away, but several other religious holidays, like Ash Wednesday, are coming up. Here's when Fat Tuesday is and when Lent starts.

Holy Saturday marks the end of the Lenten season on April 19, it is a time to mourn the death of Jesus and to prepare for his resurrection. After sunset, the Easter Vigil is often celebrated it is a a liturgical tradition that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This year, the spring equinox is March 20, and the first full moon following it is on April 12, making Easter April 20. 46 days before April 20 is March 5, making that date Ash Wednesday for 2025. Maria Francis of USA Today contributed to this report.

Lent came early last year, but it is back to a bit more normal schedule for 2025. Here's a look when Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent start.