Shrove Tuesday


Pieter Bruegel the Elder: The Fight Between Carnival and Lent (detail), 1559

Also called: Pancake Day, Mardi Gras
Observed by: Christians (including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists)
Type: Christian
Observances: Confession and Absolution, the ritual burning of the previous year's Palm Sunday branches, finalizing one's Lenten sacrifice, eating pancakes and other sweets
Date: Concluding day of Carnival or Shrovetide; the day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday is always placed 47 days before the western Easter Sunday
2025 date: March 4
2026 date: February 17
2027 date: February 9
Frequency: Annual
Related to: Pre-Lent, Carnival, Ash Wednesday

Shrove Tuesday (also known as Mardi Gras, Pancake Tuesday or Pancake Day) is the final day of Shrovetide, marking the end of pre-Lent. Lent begins the following day with Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday is observed in many Christian countries through participating in confession and absolution, the ritual burning of the previous year's Holy Week palms, finalizing one's Lenten sacrifice, as well as eating pancakes and other sweets.

Shrove Tuesday is observed by many Christians, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Roman Catholics, who "make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with." This moveable feast is determined by Easter. The expression "Shrove Tuesday" comes from the word shrive, meaning "absolve". Christians traditionally visit their church on Shrove Tuesday to confess their sins and clean their soul, thus being "shriven" before the start of Lent.

As this is the last day of the Christian liturgical season historically known as Carnival or Shrovetide, before the penitential season of Lent, related popular practices, such as indulging in food that one might give up as their Lenten sacrifice for the upcoming forty days, are associated with Shrove Tuesday celebrations. The term Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Many Christian congregations thus observe the day through eating pancakes or, more specifically, the holding of pancake breakfasts, as well as the ringing of church bells to remind people to repent of their sins before the start of Lent. On Shrove Tuesday, churches also burn the palms distributed during the previous year's Palm Sunday liturgies to make the ashes used during the services held on the very next day, Ash Wednesday.

In some Christian countries, especially those where the day is called Mardi Gras or a translation thereof, it is a carnival day, the last day of "fat eating" or "gorging" before the fasting period of Lent.

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Worcester Cathedral Pancake Race 2026

Worcester Cathedral
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688 Views
Feb 16 2026
It was ‘flipping’ fantastic in the cloisters of Worcester Cathedral as choristers took on the legendary annual pancake race.

The relay race over an obstacle course, takes place around the cloisters, between two teams made up of the two sides of the Cathedral Choir - Cantoris and Decani.

There are a range of obstacles to contend with - beanbags balanced on heads, hula hoops and more - all whilst dressed in cassocks and flipping pancakes along the way.

The teams race around the cloisters to see who can complete the course the fastest, without dropping the pancake.

Students from King’s St Albans line the cloisters to cheer them on.

And the victorious team this year is… Team Cantoris! It was a sweet victory for the team, coming back to defend their title for the third year running.

The Dean of Worcester, The Very Revd Dr Stephen Edwards, said: “It’s always great fun to see the children enjoying our annual pancake race. When I arrived at the Cathedral 7 years ago, I thought ‘this isn’t what I signed up for!’ But it’s a much-loved tradition and a wonderfully fun event before Lent begins. I’m disappointed not to have been running this year, but hopefully I will be back next year to reclaim the title for Decani! Congratulations to this year’s winners Cantoris and well done to all involved!”

Worcester Cathedral Pancake Race 2025

Worcester Cathedral
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141 views Premiered Mar 4, 2025 #pancake #shrovetuesday #pancakerace
Happy Shrove Tuesday! Time for the annual Worcester Cathedral Pancake Race...

Congratulations to this year's victors - Team Cantoris 🥞

#pancake #pancakerace #worcestercathedral #shrovetuesday

With thanks to JDA Media for the fabulous video!