When is Fat Thursday in 2026, 2027 and 2028?
- 12 February 2026 - Fat Thursday (Easter 5 April),
- 4 February 2027 - Fat Thursday (Easter 28 March),
- 24 February 2028 - Fat Thursday (Easter 16 April).
In 2029 Fat Thursday is on 8 February and in 2030 on 28 February. Dates for 10 years are in the table below.
How is the date of Fat Thursday calculated?
Fat Thursday falls 52 days before Easter, on the Thursday of the last full week before Ash Wednesday. For example, Easter 2026 is on 5 April, and 52 days earlier is 12 February.
Because the date of Easter changes every year, Fat Thursday falls between 29 January and 4 March. The Gregorian algorithm that calculates Easter is described on the page When is Easter?.
Fat Thursday, Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
Carnival ends shortly after Fat Thursday. Shrove Tuesday (Ostatki) falls 47 days before Easter, and Ash Wednesday comes the next day. In 2026 they are on 17 and 18 February, and in 2027 on 9 and 10 February. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, which lasts until Easter.
On Fat Thursday, Poles traditionally eat pączki (filled doughnuts) and faworki (crisp fried pastry).
Is Fat Thursday a day off in Poland?
No. Fat Thursday is a normal working day, and shops and bakeries open at their usual times. For the days that are public holidays in Poland, see Is today a holiday in Poland?.
Frequently asked questions
Is today Fat Thursday?
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When is Fat Thursday in 2026?
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When is Fat Thursday in 2027?
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Why is Fat Thursday on a different day every year?
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When is Shrove Tuesday (Ostatki) in 2026?
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Are shops open on Fat Thursday?
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