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

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.

Carnival Season typically starts after Epiphany on Jan. 6 and culminates on Ash Wednesday, which falls on March 5 this year.

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.

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.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day period in which Christians worldwide observe a period of reflection, prayer and penance. Lent ends with Holy Week and Easter Sunday, an important day in the Christian calendar that honors the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion on the cross, per BBC.