when does lent end for catholics

For Catholics in 2025, Lent ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, April 17. This marks the conclusion of the 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5. While Lent spans 46 calendar days including Sundays, the fasting and penitential observances are traditionally counted as 40 days excluding Sundays. After Holy Thursday, the liturgical season transitions into the Holy Triduum leading up to Easter Sunday on April 20.