When the smell of freshly fried donuts begins to mix in the air, and a suspicious amount of wigs, glitter and costumes in the style of "last minute from Ali" appear in stores, it is clear that the time of year is approaching when we can pretend that we are not us for a day. At a time when reality becomes of secondary importance for a moment and any adult dressed as a dinosaur or a flamingo is a completely acceptable phenomenon. Carnival - the only holiday where the social mask is less important than the latex one. When is Carnival 2026?
You already know. When is Shrovetide 2026?? Like any real madness, carnival needs its perfect moment. And this is where things get a little complicated. Every year, this crazy joy wanders around the calendar like a distracted student around an exam schedule. Of course, if you're not one of those who has a grandmother from the Ptuj area (where the date of carnival seems almost more sacred than Easter), you can quickly miss it. But don't worry - below we reveal exactly when it will be time for the loudest, sweetest and most sparkling celebration of winter this year.
When is Carnival 2026?
Carnival 2026 will be on Tuesday, February 17th – which means you can start brainstorming ideas for the most bizarre, imaginative, or simply the most comfortable mask (yes, pajamas with ears count). Don't be surprised: Carnival festivities don't just happen on Tuesday, but most of us start warming up during the weekend before. So mark your calendars: from February 14 to 17, 2026 Carnival season will be in full swing.
What is Pancake Day and why does it make us crazy every year?
Carnival is that magical mix of tradition, sugar, and perfectly acceptable social chaos that saves us from the seriousness of everyday life every year (at least for a few days). At its roots, it is about ancient pagan celebration, which is supposed to chase away winter and usher in spring. In the Christian calendar, Lent marks the time before the 40-day fast that begins on Ash Wednesday.
And while most of us don't have any serious Lenten intentions, we don't let the opportunity to indulge in a few donuts, liters of mulled wine, and selfies with people dressed as humanoid bananas pass us by.
When is Carnival every year?
If you think that Shrove Tuesday always moves like a lunar eclipse – you’re right. Shrove Tuesday depends on Easter date, which changes every year, as it follows the lunar calendar. The formula? Quite complicated. Let's put it in layman's terms: Shrove Tuesday is 47 days before Easter.
For those who are already planning future births, here are some upcoming dates:
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- Carnival 2026: Tuesday, February 17
- Carnival 2027: Tuesday, February 9
- Carnival 2028: Tuesday, February 29th (yes, leap year, another reason to party!)
How do we celebrate Carnival in Slovenia?
If the carnival tradition had an Instagram, its feed would be pure aesthetics: colorful masks, laughter, the smell of donuts, and the sound of accordions. In Slovenia, carnival is serious matter – almost as serious as the weather on May Day. Each region has its own peculiarities:
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- Curing in Ptuj It's a world unto itself. The Kurenti chase away the winter with their wild dance and scare children (and adults, to be honest).
- Cerkno Laufarija brings one of the most authentic depictions of the ancient carnival with as many as 25 characters and a real "trial" over winter.
- Carnival processions In larger cities (Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje) they impress with imaginative group masks and – of course – throwing sweets into the audience. Because why not?
Let's not forget the point: donuts, of course
What would Lent be without it? donuts? Like New Year's without fireworks - completely pointless. Traditionally filled with apricot jam, today it's almost a gourmet ritual: with vanilla cream, chocolate, lemon curd and yes, there are even vegan ones.
Here's a little tip: if you're tempted to bake your own donuts this year, go for it. Just be prepared for your kitchen to look like a test lab from "Breaking Bad" for at least three hours.
Conclusion: Carnival is not just a children's affair - it is an essential escape from routine
If there's a time of year when you can put on a wig, oversized sunglasses, and pretend to be a flamingo, it's Carnival. Anything goes (well, almost), and that's the magic: we let go of the reins, laugh our hearts out, and admit that the world gets pretty boring without a little madness.
So, What will your mask be this year?
