Next: 8 to 14 Mar 2027
Maslenitsa
The pancake week before Orthodox Lent: blini by the stack, sledding, fistfights for fun and the burning of Lady Maslenitsa.
When is Maslenitsa in 2027?
Maslenitsa 2027 runs from 8 to 14 March 2027. Other years: 2026, 16 to 22 February 2026; 2028, 21 to 27 February 2028.
About Maslenitsa
Maslenitsa is the Eastern Slavic week before Great Lent, in which, as in the Orthodox practice, no meat is eaten, but dairy foods are allowed. It is named after maslo, butter. Its roots go back to a pagan spring festival, welcoming the sun and saying goodbye to winter, and the round, golden blini are a sign of the sun. Each day has a purpose: sledding, visiting parents-in-law, games, and the "mother-in-law's evening". The streets hold fairs with sleigh rides, snowball fights, a climb up a greasy pole, tug of war and traditional fistfighting. Blini are served with sour cream, caviar, salmon, honey or jam. On the last Sunday, called Forgiveness Sunday, people ask forgiveness from one another, and an effigy of Maslenitsa is burned on a bonfire.
Maslenitsa dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Maslenitsa date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 to 22 February 2026 |
| 2027 | 8 to 14 March 2027 |
| 2028 | 21 to 27 February 2028 |
What is eaten
- blini
- sour cream
- caviar
- tea from the samovar
Traditions of Maslenitsa
Also part of it, and being written: Blini (The thin pancakes of the week.), Forgiveness Sunday (The last day.).
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Maslenitsa" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Great Lent: Stalinsunnykvj, CC BY-SA 4.0, source