Every February, kitchens across the United Kingdom fill with the sizzle of batter hitting hot pans, and the air is thick with anticipation: it’s Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, a tradition that’s as much about community as it is about food. This year, on February 17, 2026, the celebration is as vibrant as ever, with centuries-old customs mixing with new twists and a dash of royal inspiration.
Shrove Tuesday, always falling the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, is a day rooted in using up rich ingredients—eggs, butter, milk—before the fasting and reflection of the Lenten season. According to Euro Weekly News, the tradition traces back to the 16th century in Britain, though its roots may reach even further. Anglo-Saxon Christians would confess their sins—becoming “shriven”—as they prepared spiritually for Lent. Pancakes, simple yet indulgent, became the perfect food to use up larder staples, and so a beloved ritual was born.
But Pancake Day isn’t just a British affair. Around the world, the day is marked by a variety of names and customs. In the UK and parts of the Commonwealth, it’s Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday. In French-speaking regions and the US, Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday”) takes center stage, focusing on rich foods and lively celebration. Sweden calls it Fettisdagen, Germany has Fastnacht, Iceland celebrates Sprengidagur, and Portugal marks Carnival with Entrudo. Spain, meanwhile, gets a head start with Fat Thursday (Día de la Tortilla or Omelette Day), a pre-Lent indulgence that’s just as spirited.
The UK’s take on Shrove Tuesday is often modest and homey. Families gather to flip pancakes—lemon and sugar being the classic topping—while communities host pancake races. The most famous of these, the Olney pancake race in Buckinghamshire, dates back to 1445, inspired by a housewife who was said to be rushing to church while tossing her pancake. According to Euro Weekly News, over 22 million more pancakes are eaten on this day than the UK average, a statistic that speaks volumes about the day’s popularity.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Carnival is a riot of color and noise. Towns like Cadiz and Tenerife erupt in parades, music, and elaborate costumes, while in Tolox, Malaga Province, locals throw flour at each other in a dust-up reminiscent of Valencia’s La Tomatina. The contrast between the UK’s reserved, chilly February festivities and Spain’s exuberant Mediterranean revelry couldn’t be starker—one is a quiet, lemon-scented reflection, the other a communal, boisterous party.
Cafés and restaurants in the UK also get in on the action, with some going all out. Starfish and Coffee, a café in Egremont Place, Brighton, is bracing for its busiest Tuesday of the year. Owner Tony Marks told the BBC, “We put our regular menu to one side, we devote the whole day to making our famous pancakes.” The café, nearly fully booked thanks to the half term holiday, has even acquired new pans for the occasion. Bookings came in as early as three months ago, with people eager to secure a table for the big day. The menu features not just sweet options, but savory delights such as shakshuka topped pancakes and lentil ragu pancakes. Marks added, “We try not to go down the purely sweet pancake route, but we have some really indulgent ones like the Baileys chocolate mousse with lemon ricotta and caramelised banana.” Head chef Marcin Sulek expects to cook hundreds of pancakes, making the day a true test of stamina and skill.
While the core of Pancake Day remains unchanged—using up pantry staples before Lent—there’s no shortage of creativity when it comes to toppings and pairings. Even the late Queen Elizabeth II was known to enjoy Pancake Day. In 2021, the official Royal Family website shared her favorite pancake toppings, revealing a taste for both the classic and the unexpected. The base for her pancakes was always “beurre noisette” (browned butter), a French culinary technique that imparts a nutty flavor and keeps pancakes moist. According to Hello! magazine, her favorite sweet toppings included the ever-popular lemon and sugar, as well as jam and cream. But the royal palate didn’t shy away from savory: diced ham, sweated leeks, and Gruyere cheese made for a filling and sophisticated option.
Nutritionist Hannah Alderson, speaking to Hello!, recommends seeking out toppings rich in protein and fiber for a healthier take. “Ingredients like full fat Greek yoghurt with seeds and colourful berries rich in antioxidants or sliced kiwi with the skin on are great,” she says. Homemade raspberry chia jams with yoghurt or nut butters also get her seal of approval, supporting blood sugar regulation and adding nutritional value. Alderson advises enjoying pancakes as dessert after a main meal, to help balance blood sugar and avoid the pitfalls of ultra-processed chocolate spreads. “Melting 85 percent chocolate or using cacao nibs is a great source of magnesium and antioxidants too,” she suggests.
For those looking to elevate their Pancake Day experience, the Champagne Bureau UK has curated a list of perfect pairings, reported by Glass of Bubbly. Lemon and sugar pancakes shine next to a well-chilled Brut Blanc de Blancs, whose citrus notes echo the lemon, while its clean acidity keeps things fresh. Strawberries and cream are a natural match for Rosé Champagne, with its red berry notes and gentle bubbles. Maple syrup pancakes come alive with a balanced Demi-Sec, whose soft sweetness and bright fizz make for an easy, feel-good pairing. Summer fruit pancakes benefit from the fruity character and aromas of a Brut non-vintage, while banana and walnut pancakes find their match in a Vintage Champagne, whose nutty notes and long finish complement the dish beautifully.
Tradition and modernity mingle on Pancake Day, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the diversity of ways people celebrate. Whether it’s a quiet family meal, a community race, a bustling café, or a Champagne pairing at home, the spirit of using up, indulging, and coming together before Lent endures. Lent itself takes different forms across Europe: in the UK, it’s often marked by personal sacrifices—giving up chocolate, for instance—while Spain’s Lent leads into elaborate Holy Week processions. In both places, supermarkets like Mercadona in Spain promote fish on Fridays, keeping alive the tradition of abstaining from meat.
From the humble pancake flipped in a home kitchen to the wild flour battles of Tolox and the refined tastes of British royalty, Pancake Day continues to surprise and delight. However you choose to mark the day before Lent, there’s a place at the table for everyone—and another pancake waiting to be tossed.