Maslenitsa is one of the most joyful, delicious and long-awaited holidays in Rus'. This is a week of fun meetings, traditional pancakes, family gatherings and a symbolic farewell to winter. Each day of the holiday week has a hidden meaning.
In 2026, Maslenitsa Week begins on February 16 and ends on February 22, smoothly transitioning into Lent. Experts advise you to find out in advance how to celebrate this event day by day, what to cook, how to treat your loved ones and what rituals can be performed to make the whole year happy and satisfying.
February 16: Meeting. The beginning of Maslenitsa week. On this day, a scarecrow of Maslenitsa is built and decorated, placed in a prominent place in the yard or in the center of the village. On Monday, the first pancakes are baked: the first one is always left to commemorate the souls of departed ancestors. They decorate houses with bright fabrics, ribbons, and paper suns. They invite guests for tea and treat the children. Sleigh rides and festivities begin. In the evening, the family gathers and discusses plans for the celebration.
February 17: Flirting. A day of youth celebrations and fun games. Guys and girls get to know each other, flirt with each other – they used to often get married at this time. Folk pastimes: slides, snow fights, tag, round dances. Young people make dates for each other, and shows are arranged. Fairs, competitions and the first masquerade costumes are organized. The whole family continues to bake pancakes and eat them.
February 18: Gourmand. At home, people begin to treat each other en masse, and the son-in-law goes “to his mother-in-law for pancakes” – an important tradition, a symbol of reconciliation and gratitude. Lush feasts, delicious treats: pancakes with honey, butter, jam, caviar, cottage cheese, sour cream. Women show off their culinary skills. Guests, friends, relatives are invited. In the evening they tell fairy tales and play with the children.
February 19: Take a walk. The beginning of the wide Maslenitsa is the height of folk festivities and fun. Mass celebrations, performances with mummers, music, dancing, pillow fights, ice towns. Triple skating, swings, tug of war, fist fights (symbol of strength, courage, purification). Everyone continues to treat each other to pancakes, street fairs.
February 20: Mother-in-law's party. The son-in-law invites his mother-in-law to visit, treats him to pancakes and other dishes – now he shows respect, and the mother-in-law accepts him. The young people take charge of the house and bake pancakes for the guests. All guests are given attention and given souvenirs (ribbons, rag dolls). Songs, dances, funny stories at the table.
February 21: Sister-in-law's gatherings. Daughters-in-law invite their sisters-in-law (husband's sisters) and other relatives from their husband's side to visit. The hostess shows her cordiality and skill, giving her husband's sisters small gifts. They organize fun family gatherings, serve delicious food, chat and laugh. On this day, be sure to prepare pancakes with fillings, especially sweet ones.
February 22: Forgiveness Sunday. The culmination of the holiday is the day of asking each other for forgiveness for offenses, ending quarrels and beginning spiritual cleansing before Lent. They ask for forgiveness from relatives, friends and even neighbors: “Forgive me if I am guilty before you.” After this, the whole family burns an effigy of Maslenitsa (a symbol of the passing of winter and the mistakes of the past). They release larks into the sky (a symbol of spring) or make them from dough and distribute them to children. Maslenitsa week ends with a family dinner and quiet conversations.
