An Ash Wednesday Drive-Thru will return to Holy Cross Catholic Church in Santa Barbara. Fr. Egren Gomez and others will offer

It's a vibrant celebration, incorporating music, food and parades and culminating on Fat Tuesday — the final day of celebration before the solemn observance of Ash Wednesday. In the Catholic tradition,

Chicago-area Muslims celebrated the start of Ramadan with fasting as Christians marked Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lent season before Easter.

If you've spotted people out and about with ashes on their forehead, it can only mean one thing: It's Ash Wednesday. Here's what to know.