What date in February does Pancake Tuesday fall on? And why does it change every year?

Apart from October and December, February is probably one of the best months of the year for those with a sweet tooth, as it's the month when both Valentine's Day and Pancake Tuesday are celebrated.

Shop displays are filled with heart-shaped sweets and bouquets of edible chocolate roses, and bottles of maple syrup, plastic lemons and ready-made pancake mix line the shelves in supermarkets. 

While both occasions have religious roots - with Valentine's Day honouring St Valentine and Pancake Tuesday (or Shrove Tuesday) marking the day before the Lent season begins - people of all walks of life and faiths enjoy the festivities of both. 

This year in Ireland, Pancake Tuesday falls on February 13, with Valentine's Day hot on its heels on February 14. 

Why does the date for Pancake Tuesday change every year? 

Shrove Tuesday is always exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday, and the date can range from between February 3 and March 9. 

The tradition of eating pancakes in February dates back hundreds of years, with ties to Christian, pagan, and Slavic belief systems. 

Pagans reportedly ate round, hot pancakes around this time of year as a symbol of the sun's power and warmth and the return of spring, while Christians began to eat pancakes at this time - often with sugar and lemon or other fruits - before the beginning of Lent fasting on Ash Wednesday (February 14). 

For Christians, Shrove Tuesday marks the end of pre-Lent, with many practitioners participating in confession and absolution as well as choosing a Lenten sacrifice, such as giving up sweets until Easter. 

However, many people choose not to participate in Lent and simply enjoy the ritual of pancake making with family and friends on the day. 

Popular toppings range from simple sugar and lemon, to bacon and maple syrup, fruits and cream, and Nutella. 

A number of dessert shops offer discounts or special prices on the day, with Gino's Gelato offering free crepes from 9am to 12pm at its stores nationwide (excluding Liffey Valley). 

The offer is limited to one crepe per person, and for an extra €2 donation to the Children’s Health Foundation you can even get complimentary Nutella!