When is Easter 2026? Dates for Ash Wednesday, Lent, Good Friday and Easter Sunday
Short answer: Easter Sunday in 2026 is on April 5, 2026 (ET). Below is a rundown of the major dates and observances that mark the Lenten and Easter season for 2026, with notes for both Western and Eastern observances.
Key dates for the 2026 Lenten season (Western observance)
Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent in Western Christian traditions, falls on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 (ET). Lent then runs through Thursday, April 2, 2026 (ET), providing the traditional span for 40 days of fasting and spiritual preparation leading up to Holy Week.
Historically, the length and observance of Lent evolved over centuries to mirror the 40-day period associated with Jesus' time in the desert. In modern practice, many Christians use these weeks for increased prayer, fasting, charitable work and other disciplines in anticipation of Easter.
Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter weekend
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and includes several high points for worship and commemoration. In 2026 these days fall as follows (all ET):
- Good Friday: Friday, April 3, 2026 (ET) — the day many Western Christians observe the crucifixion.
- Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 5, 2026 (ET) — the celebration of the resurrection, observed on the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the spring equinox.
Holy Thursday (also called Maundy Thursday) and other weekday observances during Holy Week lead into Good Friday and the Easter celebration on Sunday. Because the date of Easter is tied to lunar and equinox calculations, it shifts from year to year; Easter in 2025 was observed on April 20, while in 2027 it will fall on March 28 (ET).
Eastern Christian observances and timing differences
The Eastern or Orthodox Christian calendar often places Lent and Pascha on different dates from Western observance because their calculation methods diverge. In 2026, the period recognized as Great Lent in many Eastern traditions begins on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 (ET) and runs through Saturday, April 11, 2026 (ET). Pascha, the Eastern celebration of the resurrection, falls on Sunday, April 12, 2026 (ET).
These differences mean that while Western churches celebrate Easter on April 5, many Eastern congregations will observe Pascha a week later. That split is a regular feature of the Christian liturgical landscape and affects holiday scheduling for families and communities with mixed traditions.
Practical notes: With Easter landing on April 5, 2026 (ET), clergy, schools and event organizers should confirm local service times and community events well in advance. Travel, holiday planning and theatrical or concert schedules tied to the season will often hinge on whether a community follows Western or Eastern dates.
For readers asking "when is Easter 2026, " the definitive Western date is April 5, 2026 (ET). For those following Eastern calendars, Pascha is April 12, 2026 (ET). Both observances mark the culmination of a season of reflection for millions and drive a wide range of religious and cultural events across the calendar.
