when is easter 2026: Easter Sunday set for April 5, 2026 (ET)
Easter Sunday in 2026 falls on April 5, 2026. Observers following Eastern Time should mark their calendars for that date; related observances during Holy Week and the Easter Monday holiday follow in the days surrounding it.
Key dates around Easter 2026 (Eastern Time)
- Palm Sunday: March 29, 2026 — the traditional start of Holy Week.
- Maundy Thursday: April 2, 2026 — commemorates the Last Supper.
- Good Friday: April 3, 2026 — a day of reflection and services in many communities.
- Holy Saturday: April 4, 2026 — the day before Easter Sunday.
- Easter Sunday: April 5, 2026 — the principal feast celebrating the resurrection.
- Easter Monday: April 6, 2026 — observed as a public holiday in some countries.
What to watch for and planning notes
Easter's date changes each year because it follows a formula tied to the lunar cycle and the spring equinox. For planning purposes in Eastern Time, note that religious services, community events and spring school breaks commonly align with the week listed above. Travel and event bookings around early April may see higher demand; those arranging church services, family gatherings or community activities should confirm local schedules and service times as the date approaches.
For people coordinating international calls or virtual events, convert between ET and local zones, particularly if participants are in regions that do not observe daylight saving or that change clocks on different dates. In 2026, daylight saving time in ET is set to begin earlier in March, so April 5 falls under daylight saving (Eastern Daylight Time) for most locations that observe it.
This brief guide gives the essential calendar placement for Easter 2026 and the immediate Holy Week timeline in Eastern Time to help with scheduling and observance planning.
