Quick Guide — when is easter 2026 and the key dates for Lent

Mo. Basuony

Published: February 18, 2026 12:01 AM ET

Quick Guide — when is easter 2026 and the key dates for Lent

Easter 2026 falls on Sunday, April 5, 2026 (ET). For many Christians the date marks the climax of Holy Week and the end of the Lenten season; for communities and calendars it sets the timing for observances and public events in the spring. Here are the key dates for Lent and Holy Week this year, what they mean and why the holiday’s timing shifts from year to year.

Key dates for Lent and Holy Week (Eastern Time)

Mark these dates on your calendar:

Ash Wednesday: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 (ET). This day begins the 40-day Lenten period observed with fasting, fasting-related practices and the distribution of ashes in many churches.
Lent: Feb. 18 through Thursday, April 2, 2026 (ET). The traditional Lenten span leads up to Holy Week and Holy Saturday, concluding the day before Easter Sunday.
Good Friday: Friday, April 3, 2026 (ET). The solemn day commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus is observed during Holy Week, two days before Easter.
Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 5, 2026 (ET). The principal feast of the Christian year, celebrating the resurrection.
Orthodox Great Lent (observed by many Eastern churches): Feb. 23 to Apr. 11, 2026 (ET). Dates for Eastern traditions often differ because they follow a distinct liturgical calendar.

Why the date shifts each year

Easter’s date is not fixed to a single calendar day. Instead, it is set as the first Sunday after the first full moon that falls on or after the ecclesiastical March equinox, which churches treat as March 21. That formula—rooted in early church practice—means Easter can land anywhere between late March and late April. The interplay of the solar equinox and lunar cycle is why Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and the rest of Lent move around on the calendar each year.

What to expect this season and why Ash Wednesday draws attention

Many parishes and congregations see a noticeable rise in attendance on Ash Wednesday. The public act of receiving ashes—often made from last year’s blessed palm branches—is a visible sign of penitence and a communal entry point into the Lenten season, and it frequently brings people who do not attend regularly through church doors.

Lent traditionally invites fasting, almsgiving and prayer. Individuals may choose to give up certain foods or habits, add devotional practices, or focus on charitable work in the weeks leading to Easter. Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday and includes Holy Thursday and Good Friday, intensifies those observances and culminates in Easter Sunday celebrations.

For planners, faith communities and anyone scheduling spring activities, the earlier arrival of Lent in 2026—more than two weeks earlier than some recent years—means events tied to Holy Week will come at the start of April. Families, schools and organizations that coordinate around religious calendars should note these dates and times are stated in Eastern Time (ET) for clarity.

Whether you observe these days liturgically, culturally or simply mark them on a planner, knowing when Easter falls helps with travel plans, community services and personal preparations for the season of reflection and renewal.