When Is Easter 2026? Dates from 2026 to 2030

Quick Answer: When is Easter 2026?

Easter 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, April 5 by most Western Christian churches, including Catholic and Protestant denominations. However, for Orthodox Christians—including those in Greece, Russia, and Egypt—the celebration comes a week later, on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Western churches follow the Gregorian calendar, while the Orthodox Church still uses the Julian calendar to calculate Easter’s date. This difference in calendars often creates a gap between the two celebrations. Churches determine the date as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.

• Western Easter Sunday: April 5, 2026

• Greek Orthodox Easter: April 12, 2026

• Easter Monday (Western): April 6, 2026

• Easter Monday (Orthodox): April 13, 2026

Intoduction

Easter Sunday is one of the most important days for Christians. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and marks the peak of Holy Week. This special period is more than just one day. It includes events like Palm Sunday and Good Friday, all leading up to a joyful celebration full of rich symbols and traditions.

The date of Easter changes every year. It is based on the first full moon after the spring equinox. This method affects how Western and Orthodox Christians observe Easter. As Easter 2026 approaches, understanding its meaning worldwide is important.

How Is the Date for Easter Determined Each Year?

Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon that comes after the vernal equinox. This date usually falls between March 22 and April 25. This way of calculating the date was set by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. It aligns the celebration of Easter with the lunar cycles.

Why Are There Two Different Easter Dates in 2026?

Western and Eastern Christianity use different calendar systems (Gregorian vs. Julian) and slightly different rules for determining Easter, which causes the date to vary in most years.

Will Greek Easter and Western Easter Ever Align?

Yes, the dates align roughly every few years. The most recent shared Easter date was April 20, 2025 and in 2028 both Easters will align again.

Difference Between Easter and Passover

Easter and Passover are separate but connected holidays in the Christian and Jewish faiths. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It happens after Good Friday and the Last Supper. On the other hand, Passover remembers how the Hebrews were freed from slavery in Egypt. This is marked by the Seder meal. Both holidays fall in spring. Easter is calculated using the Gregorian calendar and is based on the first full moon after the spring equinox. Passover, however, uses the Julian calendar and is celebrated on a fixed date.

Key considerations

Both holidays occur in spring but follow different calendars:

• Easter uses the Gregorian calendar and is based on the first full moon after the spring equinox.

• Passover follows the Julian calendar and is celebrated on a fixed date.

Significance of Easter Week Events

During Holy Week, events mark the end of Lent. This time is very important for Christianity. Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus’ grand entry into Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday remembers the Last Supper. Good Friday reflects on the crucifixion of Jesus. This sets the stage for the hope of Easter Sunday. Each event has a deep meaning. They highlight sacrifice, redemption, and rebirth. These themes connect strongly with believers. Together, they show the journey from darkness to light, leading to Easter Sunday.

Holy Week marks the end of Lent. It is very important in Christianity. Key events include:

• Palm Sunday: Celebrates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

• Maundy Thursday: Remembers the Last Supper.

• Good Friday: Reflects on Jesus’ crucifixion.

These events highlight sacrifice, redemption, and rebirth. They show the journey from darkness to light, leading to Easter Sunday.

Palm Sunday and Its Importance

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week. It remembers Jesus’ joyful entry into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. People welcomed him by waving palm branches as he rode in on a donkey. These branches represent peace and victory. This important event in the Christian faith sets the scene for the Easter celebrations. It reminds us of Jesus being recognized as the Messiah. It invites believers to think about his journey leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection.

Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent. This is a 40-day time for reflection and repentance leading to Easter Sunday. On this day, ashes are put on the forehead. They symbolize mortality and remind Christians of important beliefs. Holy Thursday remembers the Last Supper. It focuses on Jesus’ teachings and the creation of the Eucharist. Both days are important in Holy Week. They remind us of sacrifice and renewal in the Christian story.

Good Friday Explained

Good Friday is an important day in the Christian calendar. It takes place during Holy Week. This day remembers the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a time for serious reflection on his sacrifice. Many Christians fast and pray. They see Jesus’ death as a key part of the Paschal mystery. It is also a day of sadness. Church services often include readings from the New Testament. These readings focus on the events leading to the last supper and, in the end, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What Day Is Easter 2026?

Easter 2026 Dates by Tradition

• Western Easter Sunday: April 5, 2026

• Greek Orthodox Easter: April 12, 2026

• Russian Orthodox Easter: April 12, 2026

• Coptic Easter: April 12, 2026

• Easter Monday (Western): April 6, 2026

• Easter Monday (Orthodox): April 13, 2026

These days mark some of the most significant events in the Christian calendar, with services, public holidays, and family celebrations taking place across the world.

Easter Monday 2026

Easter Monday in 2026 will be on April 13. This day comes after the joyful celebration of Easter Sunday, an important day for Christians. Easter Monday includes many traditions and community activities. These reflect the ongoing spirit of the Easter celebration. For lots of people, it is a public holiday. This gives families a chance to come together and enjoy the lovely blessings of spring after the serious time of Lent. It is also a time to reflect and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in a positive way.

Greek Easter 2026: What You Need to Know

Greek Easter 2026 falls on Sunday, April 12, one week after Catholic Easter. It is the most important religious holiday in Greece, and it’s widely celebrated with family gatherings, church services, and traditional Greek Easter food like lamb on the spit and red-dyed eggs. Holy Week begins on Monday, April 6, and includes daily services and preparations for Easter Sunday. Public holidays often begin on Holy Thursday and extend through Easter Tuesday, with Easter Monday (April 13) being a public holiday in Greece.

Orthodox Easter 2026 vs. Catholic Easter 2026

The reason Orthodox and Catholic Easter often fall on different dates lies in the calendar system and calculation method. Orthodox Easter 2026 is celebrated on April 12, while Western Easter Sunday is celebrated on April 5. While both traditions base Easter on the spring equinox and the Paschal Full Moon, Orthodox Christianity uses the Julian calendar, which currently lags 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. Additionally, Orthodox rules require that Easter always falls after the Jewish Passover, a rule not followed by Western churches.

Orthodox and Catholic Easter dates often differ because of calendar differences and calculation methods.

• Orthodox Easter 2026 is April 12, following the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used by Western churches.

• Orthodox Easter must always fall after Jewish Passover, a rule Western churches don’t follow.

Western Easter 2026 is on April 5.

Russian and Coptic Orthodox Easter 2026

Both Russian Orthodox Easter and Coptic Orthodox Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Like the Greek Orthodox Church, these traditions follow the Julian calendar and share many of the same liturgical customs during Holy Week. In both Russia and Egypt, the Easter season is marked by fasting, processions, and midnight services that conclude with joyous family gatherings and traditional foods.

Russian Orthodox Easter 2026

This important event is celebrated mainly in the Russian Orthodox community. It takes place on Sunday, April 12, 2026. This date follows the Julian calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar used by many Western Christians. On this day, people take part in liturgies that tell the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These ceremonies focus on themes of renewal and hope. Families come together for happy feasts, ending their Lenten fast, and they share traditional meals. The celebrations often continue into the next week, with many events happening all across Russia.

Coptic Easter 2026

Coptic Easter in 2026 follows the Julian calendar, just like the Russian Orthodox. It represents the end of the Lenten fast, which is important for Coptic Christians. The event is called Pascha, and it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The celebration includes traditions from the early Christian church. Church services take place, with hymns and prayers full of joy for the resurrection. The day is very meaningful for the Coptic community.

2026 Easter Sunday and Holiday Planning

To prepare for this occasion, it’s good to know about its traditions. This includes the end of Lent and the events of Holy Week. Families often come together for traditional meals. Churches hold services to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ. You might want to visit different places for Easter. Consider going to locations with strong Christian history, like the Greek Islands or Jerusalem. This city is known for the Last Supper. Visiting these places can make your holiday more meaningful and connected to its history.

2026 Easter Sunday in Western Christianity

Easter Sunday is the end of Holy Week for Western Christians. This day is filled with joy as it marks the Resurrection of Jesus, right after Good Friday’s solemn observance. Many traditions take place, such as sunrise services and meals that show renewal and hope. Families come together for church services, where they think about the Last Supper and the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection. This day is not just about faith; it also brings people and families closer, highlighting love and forgiveness in Christianity.

2026 Orthodox Easter Celebrations Around the World

In 2026, Orthodox Easter will have lively celebrations around the world. These celebrations show traditions that go back many years. Holy Week events, like Palm Sunday and Good Friday, end with festivities on Resurrection Sunday. People gather for the liturgy, often saying, “Christ is Risen!” They celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ through traditional meals, services, and community events while remembering the crucifixion. Customs, like dyeing eggs and having candlelit processions in Jerusalem, make the Orthodox Easter experience even richer worldwide.

Travel Tips for Easter Week 2026 in Greece and Europe

Exploring Greece and Europe during Easter week gives you a mix of culture and spirituality. It is important to book your place to stay early because many people travel at this time. Join in local traditions like Maundy Thursday services and Good Friday processions, which have deep meaning. Public transportation might get crowded, so make sure to plan your routes ahead of time. You could also visit popular spots like the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem for a meaningful Easter experience, especially during Holy Week.

Easter 2026 and 2027: Comparing Dates

Here’s how Easter dates shift from 2026 to 2027:

2027 has one of the largest gaps, with Orthodox Easter more than a month after Western Easter.

Easter Dates from 2025 to 2030

Western and Eastern Christianity use different calendar systems (Gregorian vs. Julian) and slightly different rules for determining Easter, which causes the date to vary in most years.

FAQs About Easter 2026

What day is Easter in 2026?

• Western Easter Sunday: April 5, 2026

When is Greek Orthodox Easter 2026?

• April 12, 2026

How many days until Easter 2026?

• Depends on today’s date; use a countdown tool for accuracy.

What date is Easter Monday 2026?

• Western: April 6 | Orthodox: April 13

What are the Easter dates from 2025 to 2030?

• See the date table above.

Conclusion

As Easter 2026 gets closer, it is helpful to know the important dates and what they mean for Christians all over the world. This time includes important days like Good Friday, Palm Sunday, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each of these events holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning. Knowing about these dates and how different traditions like Western and Orthodox celebrate them helps create a heartfelt experience. By embracing this knowledge, we can have a meaningful Easter week filled with reflection and connection with others.