Easter Season Begins March 31, 2026

The Easter season begins on Easter Sunday, which in 2026 falls on March 31st. This date marks the start of a 50-day liturgical period known as Eastertide, a time of celebration in Christian traditions commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The question when does Easter season begin is often linked to understanding not only the specific date of Easter Sunday but also the broader spiritual and cultural observances that follow. Unlike fixed holidays, Easter’s timing depends on a complex calculation involving the lunar calendar and the spring equinox, making the answer to when does the Easter season start vary from year to year.

Understanding the Date of Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is a moveable feast, meaning it does not occur on the same calendar date each year. Instead, it is determined by a combination of astronomical and ecclesiastical rules. According to tradition, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal (spring) equinox, which typically falls on March 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. This system was established during the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to standardize the date across Christian churches.

For example, in 2026, the vernal equinox occurs on March 20. The first full moon after that date is on March 27, which means the following Sunday—March 31—is Easter Sunday. Therefore, the Easter season officially begins on this day. It's important to note that Western Christianity (including Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations) uses the Gregorian calendar for these calculations, while Eastern Orthodox churches use the older Julian calendar, which can result in different dates for Easter.

Eastertide: The 50-Day Season of Celebration

The Easter season, also known as Eastertide or Paschal Time, lasts for seven weeks, culminating in Pentecost, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Each Sunday during this period is considered a "Sunday of Easter," reinforcing the joyous nature of the resurrection. The first eight days form the Octave of Easter, treated as a single continuous feast in the liturgical calendar.

During Eastertide, church services emphasize themes of renewal, hope, and salvation. Liturgical colors shift from Lenten purple to white or gold, symbolizing purity and victory. Hymns such as "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" are sung, and the phrase "Alleluia," often omitted during Lent, returns with prominence.

Liturgical Calendar Context

To fully understand when the Easter season begins, one must consider its place within the broader Christian liturgical year. The season follows Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance that starts on Ash Wednesday. However, the Easter season itself does not include Lent; rather, it begins immediately after the Triduum—the three-day sacred period encompassing Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.

The Easter Vigil, held on the evening of Holy Saturday, is actually the first official liturgy of the Easter season. Though it occurs before Easter Sunday, it celebrates the resurrection and thus marks the theological beginning of the season. In practice, however, most people recognize Easter Sunday as the public and communal start of the celebrations.

Regional and Denominational Differences

While the general rule for determining Easter Sunday is widely accepted, there are notable differences between Christian traditions:

• Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches: Follow the Gregorian calendar and generally celebrate Easter on the same Sunday.
• Eastern Orthodox Churches: Use the Julian calendar for calculating Easter, which often results in a later date—sometimes up to five weeks after Western Easter. In 2026, Orthodox Easter will fall on April 26.
• Some Oriental Orthodox Churches: May follow slightly different calculations, though many align with the Eastern Orthodox date.

These variations mean that the answer to when does the Easter season begin can differ depending on location and religious affiliation. For instance, in countries like Greece, Russia, or Ethiopia, public celebrations may occur several weeks after those in the United States or Western Europe.

Year	Western Easter Sunday	Orthodox Easter Sunday
2025	April 20	April 20
2026	March 31	April 26
2027	April 11	May 2
2028	April 16	April 16

Cultural Celebrations Around the World

The beginning of the Easter season is marked by diverse customs across the globe. While the religious significance remains central in many regions, secular traditions have also become widespread.

In the United States, Easter Sunday is associated with family gatherings, church services, Easter egg hunts, and the symbolic figure of the Easter Bunny. Major retailers often open on Easter morning, though hours vary by state and chain. In contrast, Australia bans large retail operations on Easter Sunday in several states, reflecting stronger legal protections for public holidays.

In Latin America, especially in countries like Mexico and Guatemala, Holy Week (Semana Santa) leads into Easter Sunday with processions, reenactments, and vibrant street art. In Sweden and Finland, children dress as witches and go door-to-door for candy—a unique blend of pagan and Christian traditions.

In the Philippines, one of the few majority-Christian nations in Asia, Good Friday is observed with solemn rituals, including real crucifixions in some rural communities. Easter Sunday then brings relief and celebration, marking the official start of the Easter season for millions.

How to Prepare for the Easter Season

Whether observing Easter for religious or cultural reasons, preparation enhances the experience. Here are practical steps:

1. Check Church Schedules: Confirm service times for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday. Many parishes offer special events like sunrise services or Easter breakfasts.
2. Plan Family Activities: Organize egg hunts, decorate eggs, or prepare traditional meals such as lamb, hot cross buns, or paska bread.
3. Review Retail Hours: If shopping is necessary, verify whether stores are open on Easter Sunday. In the U.S., Walmart, Target, and grocery chains often open with limited hours, while Costco and most banks remain closed.
4. Travel Planning: Easter weekend is a popular travel time in many countries. Book accommodations early, especially in tourist destinations or pilgrimage sites.
5. Spiritual Preparation: Engage in Lenten practices leading up to Easter, such as reading Scripture, attending confession, or performing acts of charity.

Common Misconceptions About the Easter Season

Several myths persist about when and how the Easter season begins:

• Misconception: Easter always falls in April.
  Reality: Easter can occur as early as March 22 and as late as April 25. In 2026, it falls in March.
• Misconception: The Easter season starts on Ash Wednesday.
  Reality: Ash Wednesday begins Lent, which precedes Easter. The Easter season begins after Lent concludes.
• Misconception: All Christians celebrate Easter on the same day.
  Reality: Due to calendar differences, Eastern and Western churches often observe Easter on different Sundays.
• Misconception: The Easter Bunny marks the start of the season.
  Reality: While culturally prominent, the Easter Bunny is a secular symbol and not tied to the liturgical beginning.

How to Verify Easter Dates and Local Observances

Because Easter’s date changes annually and observances vary regionally, it’s essential to confirm details locally. Reliable sources include:

• Official church websites and bulletins
• National holiday calendars (e.g., USA.gov, UK.gov)
• Major news outlets’ holiday guides
• Retailer websites for operating hours
• Tourism boards for event schedules in foreign countries

For future planning, online liturgical calendars and ecclesiastical date calculators can project Easter dates decades in advance based on both Gregorian and Julian systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Easter season begin in 2026?

The Easter season begins on Sunday, March 31, 2026, in Western Christian traditions.

Does the Easter season include Lent?

No, Lent is a preparatory season that ends before Easter. The Easter season begins after the Easter Vigil and lasts for 50 days.

Why do Orthodox and Catholic Easter dates differ?

They use different calendars—Orthodox churches follow the Julian calendar, while Catholics use the Gregorian, leading to different full moon calculations.

Is Easter Sunday a public holiday worldwide?

No, while it is recognized in many Christian-majority countries, it is not a national holiday in others, such as Japan or India, though local observances may occur.

What ends the Easter season?

The Easter season concludes on Pentecost Sunday, which occurs 50 days after Easter Sunday, commemorating the coming of the Holy Spirit.