When Is Easter 2026? Date, Day and Countdown
Easter Sunday 2026 is on Sunday, 5 April 2026.
2026 dates around Easter
| Event | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) | 17 February 2026 | Tuesday |
| Ash Wednesday | 18 February 2026 | Wednesday |
| Mothering Sunday | 15 March 2026 | Sunday |
| Palm Sunday | 29 March 2026 | Sunday |
| Good Friday (bank holiday) | 3 April 2026 | Friday |
| Easter Sunday | 5 April 2026 | Sunday |
| Easter Monday (bank holiday) | 6 April 2026 | Monday |
How 2026 compares
The last time it fell on 5 April was 2015. The next time it falls on 5 April will be 2037.
How the date is worked out
The date is set by the church calendar rather than a fixed day. Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the “Paschal full moon” (an agreed calendar version of the full moon) that falls on or after 21 March. That is why Easter can be as early as 22 March or as late as 25 April, and why so many other dates move with it: Pancake Day, Ash Wednesday, Mothering Sunday and Whitsun are all counted back or forward from Easter Sunday.
Good to know
- Good Friday is a bank holiday across the UK. Easter Monday is a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not in Scotland.
- In England and Wales, large shops (over 280 square metres) must stay closed on Easter Sunday under Sunday trading rules. Smaller shops can open.
- Eastern Orthodox churches work out Easter using a different calendar, so Orthodox Easter is often on a different date from the one shown here.
- Easter school holidays are set by each local authority and school, so the dates vary even though Easter Sunday is the same everywhere.
Other years
Frequently asked questions
When is Easter 2026?
Easter Sunday 2026 is on Sunday 5 April.
What day of the week is Easter in 2026?
Sunday.
When is Good Friday 2026?
Good Friday 2026 is on Friday, 3 April 2026. It is a bank holiday across the UK.
When is Easter Monday 2026?
Easter Monday 2026 is on Monday, 6 April 2026. It is a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
When is Pancake Day 2026?
Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) 2026 is on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, 47 days before Easter Sunday.
Is Easter 2026 early or late?
Easter can fall between 22 March and 25 April. In 2026 it is around the middle of its range.
Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year from official sources and are estimates for guidance only, not financial or legal advice. Printed from ukanswers.co.uk.