How the date is set
Western churches calculate Easter using the Gregorian calendar. Palm Sunday falls seven days before Easter, Good Friday two days before it, Ascension Day 39 days after it and Pentecost 49 days after it.
These dates follow the Western Gregorian calendar. Eastern Orthodox churches can observe Easter and related days on different dates. Confirm your own church's calendar before announcing a service.
Planning the service
Start with the service times, then agree on the readings, songs and sermon with the pastor. Confirm musicians, children's ministry volunteers and any baptism arrangements before printing invitations. If the church holds a sunrise service, check the venue, sound and weather plan separately from the later service.
A Scripture passage to discuss with the service leader is John 20:1-18. Choose the final readings according to your church's practice.
Browse Easter hymns and confirm the tune and verses with the musicians.
Related church dates in 2026
- Epiphany
- Ash Wednesday
- Palm Sunday
- Maundy Thursday
- Good Friday
- Ascension Day
- Pentecost
- Trinity Sunday
- Reformation Day
- First Sunday of Advent
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
Read the U.S. Naval Observatory explanation of the Western Easter calculation.
Save the calendar
Download the 2026 calendar file for a calendar app, or use the church calendar maker to prepare a printable calendar.
Calendar questions
When Is Easter 2026?
Easter 2026 falls on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
Which calendar do these dates follow?
These dates follow the Western Gregorian church calendar. Eastern Orthodox churches can observe Easter and related days on different dates. Confirm your own church's calendar before announcing a service.
More dates in 2026
- Palm Sunday 2026
- Ash Wednesday 2026
- Good Friday 2026
- Ascension 2026
- Pentecost 2026
- Advent 2026
- Christmas 2026