Easter is one of the most important Christian holidays, which unites millions of people around the world every year. Find out the date of the holiday, the Easter calendar, the period of Lent, the traditions of the celebration and the meaning of Easter in the world

For millions of Christians around the world, the period before Easter is a time of spiritual preparation, prayer, and fasting. In 2026, Western and Eastern Christians will celebrate Easter on different dates due to differences in church calendars.

We tell you when Easter will be in 2026, why the dates of the celebration differ, how Lent and Holy Week are celebrated, and what traditions of celebration exist in different countries of the world.

If you are going to travel to Europe in your own car during the Easter holidays, do not forget to take out a Green Card insurance policy - this is a mandatory international insurance document for drivers, without which it is impossible to cross the border by car.

Take out a policy in advance and travel without unnecessary worries!

When will Easter be in 2026?

In 2026, Easter will be celebrated on two different Sundays:

- Catholic and Protestant Easter – April 5, 2026.

- Orthodox Easter – April 12, 2026.

Most Western Christian denominations use the Gregorian calendar, while most Orthodox churches calculate the date of Easter according to the Julian calendar, which is why the holiday often falls on different days.

Why do the dates of Easter change every year?

Easter is a moveable holiday, so its date changes every year. The holiday is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox.

However, there are different calendar systems:

- Western churches use the Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582.

- Eastern Orthodox churches follow the Julian calendar, which dates back to 45 BC.

Due to the difference in calendars, the calculations of the vernal equinox and full moon differ, which leads to different dates of celebration.

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What does Easter symbolize?

Easter is the most important holiday in Christianity. It is dedicated to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which, according to biblical tradition, occurred on the third day after the crucifixion.

According to the New Testament, Jesus was crucified on Good Friday during the time of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. When the women came to the tomb on the third day, they found it empty - this became a symbol of the resurrection.

The holiday has a deep spiritual meaning and symbolizes the victory of life over death, hope and spiritual renewal, as well as forgiveness and faith in eternal life.

In the previous article, we talked about Ramadan in 2026, the traditions and spiritual meaning of the holiday.

Which countries celebrate Catholic Easter?

Catholic Easter is celebrated in countries where Roman Catholic or Protestant traditions are widespread.

Europe

Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Poland, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta.

America

Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Ecuador, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, USA and Canada.

Other regions

Philippines, East Timor, Australia and New Zealand.

Countries where Orthodox Easter is celebrated

Orthodox traditions dominate in the following countries: Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Cyprus.

In some countries – for example, Ukraine, Germany, the USA or Canada – representatives of different Christian denominations live, so the celebration may take place on different dates.

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Lent 2026

Before Easter, Christians go through a period of spiritual preparation - Lent.

Western Lent

- Ash Wednesday - February 18, 2026;

- End of Lent - April 2, 2026;

- Easter - April 5, 2026

The fast lasts about 40 days, not including Sunday.

Read more about the meaning of Ash Wednesday, in which countries it is celebrated and what rules should be considered when traveling in this article.

Orthodox Lent

- Clean Monday - February 23, 2026;

- Easter - April 12, 2026

In the Orthodox tradition, fasting is often stricter and involves abstaining from meat, dairy products, and sometimes from oil and wine.

Lent symbolizes the 40 days of Jesus' fasting in the desert and is a time of prayer, spiritual reflection, charity, and self-discipline.

Holy Week 2026

Holy Week is dedicated to the last days of Jesus' life.

Western tradition

- Palm Sunday – March 29.

- Maundy Thursday – April 2.

- Good Friday – April 3.

- Holy Saturday – April 4.

- Easter – April 5.

Orthodox tradition

- Palm Sunday – April 5.

- Holy Thursday – April 9.

- Good Friday – April 10.

- Holy Saturday – April 11.

- Easter – April 12

In the Orthodox tradition, Holy Week services can last longer and end with a solemn midnight service of the Resurrection.

How is Easter celebrated in Catholic countries?

The celebration usually combines church rituals and family traditions.

Church services

Holy Week includes processions on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday Mass, Good Friday services, and Easter Vigils on Holy Saturday.

In countries such as Italy and Spain, large-scale religious processions with figures of saints and candles take place.

Festive food

After the end of Lent, families gather at the festive table. Common dishes include lamb, sweet Easter bread, chocolate eggs, and hot cross buns in the UK and other English-speaking countries.

Easter eggs

An important symbol of the holiday is the Easter egg, which symbolizes new life, so egg painting, house decoration, and Easter egg hunts among children are popular.

How is Easter celebrated in Orthodox countries?

Orthodox Easter traditions have a deep symbolic meaning.

Midnight service

On the night before Easter, believers gather in churches. At midnight, priests proclaim the news of the resurrection, after which people greet each other with the words “Christ is risen.”

Red eggs

In many countries, eggs are painted red, symbolizing the blood of Christ. There is a traditional game of knocking eggs, checking whose one will remain intact.

Festive dishes

After a long fast, families prepare baked lamb, sweet Easter bread (kulich or tsoureki), cheese dishes, and traditional pastries.

Easter Monday 2026

Easter Monday is the second day of Easter celebrations, which in many countries is a public holiday. In 2026, it falls on April 6.

Different countries have their own traditions for this day:

- in Great Britain - rolling eggs down hills;

- in Germany and Austria - "walk to Emmaus";

- in Poland - "wet Monday", when people pour water on each other;

- in Hungary - the tradition of pouring perfume or water.

This day is often dedicated to family gatherings, travel, picnics and outdoor recreation.

Symbols of Easter in the world

Regardless of country or denomination, there are common symbols in the celebration of Easter:

- candles - a symbol of light and resurrection

- eggs - a symbol of new life

- lamb - a symbol of Christ's sacrifice

- church bells - a sign of joy and victory of life.

In 2026, Western Christians will celebrate Easter on April 5, while Orthodox Christians will celebrate it on April 12. Despite different calendars, the meaning of the holiday remains the same - it is a day of faith, hope, and spiritual renewal.

Easter holidays are a great opportunity for many to go on a short trip or visit relatives abroad. If you are planning a trip in your own car, be sure to take care of the “Green Card” insurance policy.

“Green Card” is an international insurance policy for motorists, which is a mandatory document when traveling abroad by vehicle. The system operates in 42 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa, without this policy it is impossible to cross the border by car.

Get insurance in advance so that your Easter trip goes without unnecessary worries and unexpected expenses!

Let us remind you! Europe offers many destinations where you can relax without a car - from islands with a ban on wheeled transport to cities with developed pedestrian zones. We have already talked about seven European destinations where you should go without a car.

Photo – Freepik.com

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