The 2026 church calendar
Every date your church will want to post about in 2026, with the day of the week and when to start promoting the big ones.
In 2026, Easter is Sunday, April 5. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18; Pentecost is Sunday, May 24; Advent begins Sunday, November 29; and Christmas Eve is a Thursday.
- Ash Wednesday
- Wed, Feb 18Lent begins
- Easter Sunday
- Sun, Apr 5Start inviting Sun, Mar 8
- Pentecost
- Sun, May 24Fifty days after Easter
- Advent begins
- Sun, Nov 29Christmas Eve is a Thursday
2026 at a glance
Church yearUS calendar and ministryClock changes
Every date, and when to start
The big days need invitations weeks ahead. Filter the list, add it all to your calendar, or print it.
| Date | Observance | Type | Start promoting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, January 1 | New Year's DayA fresh start: vision for the year, a verse for the year, invitations to January series. | US calendar | |
| Tuesday, January 6 | EpiphanyThe wise men and the light for the nations. | Church year | |
| Sunday, January 11 | Baptism of the LordA natural Sunday to share baptism stories or announce a baptism class. | Church year | |
| Monday, January 19 | Martin Luther King Jr. DayService projects, unity and justice. | US calendar | |
| Saturday, February 14 | Valentine's DayMarriage, friendship and community content. | US calendar | |
| Sunday, February 15 | Transfiguration SundayThe last Sunday before Lent. | Church year | |
| Wednesday, February 18 | Ash WednesdayLent begins. Share service times a week ahead. | Church year | Wed, Feb 11 |
| Sunday, March 8 | Clocks spring forwardRemind people on Saturday: service is an hour “earlier” tomorrow. | Reminder | |
| Sunday, March 29 | Palm SundayHoly Week begins. Post every Holy Week service. | Church year | |
| Thursday, April 2 | Maundy ThursdayThe Last Supper and communion. | Church year | |
| Friday, April 3 | Good FridayA quieter, reflective post; service times. | Church year | |
| Sunday, April 5 | Easter SundayThe biggest visitor Sunday of the year. Start inviting four weeks ahead. | Church year | Sun, Mar 8 |
| Thursday, May 7 | National Day of Prayer (US)Invite people to pray; share a prayer gathering. | US calendar | Thu, Apr 30 |
| Sunday, May 10 | Mother's Day (US)Honor mothers, and be gentle with those for whom the day is hard. | US calendar | Sun, Apr 26 |
| Thursday, May 14 | Ascension DayForty days after Easter. | Church year | |
| Sunday, May 24 | PentecostThe birthday of the church. | Church year | Sun, May 17 |
| Monday, May 25 | Memorial Day (US)Remembering those who died in service. | US calendar | |
| Sunday, May 31 | Trinity SundayThe Sunday after Pentecost. | Church year | |
| June | VBS and summer ministry seasonRegistration posts from early May; photos (with permission) during the week. | Ministry | |
| Sunday, June 21 | Father's Day (US)Honor fathers and father figures. | US calendar | Sun, Jun 14 |
| Saturday, July 4 | Independence Day (US)Freedom, gratitude and prayer for the nation. | US calendar | |
| Mid-August | Back to school and fall kickoffBackpack blessings, fall groups and kids ministry. | Ministry | |
| Monday, September 7 | Labor Day (US)Faith and work; fall schedules start. | US calendar | |
| Sunday, September 13 | Grandparents Day (US)Honor grandparents; invite them to share wisdom. | US calendar | |
| All of October | Pastor Appreciation MonthInvite your church to thank your pastors all month. | Ministry | |
| Sunday, October 4 | World Communion SundayOne church around the world at one table. | Church year | Sun, Sep 27 |
| Saturday, October 31 | Reformation DayAlso Halloween: trunk-or-treat and fall festivals. | Church year | |
| Sunday, November 1 | All Saints' DayRemembering the faithful who have died. | Church year | |
| Sunday, November 1 | Clocks fall backRemind people on Saturday: an extra hour of sleep. | Reminder | |
| Wednesday, November 11 | Veterans Day (US)Thank the veterans in your congregation. | US calendar | |
| Sunday, November 22 | Christ the King SundayThe last Sunday of the church year. | Church year | |
| Thursday, November 26 | Thanksgiving (US)Gratitude stories; food drives and serving. | US calendar | Thu, Nov 19 |
| Sunday, November 29 | First Sunday of AdventAdvent begins: hope. | Church year | Sun, Nov 15 |
| Tuesday, December 1 | Giving TuesdayYear-end giving begins. | Ministry | |
| Sunday, December 6 | Second Sunday of AdventPeace. | Church year | |
| Sunday, December 13 | Third Sunday of AdventJoy. | Church year | |
| Sunday, December 20 | Fourth Sunday of AdventLove. | Church year | |
| Thursday, December 24 | Christmas EveSecond only to Easter for visitors. Start inviting three weeks ahead. | Church year | Sat, Dec 5 |
| Friday, December 25 | Christmas DayMerry Christmas. | Church year | |
| Thursday, December 31 | Year-end giving deadlineLast day for tax-deductible gifts this year. | Ministry |
Questions about 2026
When is Easter 2026?
Easter is Sunday, April 5, 2026. Good Friday is Friday, April 3 and Palm Sunday is Sunday, March 29.
When does Lent start in 2026?
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, and runs until Easter on Sunday, April 5.
When is Pentecost 2026?
Pentecost is Sunday, May 24, 2026, fifty days after Easter. Ascension Day is Thursday, May 14.
When does Advent start in 2026?
Advent begins on Sunday, November 29, 2026. The other Advent Sundays are Sunday, December 6, Sunday, December 13 and Sunday, December 20.
What day of the week is Christmas Eve 2026?
Christmas Eve 2026 is a Thursday (Thursday, December 24), and Christmas Day is Friday, December 25.
When should a church start promoting Easter 2026?
About four weeks ahead: post a save-the-date around Sunday, March 8, ask members to invite a friend two weeks before, and share what to expect in Holy Week.
When is Mother's Day 2026?
Mother's Day in the US is Sunday, May 10, 2026, and Father's Day is Sunday, June 21.
Other years
2027Easter Sun, Mar 282028Easter Sun, Apr 162029Easter Sun, Apr 12030Easter Sun, Apr 21
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