When Is Easter 2026?
Easter 2026 falls on Sunday, April 5. Discover all you need to know about Easter 2026 with answers to your top questions surrounding the most important Catholic feast on the calendar.
According to the Revised Common Lectionary, the readings are in Year C on April 5, 2026.
What Is Easter?
The annual celebration of Easter holds profound significance for Catholics as it commemorates Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil. It celebrates once again the paschal sacrifice of Calvary, which culminated in the everlasting glory in the heavenly sanctuary.
In addition, catechumens (converts under instruction) transition from death to new life in Christ through the sacrament of baptism, “the gateway to the Christian life,” while they and others are welcomed into full communion with the Church, partaking as one Christ’s body and blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist (1 Cor. 10:14–22; see John 6:51–58).
Easter in the Catholic faith offers renewed hope for Catholics and those receiving the sacrament of baptism, aligning with Easter’s theme of resurrection and spiritual rebirth. Converts are baptized and welcomed into the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil mass.
Free eBook Download | Salvation: Is Baptism Really Necessary?
Is the Easter Bunny Pagan?
Ultimately, no. The Easter Bunny is not pagan. Catholics often are criticized for practices or traditions with seemingly pagan roots. The Easter Bunny and Easter often come under scrutiny for this reason by many Fundamentalists. There is no evidence that rabbits were ever associated with the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar or with the supposed Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre. The only ancient reference to Eostre comes from the 8th-century monk St. Bede, and he says nothing about bunnies. The actual origins of the Easter Bunny trace back to German Lutherans, who developed the “Easter Hare” as a kind of springtime Santa that rewarded children.
What About Colored Eggs and Easter Egg Hunts?
Easter eggs and coloring them are rooted in Christian practice, contrary to popular belief. Since eggs were once forbidden during Lent, they became a festive food for Easter. They were often dyed red to symbolize joy and Christ’s resurrection. The tradition spread through both Western and Eastern churches, later expanding into other traditions like “egg-gifting,” “egg-picking,” and “egg-rolling.” Additionally, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia,
“The egg is the emblem of the germinating life of early spring.”
Why Celebrate Easter?
Christians around the world gather on Easter to celebrate Jesus Christ’s triumph over sin and death. We commemorate his Resurrection, the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the source of our hope. Known as the “solemnity of solemnities,” Easter proclaims the victory of Christ, who opened the way to eternal life with him.
Even still, some Fundamentalists argue that Easter is a pagan holiday. This is not true.
All things from Ash Wednesday to Easter
What is Lent? When does Lent End? And, why can’t I eat meat on Fridays during Lent? How is Holy Week observed, and what are the various days and services included in this sacred period? Get all the information in the Catholic Answers Guide to Lent.
What Are Moveable Feasts?
Moveable feasts are days in the Church’s liturgical calendar that don’t stick to a fixed date, unlike Christmas. Instead, they shift each year based on when Easter falls. The reason: Easter follows the Jewish lunar-calendar method and is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox, falling anywhere between March 22 and April 25. Since Easter sets the stage, all the other related celebrations, like Ash Wednesday, the Ascension of our Lord, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, and others, shift accordingly.
When Is Orthodox Easter?
Orthodox Easter in 2026 falls on Sunday, April 12. The dispute on when to celebrate Easter sadly continues to divide the Catholic Church and Orthodox Christians. Learn more about why Eastern Orthodox Easter falls on a different day.
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