Easter 2026: Complete Guide to Dates, UK Holidays, School Breaks and Easter Weekend

Easter 2026 is one of the most searched spring events, and for good reason. Families plan holidays. Schools close for breaks. Churches prepare for Easter Sunday. Businesses and travellers plan around long weekends. Knowing the exact Easter 2026 date helps avoid confusion and last-minute stress.

Many people ask simple questions like when Easter is in 2026 or what date Easter Sunday is in 2026. Others want detailed answers about Easter holidays 2026 UK, school Easter holidays 2026, or Easter bank holiday 2026. This guide answers everything in one place.

This article is written to be easy to understand. Sentences are short. Words are simple. Every section gives clear value. You will find official dates, UK school holiday details, Orthodox and Catholic Easter differences, and even travel ideas for Easter weekend 2026.

If you are planning early, this guide will save you time.

What Is Easter and Why Does the Date Change Every Year

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Unlike Christmas, Easter does not have a fixed date. This is why Easter 2026 feels confusing for many people.

Easter Sunday is decided using the lunar calendar. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Because the moon cycle changes every year, Easter dates move between late March and late April.

This system explains why people ask questions like when Easter fall in 2026 or when Easter is next year, 2026. The answer depends on the moon, not a regular calendar pattern.

For Easter 2026, the date falls later in April. This affects school Easter holidays 2026, Easter bank holidays 2026, and travel prices during Easter weekend 2026.

When Is Easter 2026? The Official Easter Date Explained

So, when is Easter 2026?

Easter Sunday 2026 falls on Sunday, 5 April 2026.

This means:

• Good Friday is Friday, 3 April 2026

• Easter Saturday is Saturday, 4 April 2026

• Easter Sunday is Sunday, 5 April 2026

• Easter Monday is Monday, 6 April 2026

If you are asking what day Easter 2026 is, it is a Sunday, as always. If you want the exact date of Easter 2026, it is 5 April.

This date applies to the UK, the United States, and most Western Christian countries that follow the Gregorian calendar.

Easter 2026 Dates Table (UK and International)

Here is a simple table showing all key Easter 2026 dates.

This table helps anyone searching for Easter dates 2026 or dates for Easter 2026 without reading long explanations.

Easter 2026 UK: Bank Holidays and Public Holidays

Easter 2026 UK includes two official bank holidays. These are widely observed across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Easter Bank Holidays 2026 UK

• Good Friday: 3 April 2026

• Easter Monday: 6 April 2026

Scotland observes Good Friday as a bank holiday, but Easter Monday rules vary by council.

If you are searching for Easter bank holiday 2026 UK or when is Easter bank holiday 2026, these are the confirmed dates.

These bank holidays create a long Easter weekend 2026, making it a popular time for short trips and family gatherings.

Easter Holidays 2026 UK: England, Wales, and Scotland

Easter holidays 2026 UK depend on local councils and school authorities. While exact dates can vary slightly, most schools follow a similar pattern.

Typical Easter Holidays 2026 UK Schools

• Start: Late March or early April 2026

• End: Mid April 2026

In England, Easter school holidays 2026 usually include two weeks. Wales often follows a similar schedule. Scotland may have slightly different term dates.

If you are searching for:

• Easter holidays 2026 England

• Easter holidays 2026 Wales

• Easter holidays 2026 Scotland

Always check your local council website for exact dates. Planning early helps avoid holiday price spikes.

Easter 2026 School Holidays Explained Simply

Parents often search for Easter 2026 school holidays months in advance. School Easter holidays 2026 usually cover the Easter weekend plus one or two surrounding weeks.

Most UK schools break up before Good Friday and return after Easter Monday. This gives families time to travel or rest at home.

Searches like when are Easter holidays 2026 or Easter holidays 2026 UK schools are common for this reason. Schools publish term dates early, but they can differ by region.

If your child attends school in England, Easter half-term 2026 usually falls in early April. Wales and Scotland follow similar timelines, with small variations.

Easter Half Term 2026 and Term Dates

Easter half-term 2026 is not a separate break like February half-term. Instead, it refers to the main Easter holiday period.

People search for when Easter half-term 2026 is because they want to align work leave with school time off. Easter term dates 2026 often look like this:

• Spring term ends in late March or early April

• The summer term starts mid-April

Always confirm with your school to avoid confusion.

Easter Weekend 2026: What It Means for Travel and Work

Easter weekend 2026 runs from Friday, 3 April to Monday, 6 April. This four-day break is one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Hotels fill fast. Flights cost more. Roads can be crowded. If you are planning Easter holidays 2026 UK or Easter break 2026 UK, booking early is important.

Many people take extra days off before or after Easter Monday. This creates longer Easter holidays in 2026 without using too much annual leave.

Orthodox Easter 2026 and Greek Easter Explained

Orthodox Easter 2026 does not always match Western Easter. Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar, which often shifts Easter later.

In 2026, Orthodox Easter falls on Sunday, 12 April 2026.

This includes:

• Greek Easter 2026

• Easter 2026 Orthodox

• Orthodox Easter 2026

Catholic Easter 2026 and Protestant Easter 2026 fall on 5 April. Orthodox Easter comes one week later.

If you are planning Easter 2026 Greece travel, this difference matters. Greek Easter is widely celebrated with festivals, food, and family gatherings.

Catholic Easter 2026 vs Orthodox Easter 2026

Catholic Easter 2026 follows the Gregorian calendar. Orthodox Easter 2026 follows the Julian calendar.

Here is a simple comparison:

This explains why searches like Easter 2026 orthodox and catholic are common every year.

Easter 2026 Travel Ideas and Holiday Planning

Easter 2026 holidays are popular for short breaks. Families look for warm destinations. Couples book city trips. Cruise searches like cruises Easter 2026 increase sharply.

Popular options include:

• UK countryside breaks

• Easter 2026 Greece trips

• City breaks in Europe

• Family resorts

Because the April 2026 Easter falls mid-spring, the weather is often mild and pleasant.

Easter 2026 Quick Facts Summary

• Easter Sunday 2026 date: 5 April

• Easter Monday 2026: 6 April

• Easter bank holidays 2026 UK: 3 and 6 April

• Orthodox Easter 2026: 12 April

• Easter holidays UK 2026: Early to mid April

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FAQs About Easter 2026

What date is Easter 2026?

Easter Sunday 2026 falls on 5 April 2026.

When is Easter 2026 UK?

Easter 2026 in the UK is Sunday, 5 April, with bank holidays on 3 and 6 April.

What day is Easter Sunday 2026?

Easter Sunday 2026 is on a Sunday, as always.

When are Easter school holidays 2026 UK?

Most UK schools break in early April 2026, but dates vary by region.

When is Orthodox Easter 2026?

Orthodox Easter 2026 falls on Sunday, 12 April.

Is Easter 2026 in April?

Yes, Easter 2026 takes place in April.

Final Thoughts on Easter 2026

Easter 2026 is an important date for families, schools, travellers, and businesses. With Easter Sunday 2026 falling on 5 April, planning early helps avoid stress and higher costs.