when does easter start

Easter doesn’t “start” on one fixed date; the main day is Easter Sunday, which falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. In 2026, Easter Sunday is April 5, and Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday on March 29.

Quick Scoop

If you mean the Easter holiday itself , it begins on Easter Sunday. For the Christian observance leading up to it, Holy Week starts the Sunday before Easter.

Key dates

Event| 2026 date
---|---
Palm Sunday| March 29, 2026 7
Good Friday| April 3, 2026 7
Easter Sunday| April 5, 2026 72

How the date is set

Easter is a moveable feast, so its date changes every year. The rule used in Western Christianity is the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon after the spring equinox.

TL;DR: Easter starts on Easter Sunday, and in 2026 that is April 5.