Holy Thursday (also called Maundy Thursday) in 2026 falls on Thursday, April 2, 2026, the Thursday before Easter Sunday.

Quick Scoop: When is Holy Thursday?

  • Date in 2026: Thursday, April 2, 2026.
  • Position in Holy Week: It is the fifth day of Holy Week, the day before Good Friday and three days before Easter Sunday.
  • Other names: Maundy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Thursday of Mysteries.

Holy Thursday is the Christian day that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his apostles, including the institution of the Eucharist and the washing of the disciples’ feet.

A bit of context (for “when is Holy Thursday”)

  • It always occurs on the Thursday before Easter, so the exact civil calendar date changes each year.
  • In Western Christian churches that follow the Gregorian calendar, recent and upcoming dates include:
    • 2024: March 28, 2024.
* 2025: April 17, 2025.

* 2026: April 2, 2026.

* 2027: March 25, 2027.

Traditions people talk about in forums and churches

Many online discussions and parish guides highlight a few recurring themes for Holy Thursday:

  • Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, marking the start of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil).
  • Washing of feet during liturgy, recalling Jesus washing the disciples’ feet as a sign of humble service.
  • Stripping of the altar and silent adoration after Mass, emphasizing solemn reflection on the events leading to Good Friday.
  • Family or parish meals inspired by the Last Supper, sometimes with traditional foods like lamb and shared prayers.

Many Catholics and other Christians on forums describe Holy Thursday as the moment when “Holy Week suddenly feels real,” because the liturgy, foot washing, and quiet late-night prayer make the story of the Last Supper very immediate and personal.

Why it’s a “trending” search every spring

Every year, searches for “when is Holy Thursday” spike in the weeks before Easter as people plan:

  1. Church attendance (Mass of the Lord’s Supper, adoration schedules).
  2. Travel around the long Easter weekend.
  3. School and work schedules that may adjust for Good Friday or Easter Monday.

Mini FAQ

Is Holy Thursday always on a Thursday?
Yes; by definition it is always the Thursday of Holy Week, just before Good Friday.

Is Holy Thursday a public holiday?
In many countries it is mainly a religious observance rather than a civil public holiday, though some regions do treat it as a day off or have shortened workdays.

Quick TL;DR: Holy Thursday in 2026 is on April 2, 2026, and it is the solemn Christian observance of the Last Supper that begins the Easter Triduum.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.