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Religious holiday · 2026

Easter 2026

Easter is observed in 4 countries in our coverage; the date depends on the country.

Dates by country

Easter 2026 by country
CountryDateLocal name
BulgariaSun 12 AprweekendMon 13 AprВеликден
HungarySun 5 AprweekendHúsvét
MoldovaSun 12 AprweekendMon 13 AprPaștele
RomaniaSun 12 AprweekendMon 13 AprPaștele

What is Easter?

This entry covers Easter as it is listed in Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova and Romania. It is the feast of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the most important celebration of the Christian year. In the Orthodox countries it is called Pascha, with local names such as Paște in Romanian and Velikden, meaning Great Day, in Bulgarian. The celebration opens with a midnight service on the night of Holy Saturday. Its date changes each year, and the holidays around it, such as Good Friday and Easter Monday, move with it. Hungarians call it Húsvét.

At midnight worshippers take light from the priest's candle and greet one another with the Easter greeting, which in Romanian is Hristos a înviat, answered with Adevărat a înviat. Families bring baskets of food for blessing, in particular red-dyed eggs, lamb, and sweet bread, which is called cozonac in Romania and kozunak in Bulgaria. In Hungary, which follows the Western date, the following Monday is the day of the sprinkling custom, when boys and men visit women and girls and traditionally sprinkle them with water or perfume. Customs vary by region.

Why it is observed

Easter has been celebrated since the earliest centuries of Christianity, and its dating was discussed at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. The principle that it should fall on the Sunday after the spring full moon became the common rule. The Gregorian calendar reform of 1582 changed the Western calculation, while the Orthodox world kept the Julian one. In the civil calendar, Orthodox Easter currently falls between 4 April and 8 May and Western Easter between 22 March and 25 April, so the two coincide in some years, such as 2025, and differ by one to five weeks in the others.

How the date is set

Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21 March, worked out from the church's tables rather than by observing the sky. Hungary follows the Western (Gregorian) date, while Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania follow the Orthodox date, so the civil date differs between them in most years.

How it is observed

In Bulgaria and Romania the Easter weekend is a long public holiday that includes Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, and Bulgaria also lists Holy Saturday. Moldova observes the Orthodox date, and Hungary observes Easter Sunday and Easter Monday on the Western date. Banks, offices and most shops close, and travel to family homes is heavy beforehand. Pay and substitute days depend on the country and the contract. In Hungary and Romania in particular, families travel for the weekend, so trains and roads are busy before and after. Check the specific year's date for each country.

Questions

Good to know

When is Easter in 2026?

The date differs by country: Bulgaria 12 April 2026; Hungary 5 April 2026; Moldova 12 April 2026; Romania 12 April 2026.

Which countries observe Easter?

In our coverage: Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Romania. Only holidays that apply across a whole country are counted.

Why is Easter observed?

Easter has been celebrated since the earliest centuries of Christianity, and its dating was discussed at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. The principle that it should fall on the Sunday after the spring full moon became the common rule. The Gregorian calendar reform of 1582 changed the Western calculation, while the Orthodox world kept the Julian one. In the civil calendar, Orthodox Easter currently falls between 4 April and 8 May and Western Easter between 22 March and 25 April, so the two coincide in some years, such as 2025, and differ by one to five weeks in the others.

How is the date of Easter set?

Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21 March, worked out from the church's tables rather than by observing the sky. Hungary follows the Western (Gregorian) date, while Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania follow the Orthodox date, so the civil date differs between them in most years.