When is Easter 2026? See how many days until Lent, Good Friday

Hippity hoppin’, Easter’s on its way — and with it comes the excitement of the Easter Bunny, who’s ready to spread joy and candy-filled surprises!

Families everywhere are gearing up for egg hunts, where children race to find hidden treasures in their backyards and parks, all while dreaming of chocolate bunnies and colorful eggs.

As spring blooms, the festive spirit of Easter fills the air, combining whimsical traditions with heartfelt celebrations. From decorating eggs to enjoying festive feasts, this holiday is a delightful mix of fun and meaning.

In addition to the fun and candy, Easter is also a time of reflection for many, with traditions that commemorate the significance of the holiday for Christians around the world.

Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox. This year, the spring equinox falls on Thursday, March 20.

Easter is Sunday, April 5.

Easter is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, marked by a season of religious observances, traditions and celebrations leading up to the day — and observed by millions worldwide.

For Christians, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a fundamental belief in Christianity. According to Christian teachings, Jesus was crucified, died and was buried, and on the third day — Easter Sunday — he rose from the dead.

Marking the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday fell on Feb. 17 this year.

Lent, a 40-day period of prayer and fasting in Christian religions, begins on Wednesday, Feb. 18 and ends on Thursday, April 2, also known as Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday.

Palm Sunday is a Christian holiday that falls the Sunday before Easter, marking the beginning of Holy Week, which leads up to Easter. This year, it is Sunday, March 29.

Good Friday is celebrated on the Friday before Easter. This year it is observed on Friday, April 3.

Though many don’t traditionally associate Carnival Season with Easter, the months-long celebration actually begins on Carnival season officially begins on Epiphany, Jan. 6 and leads up to Ash Wednesday.

It’s often viewed as a time for celebration and revelry and the final burst of excitement before the solemn observances of the Easter season.

The origins of Carnival trace back to ancient times, rooted in pagan festivals that celebrated the arrival of spring. In the 4th century, these festivals were adapted by Christians and incorporated into the liturgical calendar as a period of indulgence before the penitential observance of Lent.

Back then, people celebrated “Boeuf Gras,” meaning “fatted calf,” according to USA TODAY. It’s a time for people to enjoy things such as fatty foods, sugar, alcohol and other items considered “decadent.” They’d give themselves until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, or what is often called Fat Tuesday, to indulge.

The tradition then made its way through the colonies, and around 1699, French Canadians arrived in what is now Mobile, Alabama, according to USA TODAY.

Mardi Gras’ origins can be traced back to France and Italy, but today, New Orleans is the largest and most famous place for the event.