What Is Holy Week? Rituals, Interfaith Insights, and 2026 Dates

Article

Everyday Pluralism

What Is Holy Week? Rituals, Interfaith Insights, and 2026 Dates

March 20, 2026

PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: Rev. John Shaver of Community United Methodist Church of Pacific Palisades, which was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, carries a cross during a Good Friday Cross Walk which departed from the remains of the church on April 18, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. The procession passed various destroyed homes and stopped at the lot of Rev. Shaver's former home which was also destroyed in the fire. Cross Walks, or Stations of the Cross, are performed on Good Friday around the world ahead of Easter Sunday and depict Jesus Christ's last day on Earth. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Holy Week is one of the most sacred weeks of the year for millions of Christians around the world, as it commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the final days of his life.

Also known as The Passion of Jesus Christ, Holy Week contains several Christian holidays that occur in the month of April this year, and it is considered the final week of Lent for Christians who observe. It begins with Christ’s return to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and ends with his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Following Jesus’ journey to the cross and victory over death, Holy Week is a story of triumph, betrayal, suffering, sacrifice, forgiveness, and newness of life.

BERWICK-UPON-TWEED, ENGLAND - MARCH 30: Pilgrims celebrate Easter by crossing over the tidal causeway carrying wooden crosses on the final leg of their annual pilgrimage to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne on March 30, 2018 in Berwick-upon-Tweed, England. Around 100 people of all ages and backgrounds celebrated Easter by crossing at low tide during the pilgrimage which ends on the island. The event is organised by Northern Cross and sees pilgrims walking between 70 to 120 miles in the week leading up to the Good Friday crossing. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

When is Holy Week 2026?

For some Christians, Holy Week begins on March 29 with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday on April 5.

For Orthodox Christians, who follow a different calendar, Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on April 6, and Easter, or Pascha, is celebrated on Sunday, April 12.

Read: Don’t They Know It Is Easter? 

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday commemorates the Son of God’s arrival in Jerusalem, when he rode into the city on a donkey and was greeted by crowds waving palm branches and shouting “hosanna,” a Hebrew declaration of praise. Today, many Christians incorporate processions with palm branches into their worship on this day.  

Read: Holy Week Starts Off with Palms – but Palm Sunday’s Donkey is Just as Important to the Story

Following Palm Sunday, some liturgical denominations recognize Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, or Fig Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday, or Spy Wednesday. These days often include recounting the stories of Jesus cursing of a fig tree and the cleansing of the temple, as well as the betrayal of Jesus by his disciple Judas.

Maundy Thursday

For Christians, Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday  —  stemming from the Latin for “mandate” or “command”  —  commemorates the last Passover supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his death on the cross and resurrection. During this meal, Jesus offered a new commandment, that his followers would love one another as he has loved them. He also predicted his betrayal by disciple Judas and denial of disciple Peter. Holy Thursday marks the first evening of the Triduum, the three-day observance of the last days of Jesus’ life and his resurrection in Christian churches. Many Christians observe Maundy Thursday with rituals of the final communion before Easter, foot washing, the stripping of the altar, and the veiling of crosses and crucifixes in a sanctuary.

Read: Holy Thursday is a Christian Passover, When We Remember Who We Are

Good Friday

Christians observe Good Friday in commemoration of Jesus’ crucifixion. This sad day is often marked with church services recounting the final events of Christ’s life and the suffering he endured before his death. Many walk through the Stations of the Cross, a devotion and meditation on the scenes of Christ’s journey to the cross, on this day. Services are solemn and can include traditions of Tenebrae (extinguishing of candles), adoration of the cross, and prayerful reflection. Some Christians, including Catholics, fast on Holy Friday.

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday is another solemn day of Holy Week, which marks Jesus’ burial and the anticipation of his resurrection. In some traditions, Easter Vigil services are held after sundown on Holy Saturday. These longer services often include liturgical elements of processions, candle lighting, scripture readings, baptisms, confirmations, and the recounting of the resurrection story.

Easter

The final day in the Triduum, Easter, is the culmination of Holy Week when Christians celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the grave on the third day after his death. This day follows the story of an angel’s news that Christ has risen from the dead, and his appearance to followers Mary Magdelene and his disciples after his death on the cross. The central festival of the Christian faith, this day is celebrated with sunrise services, family meals, parades, and processions. During the Easter season, which lasts for 50 days after Easter day, Christians exchange the greeting “Christ is Risen; He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!”

Read: Many Shades of Hope: Finding Inspiration in Easter Eggs 

Easter Reflections from Interfaith America’s Staff

Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival Flaunts NYC Creative Spirit, Religious Coexistence

What Religious Holidays are Happening this Spring?

Interfaith America Magazine seeks contributions that present a wide range of experiences and perspectives from a diverse set of worldviews on the opportunities and challenges of American pluralism. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Interfaith America, its board of directors, or its employees.