When does Easter officially end?

EWTN ^ | April 7, 2026 | Katie Yoder

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Easter lasts for a total of 50 days, from Easter Sunday until the feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Christ.

This year, 2026, Easter was on April 5 and runs until Pentecost Sunday, May 24.

Easter Sunday is the greatest Sunday of the year, and it marks the start of the “Easter octave,” or the eight days that stretch from the first to the second Sunday of Easter (also now known as Divine Mercy Sunday). The Church celebrates each of these eight days as solemnities of the Lord — a direct extension of Easter Sunday.

The entire Easter season lasts 50 days and includes the solemnity of the Ascension of Christ, which falls on the 40th day of Easter, which this year is celebrated on either Thursday, May 14, or Sunday, May 17, depending on where you live, and ends with Pentecost, which is derived from the Greek word “pentecoste,” meaning “50th.”

“The 50 days from the Sunday of the Resurrection to Pentecost Sunday are celebrated in joy and exultation ..."

The USCCB calls Easter “the most important of all liturgical times.”

[CondoleezzaProtege]

1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach

2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.

3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

~ Acts 1:1-5

[CondoleezzaProtege]

There are also 12 days of Christmas like the song....

Ending on January 5th (Twelfth Night / Night of the Magi/ Epiphany) ...

[aquila48]

“The Church celebrates each of these eight days as solemnities of the Lord”

What about Easter bunnies, colored eggs, and Easter egg hunts? Uh?

[Sacajaweau]

I’m 82...remember 40 days...never heard of 50...

[john316]

It doesn’t, every night is Christmas Eve, every morning is Easter Sunday, and everyday is Good Friday!

[pburgh01]

Well what did the ancient pagan Romans do... that’s who the Catholic Chruch takes it cues from.

[Az Joe]

The 50 days of Easter, or Eastertide, is a joyous liturgical season lasting from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. Known as the “Great Fifty Days,” this period celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, the ascension, and the descent of the Holy Spirit. It is a time for continued celebration, marked by white/gold colors, daily “Alleluias,” and the burning of the Paschal candle

[Getready]

Pentecost is derived from the Greek word...it means “50”...
Celebrating 50 days after the Passover. Day of Pentecost....etc...

Oh, and by the way...the celebration and meaning of the resurrection of Christ isn’t limited to a day or season. It is meant for an endless period of time.

[Honorary Serb]

The Orthodox octave of Pascha begins one week later in 2025!

Our Holy Week is right now!

[BipolarBob]

Memory fades with age. The Bible states 50 days.

[lightman]

Orthodox Christians celebrate the 40 days of Paschatide (in many jurisdictions) by eating any and all foods on every day of the week.

In the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, however, the normal Wednesday and Friday Fasts resume during Thomas Week (second week of Pascha).

Some jurisdictions—like the Greek—keep the doors of the Iconstatis open (and no curtain drawn across the Royal Gate) for the entire 40 days.

[Honorary Serb]

.....In the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, however, the normal Wednesday and Friday Fasts resume during Thomas Week (second week of Pascha).....

Also true for the Orthodox Church in America, the Serbian and Russian Orthodox Churches, etc.

Only the Antiochian Orthodox Church is fast-free for the entire Pascha season. They may be right, but I have to obey my Bishops!

[lightman]

Obedience!

A very hard teacher.