It happens every single year. You’re looking at your calendar in March, trying to plan a long weekend or a family dinner, and you realize you have no idea when the actual holiday hits. Unlike Christmas, which is stubborn and stays put on December 25th, the date of Good Friday is a wanderer. It’s a "moveable feast," which is just a fancy church term for "it changes based on the moon."
Honestly, it’s kinda confusing if you aren't a math whiz or a medieval theologian. You’ve probably noticed it can show up as early as late March or as late as the end of April.
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When is the date of Good Friday in 2026 and beyond?
If you’re just here for the quick answer so you can book those flights or check your work schedule, here is the breakdown for the next few years. In 2026, the date of Good Friday is April 3.
Mark your calendars.
But don't get too comfortable with that early April slot. Next year, it jumps back into March. The pattern looks like this:
- 2027: March 26
- 2028: April 14
- 2029: March 30
- 2030: April 19
See the jump? That’s a three-week difference between 2029 and 2030. It feels random, but there is actually a very strict (and very old) logic behind it.
The Moon, the Equinox, and a 1,700-Year-Old Rule
So, why does the date of Good Friday keep moving around? It all goes back to the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Basically, the early church leaders wanted to make sure everyone celebrated Easter at the same time. They decided Easter should be the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox.
Since Good Friday is always the Friday before Easter, its date is tethered to that lunar cycle.
Here is the kicker: the church doesn't use the actual astronomical full moon. They use something called the Paschal Full Moon, which is calculated using fixed tables. They also "fix" the spring equinox to March 21, even though the real astronomical equinox can vary by a day or two.
It’s a blend of ancient astronomy and ecclesiastical tradition. If the full moon happens on a Sunday, Easter is pushed to the following Sunday. This prevents it from overlapping with Passover, though they still often end up quite close.
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Why Orthodox Good Friday is different
You might have noticed that your Greek or Russian Orthodox friends often celebrate on a completely different day. For instance, in 2026, while most of the Western world is observing the date of Good Friday on April 3, the Eastern Orthodox church will observe it on April 10.
Why the split?
It’s a calendar feud. Most Western churches (Catholic and Protestant) use the Gregorian calendar, which is what we use for our everyday lives. Orthodox churches often stick to the older Julian calendar for religious dates. Because the Julian calendar is currently 13 days behind the Gregorian one, their "March 21" equinox actually falls later in our year.
Is Good Friday a day off?
This is where things get annoying for employees. In the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, Good Friday is a proper bank holiday or statutory holiday. Everything shuts down. You get your fish and chips, you eat a hot cross bun, and you don’t check your emails.
In the United States, it’s a bit of a patchwork.
There is no federal holiday for Good Friday. The post office is open. The banks are mostly open. However, about 12 states actually recognize it as a state holiday. If you live in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee, or Texas, you might actually get the day off depending on your local government or school district.
Even in states where it isn't "official," many private companies choose to close or offer a floating holiday. It’s always worth checking your handbook because nobody wants to be the only person sitting in an empty office on April 3rd.
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Traditions that stick around
Even though the date moves, the vibe of the day stays the same. It’s meant to be somber. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus, so it’s not exactly a "party" atmosphere in the traditional sense.
- The Meat Rule: You’ll see a lot of people heading to the local chippy or ordering sushi. Many Christians abstain from meat (specifically "warm-blooded" meat) on this day, opting for fish instead.
- Hot Cross Buns: These are a staple in the UK and former colonies. The cross on top represents the crucifixion, and the spices inside are said to represent the spices used to embalm Jesus. Plus, they're delicious when toasted with way too much butter.
- Silence: In some European countries, like Germany, there are actually "silent day" laws. That means no public dancing or loud music is allowed out of respect for the day's solemnity.
What you should do next
Now that you know the date of Good Friday for 2026 is April 3, the best move is to check your local state or country’s holiday list immediately. If you're in the UK, expect heavy traffic on the motorways that Thursday night as the four-day weekend begins. If you're in the US, don't assume you have the day off—send a quick Slack message to HR to confirm.
If you are planning a religious observation, check your specific parish's schedule, as many hold services at 3:00 PM, which is traditionally considered the hour of the crucifixion.
Finally, if you're the one hosting the family meal that weekend, go ahead and order your fish or lamb now. The closer we get to April, the harder those reservations and grocery items are to snag.