When is Easter Sunday?
In 2026, Easter Sunday falls on Sunday, April 5, 2026. It is classified here as a Lithuanian public holiday.
History of Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday, Velykos, is the central Christian feast in a country where Roman Catholic traditions have had a lasting influence on the annual calendar. Lithuania’s Labour Code makes both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday days off according to the Western Christian tradition. The feast of the resurrection is therefore also a shared spring pause for many households.
Lithuanian Easter carries particularly vivid folk customs. Margučiai—dyed or patterned eggs—are not merely decoration: they are given, displayed and gently tapped against one another in playful contests. Families bring food baskets for blessing, then gather around a table where faith, food and the long-awaited signs of spring meet.
Lithuanian law expressly identifies Easter Sunday and Monday according to the Western Christian tradition. The calculation follows the Gregorian Western computus, placing Easter Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Sunday remains a legal holiday even though it is also the general weekly rest day, and it generates no replacement weekday. Easter Monday has separate status rather than serving as compensation. Article 112’s pre-holiday reduction can matter on the scheduled work period immediately before Easter, depending on the employee’s roster and statutory exceptions.
How Easter Sunday is observed
A nationwide public holiday on Western Easter Sunday. Churches are busy and shops, public offices and transport use holiday schedules.
Traditions of Easter Sunday
Decorated margučiai
Eggs are dyed, scratched or patterned with wax, then exchanged and tapped in friendly egg-strength contests. Participation varies among Lithuanian households, parishes, schools and municipalities.
Blessed food baskets
Many Catholic families take baskets of Easter food to church for blessing before the festive meal. Participation varies among Lithuanian households, parishes, schools and municipalities.
Family Easter tables
Relatives gather for eggs, bread, meat, cheese and seasonal dishes after church or at home. Participation varies among Lithuanian households, parishes, schools and municipalities.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Lithuanian legal and government guidance. Employer, school and local-service schedules can differ from the statutory public-holiday calendar.
History sources: Republic of Lithuania Labour Code: Article 123 public holidays, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: public holidays in Lithuania, State Labour Inspectorate: working time before public holidays.
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