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When is Good Friday 2026?
Good Friday 2026 falls on Friday, April 3, 2026.
About Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday and commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a solemn day in the Christian calendar, usually observed with church services, fasting and quiet reflection. Good Friday is a public holiday in many countries, among them the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Germany, and in most countries with a Christian heritage. In the UK it was traditionally one of the few days when most shops, especially on the high street, would close, though that has relaxed a great deal in recent decades. The "Good" in the name is thought to come from an older sense of the word meaning holy or pious, rather than the modern sense of enjoyable.
Many Catholic and Anglican churches observe the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, a meditative walk through 14 traditional scenes from the account of the crucifixion. In Germany, Good Friday, or Karfreitag, is a "silent holiday" under federal law, and public dancing is technically prohibited while certain kinds of public entertainment are restricted. Bach's St Matthew Passion and St John Passion, both traditionally performed on Good Friday, are among the most-recorded works in classical music. In many Christian traditions the day is kept as a fast. In the Catholic Church, those aged between 18 and 59 are expected to eat only one full meal and to avoid meat. The day is sometimes called "Long Friday" in older English usage and in several Scandinavian languages, a name that reflects the drawn-out, contemplative mood of the observance.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Good Friday?
The reason for the name is not certain. The most widely accepted explanation is that "good" here carries an older meaning of "holy" or "pious", so Good Friday is really "Holy Friday". A similar pattern appears in older English phrases. Some have suggested "good" is a worn-down form of "God's", but most scholars favour the "holy" explanation. In several other languages the day is instead named for sorrow or for the suffering of Christ, such as the German Karfreitag, which means "Sorrowful Friday".
Is Good Friday a public holiday?
Good Friday is a public holiday in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany and a large number of others with a Christian heritage. In those places offices, banks and many shops close, though trading rules have loosened over time. In the United States, Good Friday is not a federal holiday, but it is a state holiday in a number of states, and many schools and businesses close. The date moves each year because it depends on Easter.
What do Christians do on Good Friday?
Good Friday is the most solemn day of the Christian year, and worship reflects that. Many churches hold a service in the afternoon, often around three o'clock, the traditional hour of Jesus's death, with readings of the crucifixion account, prayers and the veneration of the cross. Catholic and Anglican churches may hold the Stations of the Cross. There is no celebration of a joyful Mass. Many Christians fast or eat simply, avoid entertainment and keep the day quietly until the celebration of Easter.
How is the date of Good Friday set?
Good Friday is the Friday immediately before Easter Sunday, so its date depends entirely on Easter. Easter is calculated as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox, which places it between March 22 and April 25 in the Western calendar. Good Friday therefore falls two days earlier, between March 20 and April 23. Eastern Orthodox churches use a different calculation, so Orthodox Good Friday often falls on a different date.
What is the difference between Good Friday and Easter?
Good Friday and Easter Sunday are two parts of the same Christian story, kept on different days. Good Friday marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus and is a day of mourning, fasting and solemn services. Easter Sunday, two days later, celebrates his resurrection and is the most joyful festival of the Christian year. The contrast is deliberate, as the sorrow of Friday gives way to the celebration of Sunday. The Saturday in between, Holy Saturday, is a quiet day of waiting.