Holy Week 2026: Exact Dates and an Extended Weekend in Argentina

Holy Week 2026 is approaching, and it is essential to mark the key dates of this important religious celebration on your calendar. It is a central period for the Catholic Church, commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Argentina, this holiday holds even greater significance because it creates a long weekend that many people take advantage of to travel or rest with family.

When does Holy Week 2026 fall, and why do the dates vary?

Holy Week 2026 will run from Sunday, March 29, to Sunday, April 5. But why isn’t the date fixed each year? This occurs because, according to the Council of Nicaea held in 325 AD, this holiday begins on the first Sunday after the first full moon that appears after the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere. For this reason, the date can range from March 22 to April 25. It’s a calculation that combines the lunar and solar calendars, which explains why Christians never celebrate Easter on the same date two years in a row.

Four guaranteed days off in Argentina

Argentinians will enjoy an extended break from April 2 to April 5, 2026. This is because Holy Thursday is considered a non-working day (at the discretion of employers whether employees attend), while Good Friday is a mandatory national holiday. What makes 2026 special is that Holy Thursday coincides with April 2, a date on which Argentina commemorates Veterans and Fallen Soldiers Day in the Falklands War, which has a status of a day off. This overlap guarantees a four-day consecutive break, as established by Law 27.399 on national holidays. However, the official holiday calendar for 2026 is still awaiting confirmation from the National Government.

Complete schedule of Holy Week 2026

• Palm Sunday: March 29
• Holy Monday: March 30
• Holy Tuesday: March 31
• Holy Wednesday: April 1
• Holy Thursday: April 2 (special holiday due to Falklands)
• Good Friday: April 3 (national holiday)
• Holy Saturday: April 4
• Resurrection Sunday: April 5

The religious significance of each day of Holy Week

The experience of Holy Week 2026 in the Catholic faith involves rituals and profound memories dating back centuries. Each day has a particular meaning within Catholicism.

Palm Sunday begins the celebration recalling Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, when a crowd acclaimed him as “the Son of God” or “the Messiah” while offering olive branches. The faithful usually bring these branches to church to be blessed and keep them throughout the year.

Holy Monday, known as “Monday of Authority,” commemorates when Jesus demonstrated his power over all creation. It also recalls the death of the barren fig tree, symbol of judgment that will fall on those who do not produce fruits of repentance.

Holy Tuesday, called “Tuesday of Controversy,” marks the start of the Easter Triduum—the three most significant days of the liturgical year—and evokes the moments when Jesus faced his accusers and judges who would condemn him.

Holy Wednesday remembers Judas’ betrayal, when he handed Jesus over to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious court, in exchange for thirty coins. From this moment, the plan to execute Jesus begins, which is why many call it “Day of Betrayal” or “the first day of mourning for the Church.”

Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his apostles. During this farewell gathering, Jesus instituted the Eucharist by blessing the bread and wine, symbols of his body and blood. After dinner, he went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray before his arrest.

Good Friday represents one of the most significant dates: it recalls the Passion of Christ and his crucifixion. During the liturgy, the Way of the Cross is performed, a procession that follows “the path of the cross,” reenacting Jesus’ final steps.

Holy Saturday, also called Holy Saturday, is dedicated especially to the Virgin Mary, who suffered the loss of her son. It is a day of waiting and hope, based on Jesus’ promise: “On the third day I will rise from the dead.” The liturgy emphasizes: “It is a day to deepen. To contemplate. The altar is stripped. The tabernacle, open and empty,” according to ACI Prensa.

Finally, Resurrection Sunday or Easter is the most important celebration in Christianity, commemorating the moment Jesus defeated death. Evidence of this event includes the empty tomb and Jesus’ multiple appearances to his apostles.

Preparation: Lent

Before Holy Week 2026 arrives, Catholics go through Lent, a period of spiritual preparation that begins on Ash Wednesday and precedes Carnival Monday and Tuesday. This liturgical stage, lasting forty days, invites believers to reflect and prepare to remember Jesus’ death and resurrection by practicing fasting, penance, and prayer.

Traditions and customs of Holy Week

Holy Week 2026 will bring families together around traditions that have lasted for centuries. Fasting and abstinence from meat on certain days, attending special masses, religious processions, and family gatherings for Easter form the framework of celebration. Many will take advantage of the extended weekend to travel, while others will stay in their communities participating in religious acts and shared convivencias.