Catholic Religious Holidays 2026

January 1

Celebrates Mary as the Mother of God, the highest title given to the Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church. A holy day of obligation on January 1, also observed as the World Day of Peace.

January 4

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

January 6

Celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, marking the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles. Also known as Three Kings Day.

January 11

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

January 18

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

January 25

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

February 1

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

February 8

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

February 15

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

February 18

The first day of Lent. Catholics receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of penance and mortality. In Catholic practice, fasting and abstinence from meat are observed.

February 22

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

March 1

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

March 8

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

March 15

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

March 22

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

March 29

Commemorates Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Mass includes a procession with blessed palm branches and the reading of the Passion.

April 2

Also called Maundy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist and priesthood. The Mass of the Lord's Supper is celebrated in the evening.

April 3

Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. In Catholic practice, fasting and abstinence are observed. The Liturgy of the Passion is celebrated but no Mass is offered.

April 4

The Church awaits the Resurrection of Christ. The Easter Vigil, celebrated after sundown, is the most important liturgy of the year, including baptisms and the lighting of the Paschal candle.

April 5

The most important feast of the Christian year, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

April 12

Celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter. Devotees pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and seek the plenary indulgence associated with this feast.

April 19

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

April 26

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

May 3

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

May 10

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

May 14

Commemorates Jesus Christ's bodily ascension into heaven 40 days after Easter. In many dioceses it is transferred to the following Sunday. A holy day of obligation in most regions.

May 17

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

May 24

Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Mary, marking the birth of the Church. Observed 50 days after Easter.

May 31

Honors the mystery of the Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — one week after Pentecost.

June 4

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Traditionally celebrated with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament through the streets.

June 7

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

June 12

Honors the physical heart of Jesus as a symbol of divine love for humanity. Observed on the Friday after the second Sunday following Pentecost.

June 14

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

June 21

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

June 24

One of only three birthdays celebrated in the Catholic liturgical calendar, honoring the forerunner of Christ who prepared the way for Jesus.

June 28

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

June 29

Honors the two principal Apostles of the Church: Saint Peter, the first Pope, and Saint Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles.

July 5

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

July 12

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

July 19

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

July 26

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

August 2

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

August 9

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

August 15

Celebrates the belief that the Virgin Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. A holy day of obligation.

August 16

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

August 23

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

August 30

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

September 6

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

September 13

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

September 20

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

September 27

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

October 4

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

October 11

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

October 18

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

October 25

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

November 1

Honors all saints, known and unknown. A holy day of obligation on which Catholics are called to attend Mass and reflect on the examples of holy men and women.

November 2

A day of prayer for the faithful departed, particularly souls in purgatory. Catholics are encouraged to visit cemeteries and pray for the dead.

November 8

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

November 15

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

November 22

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

November 29

The beginning of the liturgical year. Advent is a season of preparation and joyful anticipation for the coming of Christ at Christmas, lasting four weeks.

December 6

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

December 8

Celebrates the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin. A holy day of obligation in the United States and many other countries.

December 13

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

December 20

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.

December 25

Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. A holy day of obligation; In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected. The Christmas season continues until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

December 27

All Sundays are holy days of obligation for Catholics. In Catholic practice, attending Mass is expected.