When Does Advent Start in 2026 and How Long Does It Last
Short answer
Advent starts on Sunday, November 29, 2026, and ends on Thursday, December 24, 2026. The season runs for 26 days across four Sundays in the Western Christian calendar. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and concludes on Christmas Eve.
Advent starts on Sunday, November 29, 2026. In 2026, Christmas Day falls on a Friday, which places the start of the liturgical season on the final Sunday of November. Western Christian tradition calculates Advent as the four Sundays leading up to the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ.
Because Advent always begins on a Sunday and ends on Christmas Eve, its length changes each year. In 2026, the season spans 26 days from the first Sunday through Christmas Eve. Advent marks both the start of the Western liturgical church year and a spiritual period of active waiting for the arrival of the Lord.
The Four Sunday Dates of Advent in 2026
The four Sundays of Advent in 2026 fall on November 29, December 6, December 13, and December 20. The first Sunday of Advent 2026 arrives on November 29. This service initiates the new Christian liturgical year for Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and many Protestant congregations. The second Sunday arrives on December 6.
The third Sunday follows on December 13, while the fourth Sunday arrives on December 20, just four days before Christmas Eve. Advent officially concludes on Thursday, December 24, 2026. That evening marks Christmas Eve.
Why the Start Date Moves Each Year
Advent begins on a floating date because the Western church anchors the season to the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. Christmas Day is always December 25, but that date lands on a different day of the week every year. In 2026, December 25 is a Friday.
To find the start of Advent, count backward four Sundays from Christmas Day. In 2026, the Sunday directly before Christmas is December 20. Next comes December 13, then December 6, then November 29, the fourth Sunday back.
This rule decides how long Advent is. Because Christmas falls on a Friday in 2026, counting both the opening Sunday on November 29 and Christmas Eve on December 24 gives a season of exactly 26 days.
The Meaning and Purpose of the Season
The word Advent comes from the Latin noun adventus, which translates directly as coming or arrival. The season prepares for the coming of Christ. Believers look back to the first coming of Jesus in Bethlehem.
Scripture passages from Isaiah and Luke remember his first coming. In Isaiah 9:6, the prophet foretold a child born to bear government and rule as the Prince of Peace. Luke 1:30 to 31 records the angel announcing to Mary that she would conceive and bring forth a son named Jesus.
Advent also looks forward to the promised second coming of Christ. Romans 13:11 to 12 instructs believers to awake out of sleep because salvation draws near and the day is at hand.
Wreath Colors and Gaudete Sunday in 2026
The Advent wreath holds four candles, one for each Sunday. Churches often use three purple or violet candles alongside one rose candle. The rose candle belongs to the third Sunday of Advent, which is known as Gaudete Sunday.
In 2026, Gaudete Sunday occurs on December 13. The title comes from the Latin word gaudete, meaning rejoice. Many church traditions assign specific weekly themes to the candles.
A common sequence names the four weeks as hope, peace, joy, and love, though some denominations organize the themes differently. Churches sometimes light a white center candle on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Advent Calendars and the Orthodox Nativity Fast
Advent calendars that count down to Christmas operate on a different schedule than the church liturgical season. They commonly begin on December 1. The church liturgical season begins on Sunday, November 29, which is two days before the standard December 1 calendar starts. In 2026, the calendar starts before the Advent Sunday count reaches week two.
Eastern Orthodox churches observe a different pre-Christmas period called the Nativity Fast. This fast begins on November 15 for Orthodox churches following the Revised Julian and Gregorian calendars, while communities on the older Julian calendar observe different calendar dates. It is not called Advent and is not the same season.
Observing Advent 2026 with Daily Prayer
Start by gathering your household around a simple wreath on Sunday, November 29, 2026. Light the first candle, and pray for renewed hope.
Let the gradual lighting of candles mirror your spiritual posture. Dedicate time each morning to meditate on the promise of the incarnation.
Key Bible verses
- For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6
- And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. — Luke 1:30-31
- And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: — Romans 13:11-12
Frequently asked questions
When does Advent start in 2026?
Advent starts on Sunday, November 29, 2026. This date is the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and marks the start of the Western Christian liturgical year.
When does Advent end in 2026?
Advent ends on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2026.
What are the dates of the four Sundays of Advent 2026?
The four Sundays of Advent in 2026 are November 29, December 6, December 13, and December 20.
When is Gaudete Sunday in 2026?
Gaudete Sunday takes place on December 13, 2026. It is the third Sunday of Advent and is traditionally marked by lighting a rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath.
Why does Advent start on a different date each year?
Advent starts on a different date because it is defined as the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. Because Advent always begins on a Sunday and ends on Christmas Eve, its length changes each year.
Is the Orthodox Nativity Fast the same as Advent?
The Orthodox Nativity Fast is not the same as Advent. Eastern Orthodox churches observe a separate Nativity Fast that begins on November 15 on the Revised Julian and Gregorian calendars.