Whit Monday 2026
Whit Monday 2026 falls on Monday, May 25, 2026.
What is Whit Monday?
Whit Monday falls the day after Pentecost Sunday, which is itself calculated as 50 days after Easter Sunday — placing Whit Monday on May 25, 2026. The name comes from "White Monday," a reference to the white baptismal robes traditionally worn around Pentecost.
Where the tradition comes from
Pentecost marks the Christian commemoration of the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles, and its name comes from the Greek word for "fiftieth," referencing its position 50 days after Easter. Whit Monday's status as a public holiday — rather than Pentecost Sunday itself, which falls on an already-non-working Sunday — reflects its role as a practical extension of the long weekend in the countries that observe it, known locally as Pfingstmontag in Germany and Lundi de Pentecôte in France.
Who observes Whit Monday in 2026
Whit Monday is a public holiday in Germany and France, among other countries, closing government offices, banks, and many businesses.
Common questions
What day is Whit Monday 2026?
Monday, May 25, 2026.
Why is Whit Monday a holiday but not Pentecost Sunday itself?
Pentecost always falls on a Sunday, which is already a non-working day in most of the countries that observe Whit Monday, so the following Monday became the practical day off instead.
Is Whit Monday connected to Ascension Day?
Both are calculated from Easter Sunday and fall within the same religious season, but they're separate observances — Ascension Day is 40 days after Easter, Whit Monday is 50.