Christian Holiday
What is Ascension Day?
Forty days after Easter — commemorates the ascension of Jesus to heaven.
In other languages: Ascensiónخميس الصعود耶稣升天节AscensionChristi HimmelfahrtAscensão昇天祭Вознесение Господнеस्वर्गारोहण दिवस
35
Countries
May 14
2026
May 6
2027
History & Origins
Ascension Day commemorates the Christian belief that Jesus Christ ascended bodily into heaven forty days after his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Because Easter is a moveable feast, Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday between 30 April and 3 June. It has been observed since the 4th century and is mentioned in the writings of Eusebius of Caesarea.
The holiday is rooted in the Acts of the Apostles, which describes Jesus leading his disciples to a hill near Bethany, blessing them, and then rising into heaven. Ascension Thursday marks the end of the Easter season in the Catholic and many Protestant traditions.
Ascension Day is a public holiday in a number of predominantly Christian countries, particularly in continental Europe — including Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Nordic countries. In Germany it is also informally observed as Father's Day (Vatertag), a tradition that predates the modern secular Father's Day.
When is Ascension Day?
Which countries observe Ascension Day?
35 countries- Indonesia01/16
- Germany05/14
- France05/14
- Netherlands05/14
- Belgium05/14
- Switzerland05/14
- Austria05/14
- Sweden05/14
- Norway05/14
- Denmark05/14
- Finland05/14
- Luxembourg05/14
- Iceland05/14
- Liechtenstein05/14
- Monaco05/14
- Venezuela05/14
- Haiti05/14
- Suriname05/14
- Vanuatu05/14
- Burkina Faso05/14
- Burundi05/14
- Benin05/14
- Botswana05/14
- Central African Republic05/14
- Republic of Congo05/14
- Cote d'Ivoire05/14
- Cameroon05/14
- Gabon05/14
- Lesotho05/14
- Madagascar05/14
- Namibia05/14
- Senegal05/14
- Eswatini05/14
- Togo05/14
- Colombia05/18
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Ascension Day?
- Ascension Day commemorates the Christian belief that Jesus Christ ascended bodily into heaven forty days after his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Because Easter is a moveable feast, Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday between 30 April and 3 June. It has been observed since the 4th century and is mentioned in the writings of Eusebius of Caesarea.
- When is Ascension Day in 2026?
- Ascension Day falls on Thursday, May 14, 2026 in most countries that observe it.
- When is Ascension Day in 2027?
- Ascension Day falls on Thursday, May 6, 2027 in most countries that observe it.
- How many countries observe Ascension Day?
- Ascension Day is observed as a public holiday in 35 countries, including Indonesia, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium.
- Is Ascension Day a public holiday?
- Yes — Ascension Day is recognised as a public holiday in 35 countries. Observance rules, names, and exact dates may differ by country.