When is Whit Monday 2026?

Whit Monday, also called Pentecost Monday, falls on the day after Pentecost Sunday — fifty days after Easter. Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. The word Pentecost comes from the Greek for "fiftieth day".

The name "Whit Sunday" (White Sunday) for Pentecost is an English tradition linked to the white garments worn by those baptised on that day. Whit Monday extended the celebration by one day and became a popular feast day across medieval Europe, associated with fairs, sports, and outdoor gatherings.

Whit Monday remains a public holiday in France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Hungary, and several other countries. It was abolished as a statutory holiday in the UK in 1971 and replaced by the late May bank holiday. The date falls between 11 May and 14 June depending on the year.