Maslenitsa and Easter Dates for 2026

The dates of Maslenitsa celebration depend on the date of Easter. After all, Maslenitsa week is the last merry period before Great Lent.

The date of Easter is different every year, and many wonder why Easter celebration falls on different days each year, with a wide range from late March to early May.

The thing is, the date of Easter depends on the lunar cycle and the spring equinox. According to church tradition, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following March 21. Therefore, the date of the holiday is different every year. Moreover, Catholics follow the Gregorian calendar, while Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar, so Catholic and Orthodox Easter almost never coincide.

Maslenitsa, however, depends on the date of Easter. First, the day of the great Christian holiday is determined, then seven weeks are counted back for Great Lent, and thus the dates of Maslenitsa week are determined.

In 2026, Maslenitsa will be celebrated from February 16 to 22, because Easter this year will be early — April 12. Thus, Great Lent will begin on February 23 and last until April 11.