Easter 2026 in Austin: When Lent ends and where to celebrate

Isabella Garcia, 3, right, and Sophia Wang, middle, dye eggs during The Neill-Cochran House Museum's Easter Egg Dye-o-Rama event on Friday, April 18, 2025. The museum hosted a free day of activities including Easter egg dyeing, live music, scavenger hunts and lawn games.
Mikala Compton/American-Statesman

As families make plans for church services, egg hunts and brunches, here’s what to know about Easter in Austin in 2026 — including the date, what’s open and where to celebrate.

When is Easter in 2026?

Easter Sunday falls on April 5, 2026. The date changes each year because it is tied to the lunar calendar and typically falls between late March and late April.

The holiday comes at the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and reflection that begins on Ash Wednesday.

Plastic Easter Eggs were placed on the field at 1849 Park in Pflugerville for Egg Palooza on Saturday.
Megumi Rooze/Special to American-Statesman

When does Lent end in 2026?

Lent ends on Holy Thursday (April 2, 2026) before the start of the Easter Triduum, though many Christians consider it to conclude at sunset on Holy Saturday, April 4, just before Easter Sunday on April 5.

Is Easter a holiday? Will you get the day off?

Unlike Christmas and Thanksgiving, Easter is not a federal holiday, meaning most businesses, schools and government offices are not required to close. But because Easter is always on a Sunday, many people do not need to request time off work.

Here’s what that usually means in Central Texas:

• Most private employers remain open, though some allow flexible scheduling or time off.
• Banks and government offices typically stay open the following Monday, since Easter always falls on a Sunday.
• Public schools are often closed the preceding Friday or the following week as part of spring break, depending on the district calendar.
• Retail and restaurants usually remain open, though hours may be reduced.

Where to go to church on Easter in Austin

Churches across the Austin metro area typically add extra services, overflow seating and outdoor worship options to accommodate larger Easter crowds.

Shannon Carter prays during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. John Neumann Catholic Church on Wednesday February 22, 2023. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a 40-day period of solemn observance that ends on Easter Sunday.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman

Some of the most popular options in Austin include:

• St. Mary Cathedral downtown, the “mother church” of the Catholic Diocese of Austin, draws large crowds from across Central Texas. In recent years, the cathedral has scheduled several Masses throughout the day, including early morning, midday and evening services, with overflow seating available to accommodate attendance.
• Gateway Church Austin hosts multiple Easter services across its North Austin, South Austin and Buda campuses. Services typically include contemporary worship, family programming and community events, with options scheduled throughout the morning.
• University United Methodist Church near the University of Texas, is known for community-focused services, music and outreach to students and faculty. Congregations in this area often see a mix of longtime Austin residents and younger worshippers during Easter weekend.
• Austin Stone Community Church hosts Easter gatherings across multiple locations in and around Austin, including downtown, South and Northwest campuses. Churches like Austin Stone typically encourage families to attend the campus closest to them as the region’s population has grown.

Other large churches across the metro area also host major Easter events. For example, LifeFamily Church has offered sunrise services, amphitheater worship and multiple Easter morning gatherings, along with egg hunts and family activities at several Central Texas campuses.

Easter egg hunts and family events in Austin

Beyond worship services, Easter weekend in Austin includes egg hunts, festivals and community events across the metro area. Many events divide egg hunts by age group and host them in parks, church campuses and neighborhood spaces.

The Tovar family poses with the Easter Bunny Saturday at Egg Palooza in Pflugerville.
Megumi Rooze/Special to American-Statesman

Attractions like the Austin Zoo and heritage sites such as Pioneer Farms often combine egg hunts with educational programming and seasonal activities.

In Round Rock, the annual egg hunt hosted by Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District typically includes multiple hunt times, games and photos with the Easter Bunny.

In Lakeway, the annual “Eggstravaganza” includes food vendors, face painting, crafts and petting zoos alongside egg hunts. Local farms and private venues, including Robinson Family Farm, often host ticketed Easter weekends with food trucks, live music and themed photo areas.

Many also now include sensory-friendly options and quiet hours, aiming to make Easter more accessible to a wider range of families.

What does Easter mean?

For Christians, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus following his crucifixion — a central belief of the faith. Many churches hold sunrise services, which symbolize the discovery of the empty tomb early in the morning.

The week leading up to Easter, often called Holy Week, includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Each commemorates events leading to the crucifixion.

Noel Aguilar holds his two-year-old son Francisco during an afternoon mass at Cristo Rey Catholic Church on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017. (TAMIR KALIFA/ AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
Austin American-Statesman

Who celebrates Easter?

Easter is observed by most Christian denominations worldwide.

Even outside religious traditions, Easter has become a widely celebrated cultural holiday in the United States, with many families marking the day through meals, gatherings and community events.

Feb 18, 2026