Pentecost Sunday

Category: Religious
Pentecost Sunday around the world in 2025
Image by Gerd Altmann , from Pixabay. CC0

About Pentecost Sunday

How long until Pentecost Sunday?
Pentecost Sunday .
Dates of Pentecost Sunday
2026 InternationalMay 24
International Sun, May 24Observances Holiday
2025 InternationalJun 8
International Sun, Jun 8Observances Holiday
2024 InternationalMay 19
International Sun, May 19Observances Holiday
2023 InternationalMay 28
International Sun, May 28Observances Holiday
2022 InternationalJun 5
International Sun, Jun 5Observances Holiday
Summary
Celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter

When is Pentecost Sunday?

Pentecost, also known as Whit Sunday or Whitsunday, is observed on the seventh Sunday after Easter and 10 days after Ascension. The name comes from the Greek word "pentekoste" which means fiftieth as Pentecost Sunday takes place on the 50th day of Easter.

As the date is based on Easter, this day is a moveable feast. The earliest day that Pentecost Sunday can fall is May 10th (as in 1818) and the latest possible date is June 13th (next in 2038).

It marks the end of the Easter cycle, which began 90 days ago with Ash Wednesday at the start of Lent.

Why is it called Pentecost Sunday?

This Christian holy day commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of flames to the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament in Acts 2:1–31, the fifth book of the New Testament of the Bible.

The Holy Spirit allowed the apostles to speak in other languages, and they started preaching the word of Jesus to the Jews who were in Jerusalem for the feast of Shavuot (also known as the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost - in this case, meaning seven weeks since Passover).

Many Christians recognise the Descent of the Holy Spirit as the birth of the Church.

In the United Kingdom, Pentecost is known as Whitsunday. The name "Whitsunday" is generally attributed to the white garments formerly worn by the candidates for baptism on this feast.

In Germany, Pentecost is called "Pfingsten" and often coincides with the beginning of many outdoor and springtime activities. 

Did you know?

In 1662, Isaac Newton compiled a list of 48 sins he had committed before Whitsunday that included ‘eating an apple at Thy house’, ‘making pies on Sunday night‘, and ‘denying a crossbow to my mother and grandmother though I knew of it’.

Orthodox Pentecost Sunday

As the date of Orthodox Easter is usually different to the date in the Western Church, so to the date of Orthodox Pentecost Sunday, also known as Holy Spirit Sunday, will differ.

Similar Observances

Read more about Advent

Advent

This day marks the start of the period of Advent that ends on Christmas Eve.

Read More
Read more about Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day

Buddha's Enlightenment Day commemorates Siddhartha Gautama attaining enlightenment — some 2,600 years ago, becoming the Buddha.

Read More
Read more about Go Caroling Day

Go Caroling Day

Celebrate the harmony and joy of Go Caroling Day on December 20th, uniting communities with festive songs and holiday spirit.

Read More
Read more about Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve 🎅

Christmas Eve marks the culmination of the Advent period before Christmas that started on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve.

Read More

Other Observances on June 8th 2025

Read more about Father's Day

Father's Day

Father's Day is a celebration observed in many countries that honours the role of fathers and forefathers.

Read More
Read more about Primož Trubar Day

Primož Trubar Day

A day to honour the author of the first book printed in the Slovene language.

Read More
Read more about National Best Friends Day

National Best Friends Day

Find out the dates, history and traditions of National Best Friends Day

Read More
Read more about National Name Your Poison Day

National Name Your Poison Day

Don't sit there looking at this link - carpe diem and make a decision - that's what Name your Poison Day is all about.

Read More
All events on June 8th 2025