Whit Monday 2026 in the United States

Many Christians in the United States will observe Whit Monday, or Pentecost Monday. It is the day after Pentecost, also known as Whit Sunday or Whitsunday, which commemorates the Holy Ghost's descent on Jesus Christ's disciples, according to the New Testament of the Bible.

Is Whit Monday a Public Holiday?

Although Whit Monday is not a public holiday, businesses and schools may be closed because it falls on the same date as Memorial Day in 2026, which is a public holiday in 5 states.

What Do People Do?

Some churches in the United States organize Whit Monday prayer rallies, which include prayers and street marches. Many churches acknowledge Whit Monday as part of Whitsun Week, or Whitsuntide, which includes Whit Sunday, or Pentecost.

Public Life

Whit Monday is not a federal public holiday in the United States.

Background

Christian Pentecost commemorates the Holy Spirit’s visit to the apostles who received the “gift of tongues” on the 50th day after Easter.  It also marks the birth of the Christian Church. Although it is not certain when Pentecost was first observed by Christians, it may have been early as the first century. Pentecost occurs roughly seven weeks after Easter Sunday, or 50 days after Easter, including Easter Day. Like Pentecost, Whit Monday is movable because it is determined by the Easter date. The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox.

Whit Monday used to be one of the major annual holidays in Pennsylvania Dutch country in the United States. From around 1835 to just after the Civil War, Whit Monday was referred to as the “Dutch Fourth of July” in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where people came to eat, drink and be entertained.

In some Orthodox churches, Whit Monday is observed after the date set by the western churches. This is because some Orthodox churches still observe holidays according to the Julian calendar, which preceded the Gregorian calendar adopted by many western churches.

Symbols

Whit Monday gets its English name from Whitsunday, or Whit Sunday, which referred to the white garments worn on Pentecost by the newly baptized. The symbols of Pentecost are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, and a dove.

About Whit Monday in Other Countries

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.