Easter & the Christian calendar · in 278 days
When is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday 2027 is on Sunday, March 21, 2027.
Palm Sunday 2027 falls on Sunday, March 21, 2027.
The Sunday before Easter, marking Jesus's entry into Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week.
In 2026, it falls in ISO week 13. Need the full year's calendar? See all 2026 weeks, or browse every other date.
At a glance
The history of Palm Sunday
The day commemorates the biblical account in all four gospels of Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem, with crowds laying down palm branches and cloaks. It has been observed in Christian liturgy since at least the 4th century, with descriptions of palm-waving processions in Jerusalem recorded by the pilgrim Egeria around 380 AD. The day begins Holy Week, the most sacred week of the Christian year.
How Palm Sunday is celebrated
Churches distribute palm fronds (or olive branches, willow or yew where palms are scarce) to worshippers who carry them in processions. The blessed palms are kept at home and traditionally burned the following year to make ashes for Ash Wednesday. Many Christian churches read the full Passion narrative on Palm Sunday.
Did you know?
In countries without palm trees, churches use olive branches, willow or yew.
The palms blessed on Palm Sunday are kept and burned next year to produce Ash Wednesday ashes.
The procession tradition was first documented in Jerusalem around the year 380 AD.
Palm Sunday in upcoming years
How the date is set
The Sunday before Easter, so 7 days before Easter Sunday.
Because all of these dates pivot on Easter, they shift together each year. See the Easter page for the rule that anchors the whole cycle.
Sources & further reading
For more detail on Palm Sunday, see these references.
Related dates
Palm Sunday: questions and answers
When is Palm Sunday 2027?
Palm Sunday 2027 falls on Sunday, March 21, 2027.
What day of the week is Palm Sunday this year?
In 2026, Palm Sunday is a Sunday, March 29.
How is the date of Palm Sunday determined?
The Sunday before Easter, so 7 days before Easter Sunday.