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Pentecost
Pentecost / Day of Pentecost
Also called: Whit Sunday (British), Pfingsten (German), Pentecôte (French), Shavuot of Christians, Descent of the Holy Spirit (Orthodox)
24 May 2026
All Christians
Pentecost is the 'birthday of the Church' — fifty days after Easter, when the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus's followers like tongues of fire and they spoke in many languages. Churches wear red, hold confirmations, and in England it was once called Whit Sunday because of white baptism robes.
Pentecostal churches take their name from this day. UK Christian summer festivals often launch around Pentecost weekend.
Eden lists festivals and youth camps where you can celebrate with thousands of other Christians.
At a glance
- Type
- solemnity
- Date type
- Moveable (changes with Easter)
- Regions
- Global
- Themes
- Holy Spirit, Mission, Church
- Liturgical colour
- Red
Common questions
Pentecost is observed on 24 May 2026. Moveable feasts shift each year; fixed feasts stay on the same calendar date.
The feast of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and disciples gathered in Jerusalem, as described in Acts 2:1–11. Often called the "birthday of the Church." In the Catholic and Anglican tradition, red vestments signify the tongues of fire of the Holy Spirit. In England, Whit Sunday was historically a major occasion for baptisms and Whit Monday was a public holiday. Pentecost Sunday i
It is associated with All Christians. It falls in the Pentecost season of the liturgical year.