When does Advent start in 2026?
Advent 2026 starts on Sunday, November 29, 2026 and ends on Christmas Eve, December 24. The four Advent Sundays are November 29 and December 6, 13 and 20.
Advent Sundays for 2026, 2027 and 2028
| Year | 1st Sunday | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ||||
| 2027 | ||||
| 2028 |
The Advent candles
Many churches and families light one more candle each Sunday. Names and colours vary between traditions; this is the most common pattern.
| When | Theme | Verse |
|---|---|---|
| First Sunday | HopeThe prophecy candle | Isaiah 9:6 |
| Second Sunday | PeaceThe Bethlehem candle | Micah 5:2 |
| Third Sunday | JoyThe shepherds’ candle (often pink) | Luke 2:10 |
| Fourth Sunday | LoveThe angels’ candle | John 3:16 |
| Christmas | ChristThe white centre candle | Luke 2:11 |
Start your Advent readings
Our Advent plan has one King James verse for each day of December. Here are the first four:
- Dec 1
The first promise
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Genesis 3:15 - Dec 2
A blessing for all nations
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Genesis 22:18 - Dec 3
A star out of Jacob
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Numbers 24:17 - Dec 4
A sign: Immanuel
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
Questions about Advent
When does Advent start in 2026?
Advent 2026 begins on Sunday, November 29, 2026 and ends on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2026.
How is the start of Advent decided?
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, so it always falls between November 27 and December 3.
How long is Advent in 2026?
Advent 2026 lasts 26 days, from November 29 to December 24. It is shorter or longer each year depending on which day of the week Christmas falls.
Do Advent calendars start on December 1?
Most Advent calendars count December 1 to 24 (or 25) whatever the date of the first Sunday. Church Advent, with its candles, starts on the first Sunday.
More for the season
Dates follow the Western church calendar. Scripture from the King James Version (KJV), public domain.