Advent 2026: Dates and Prayers for the Season

Advent 2026 begins on Sunday, November 29, and ends on Thursday, December 24. Christmas Day is Friday, December 25. Advent is the Church’s four-week season of waiting and preparation for the birth of Christ.

Advent 2026 dates

• First Sunday of Advent: November 29
• Feast of St. Andrew: November 30
• Second Sunday: December 6
• Immaculate Conception: Tuesday, December 8
• Third Sunday (Gaudete): December 13
• Fourth Sunday: December 20
• Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24
• Christmas: Friday, December 25

The Sunday readings in 2026 to 2027 follow Year B. Advent always starts on the Sunday closest to November 30. Because Christmas lands on a Friday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent falls five days before it.

What Advent is for

Advent looks two ways. Until December 16, the focus is on Christ’s return at the end of time. From December 17 to 24, the focus turns to his birth in Bethlehem. The Church asks us to prepare our hearts in both senses.

Prayers for each week

You can keep this light. A few minutes a day is enough.

1. Week 1: Light the first candle on the Advent wreath. Pray the Our Father slowly.
2. Week 2: Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, starting with the Annunciation. See the Joyful Mysteries.
3. Week 3: On Gaudete Sunday, light the rose candle. Give thanks for something specific.
4. Week 4: Pray the Hail Mary each day and read the Gospel account of the Visitation.

The St. Andrew Christmas Novena

This popular devotion begins on November 30 and ends on December 24. Many Catholics pray a short prayer fifteen times a day. Read the prayer and the usual practice on our St. Andrew Christmas Novena page.

Small habits that help

• Pray at the same time each day.
• Go to Confession before Christmas.
• Keep the wreath and a Bible where you eat.
• Choose one act of charity each week.

For a simple daily routine, see our daily prayer page.