United States · 2026–2027

Holy days of obligation, 2026 and 2027

Every US holy day of obligation in 2026 and 2027, with the weekday it falls on and whether the obligation to attend Mass applies. Next up: All Saints (Sunday, November 1, 2026), the Immaculate Conception (Tuesday, December 8) and Christmas (Friday, December 25).

Date	Holy day	Obligatory?
Thu Jan 1, 2026	Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God	Yes
Thu May 14, 2026	The Ascension of the Lord Thursday in the provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha and Philadelphia; elsewhere moved to Sunday, May 17	See note
Sat Aug 15, 2026	The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary	No — abrogated
Sun Nov 1, 2026	All Saints' Day	Yes
Tue Dec 8, 2026	The Immaculate Conception	Yes
Fri Dec 25, 2026	The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)	Yes
Fri Jan 1, 2027	Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God	Yes
Thu May 6, 2027	The Ascension of the Lord Thursday in the provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha and Philadelphia; elsewhere moved to Sunday, May 9	See note
Sun Aug 15, 2027	The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary	Yes
Mon Nov 1, 2027	All Saints' Day	No — abrogated
Wed Dec 8, 2027	The Immaculate Conception	Yes
Sat Dec 25, 2027	The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)	Yes

Prints the table and the rules note, without the rest of the site.

Rules: Code of Canon Law canon 1246 and the USCCB complementary norms (1991, effective 1993). The Diocese of Honolulu keeps only Christmas and the Immaculate Conception; dioceses outside the US follow their own bishops' conference. When in doubt, ask your parish.

Holy day questions

What are the holy days of obligation in the United States?

Besides every Sunday: Mary, Mother of God (January 1), the Ascension (Thursday or the following Sunday, depending on the province), the Assumption (August 15), All Saints (November 1), the Immaculate Conception (December 8) and Christmas (December 25).

When is a holy day not obligatory?

Under the USCCB decree of 1991, when January 1, August 15 or November 1 falls on a Saturday or a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is lifted (the feast is still celebrated). The Immaculate Conception and Christmas are obligatory on any day of the week.

Is December 8, 2026 a holy day of obligation?

Yes — it falls on a Tuesday.

Is November 1, 2026 a holy day of obligation?

Yes. It falls on a Sunday in 2026, so the Sunday Mass is the Mass of All Saints and fulfils both.

Is January 1, 2027 a holy day of obligation?

Yes — it falls on a Friday.

Is November 1, 2027 a holy day of obligation?

No. It falls on a Monday in 2027, so the obligation is abrogated in the United States.

Are the holy days of obligation different in my diocese?

No — the same national rules apply in every Latin-rite (Roman Catholic) diocese in the United States, with two exceptions: the Ascension is kept on Thursday in the provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha and Philadelphia (elsewhere it moves to the following Sunday), and the Diocese of Honolulu keeps only Christmas and the Immaculate Conception. Eastern Catholic churches follow their own calendars. When in doubt, ask your parish.

Does a Saturday evening Mass count?

An evening Mass on the day before a Sunday or holy day fulfils the obligation for that Sunday or holy day. When a holy day falls on a Monday or Saturday, one Mass cannot count for both days.

A “Mass today” badge on every holy day of obligation, and the whole calendar in your pocket — free.