When Is Gaudete Sunday in 2026 and Why Does the Date Change Every Year?

Gaudete Sunday falls on Sunday, December 13, 2026. It is the Third Sunday of Advent, when the Church gives special expression to Christian joy as Christmas draws nearer.

Gaudete Sunday Advent wreath with two violet candles and one rose candle lit, a fourth violet candle unlit, and a priest in rose vestments before a crucifix in a Catholic church.
Gaudete Sunday during Advent, with two violet candles and the rose candle lit on the Advent wreath, a priest wearing rose vestments, and the crucifix of Jesus Christ above the altar, expressing the joyful expectation of Christ’s coming.

When Is Gaudete Sunday in 2026?

Gaudete Sunday is celebrated on Sunday, December 13, 2026. As the Third Sunday of Advent, it marks a pivotal moment in the season of preparation as Christmas approaches.

Gaudete Sunday 2026 at a Glance

Detail 2026 Information
Date Sunday, December 13, 2026
Liturgical Occasion Third Sunday of Advent
Liturgical Season Advent
Name Origin Latin Gaudete ("Rejoice")
Advent Wreath Symbol Rose candle (lit alongside two violet candles)
Calendar Type Moveable Sunday (tied to Advent Sundays)

Why Does the Date of Gaudete Sunday Change Every Year?

Gaudete Sunday changes date because it is tied directly to the Sundays of Advent rather than to a fixed calendar date in December.

Christmas is always observed on December 25, but Advent begins on a Sunday whose calendar date rotates from year to year:

  • The First Sunday of Advent can occur on any date between November 27 and December 3.
  • Gaudete Sunday comes exactly two weeks later as the Third Sunday of the season.

Because the start of Advent shifts each year, the calendar date of Gaudete Sunday moves as well.

What Is Gaudete Sunday and What Does It Mean?

Gaudete Sunday highlights Christian joy as the coming of the Lord draws near.

Advent remains an overarching liturgical season of preparation, but this Sunday gives special expression to the joy contained within that waiting. The name originates from the Latin word Gaudete, meaning “Rejoice”. The deeper reason for rejoicing is Christ Himself and the nearness of His coming.

The Advent Wreath and the Rose Candle

In the common four-candle Advent wreath, the third candle is the rose candle. On Gaudete Sunday, two violet candles and the rose candle are lit.

The candle is a devotional symbol rather than the source of the Sunday's theological meaning. It visually reflects the Christian joy of waiting as believers prepare for the arrival of Christ.

What Is the Difference Between Gaudete Sunday and Laetare Sunday?

Gaudete Sunday and Laetare Sunday are distinct celebrations that occur in two completely different liturgical seasons:

  • Gaudete Sunday: The Third Sunday of Advent, which points toward Christmas and the coming of Christ.
  • Laetare Sunday: The Fourth Sunday of Lent, which occurs as the Church journeys toward the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus.
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