Ascension Day 2025, 2026 and 2027 in Svalbard
Ascension Day is a holiday in Svalbard to commemorate Jesus Christ’s ascension to heaven as recorded in the Bible. It is observed on the fortieth day of Easter – 39 days after Easter Sunday – and always fall on a Thursday.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 29 May | Thu | Ascension Day |
| 2026 | 14 May | Thu | Ascension Day |
| 2027 | 6 May | Thu | Ascension Day |
| Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates. | |||
Along with Norway far to the south, Svalbard celebrates Ascension Day as an official holiday. The holiday commemorates the ascending of Jesus into the Heavenly realms from the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago.
Most residents of Svalbard get Ascension Day off work. It comes on a Thursday, and they may also take Friday off to get an extra-long weekend. Children will also normally be out of school, and many businesses will be closed. However, many garden centres are open since people like to spend the day gardening at home or at least spend it outside in the fresh, relatively warm May air.
The date of Ascension Day changes each year as it is a moveable feast. Sometimes, it is referred to as the fortieth day of Easter. The last day of the Easter season is actually Pentecost, which comes 10 days after Ascension Day.
Previous Years
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 May | Thu | Ascension Day |
| 2023 | 18 May | Thu | Ascension Day |