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Whit Monday 2025 in the United States

Many Christians in the United States will observe Whit Monday, or Pentecost Monday. It is the day after Pentecost, also known as Whit Sunday or Whitsunday, which commemorates the Holy Ghost's descent on Jesus Christ's disciples, according to the New Testament of the Bible.

Is Whit Monday a Public Holiday?

Whit Monday is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.

Whit Monday follows Pentecost, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost upon Jesus Christ's disciples according to Christian tradition.

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What Do People Do?

Some churches in the United States organize Whit Monday prayer rallies, which include prayers and street marches. Many churches acknowledge Whit Monday as part of Whitsun Week, or Whitsuntide, which includes Whit Sunday, or Pentecost.

Public Life

Whit Monday is not a federal public holiday in the United States.

Background

Christian Pentecost commemorates the Holy Spirit’s visit to the apostles who received the “gift of tongues” on the 50th day after Easter.  It also marks the birth of the Christian Church. Although it is not certain when Pentecost was first observed by Christians, it may have been early as the first century. Pentecost occurs roughly seven weeks after Easter Sunday, or 50 days after Easter, including Easter Day. Like Pentecost, Whit Monday is movable because it is determined by the Easter date. The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox.

Whit Monday used to be one of the major annual holidays in Pennsylvania Dutch country in the United States. From around 1835 to just after the Civil War, Whit Monday was referred to as the “Dutch Fourth of July” in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where people came to eat, drink and be entertained.

In some Orthodox churches, Whit Monday is observed after the date set by the western churches. This is because some Orthodox churches still observe holidays according to the Julian calendar, which preceded the Gregorian calendar adopted by many western churches.

Symbols

Whit Monday gets its English name from Whitsunday, or Whit Sunday, which referred to the white garments worn on Pentecost by the newly baptized. The symbols of Pentecost are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, and a dove.

About Whit Monday in Other Countries

Read more about Whit Monday.

Whit Monday Observances

YearWeekdayDateNameHoliday Type
2020月曜日6月1日 (月)Whit MondayChristian
2021月曜日5月24日 (月)Whit MondayChristian
2022月曜日6月6日 (月)Whit MondayChristian
2023月曜日5月29日 (月)Whit MondayChristian
2024月曜日5月20日 (月)Whit MondayChristian
2025月曜日6月9日 (月)Whit MondayChristian
2026月曜日5月25日 (月)Whit MondayChristian
2027月曜日5月17日 (月)Whit MondayChristian
2028月曜日6月5日 (月)Whit MondayChristian
2029月曜日5月21日 (月)Whit MondayChristian
2030月曜日6月10日 (月)Whit MondayChristian

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.