How Many Days Until the Spring Equinox?
The Spring Equinox 2026 occurs around Friday, March 20, 2026.
About the Spring Equinox
The Spring Equinox, also known as the Vernal Equinox, marks the astronomical beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere (and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere). It occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward, resulting in nearly equal lengths of day and night across the globe. This typically happens around March 20th or 21st each year.
The Science of the Equinox
Like the Autumn Equinox, the Spring Equinox is defined by Earth's tilt and orbit.
Earth's Tilt Neutral
During the equinoxes, Earth's axial tilt (about 23.5 degrees) is neither tilted toward nor away from the Sun relative to the equator. Both hemispheres receive sunlight relatively equally.
Sun Crosses Equator Northward
At the moment of the Spring Equinox, the Sun's center passes directly over the Earth's equator as it moves from the southern to the northern celestial hemisphere.
Equal Day and Night (Vernal)
"Equinox" means "equal night." While day and night are very close to 12 hours, atmospheric refraction makes the day slightly longer. This marks the transition to days being longer than nights in the Northern Hemisphere.
Date Variation
The date typically falls on March 19, 20, or 21, varying due to the leap year cycle and Earth's orbit.
Cultural Significance and Celebrations
The Spring Equinox has been celebrated as a time of renewal, fertility, and new beginnings across many cultures:
- Ostara (Germanic Neopaganism): A festival celebrating spring's arrival, associated with the goddess Eostre/Ostara, fertility symbols like eggs and rabbits, and themes of balance and new growth. Many Easter traditions have roots here.
- Nowruz (Persian New Year): Celebrated on the equinox, marking the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Iranian calendar. Involves spring cleaning, visiting family, and setting the Haft-Seen table.
- Easter Calculation: While a movable feast, Easter's date is determined by the Spring Equinox (first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the equinox).
- Higan (Japanese Buddhism): A period surrounding both equinoxes for remembering ancestors.
- Ancient Monuments: Structures like Chichen Itza (Mexico) and Mnajdra (Malta) show alignments with the equinox sunrise/sunset, indicating ancient astronomical awareness.
- Symbolism: Common themes include balance (light/dark), rebirth, fertility, new beginnings, planting, and the emergence of life after winter.
The Awakening of Spring
The Spring Equinox signals dramatic changes as nature awakens in the Northern Hemisphere:
Increasing Daylight
After the equinox, days become progressively longer than nights, providing more energy for plant growth.
Warming Temperatures
Average temperatures rise more consistently, melting remaining snow and ice and warming the soil.
Budding and Blooming
Trees begin to bud and leaf out, early spring flowers emerge, and grasses start growing vigorously.
Return of Migratory Animals
Many birds return from their wintering grounds, and hibernating animals emerge. Insect activity increases.