Palm Sunday in Ukraine is a special holiday just before Easter. In Christianity, Palm Sunday holds great significance, as it is on this day that we commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, when the people welcomed Him as a true king. And although on the surface Palm Sunday is simply about palm branches and a few rituals, in reality there is a great deal of meaning and a deep history behind it.

What is Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday is one of the most important Christian religious festivals, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where he was greeted by people with palm branches. This event became a symbol of peace and victory. According to Orthodox traditions, willow twigs are used instead of palm branches, hence the name of the festival.

The significance of Palm Sunday in Christianity

Palm Sunday, or as it is also known, is not just a date on the calendar. It is the day when Jesus entered Jerusalem, and the people welcomed Him, waving palm branches and shouting ‘Hosanna!’. But the point is not the branches — it is that He came not with weapons, but with peace. And this is precisely what the holiday reminds us of: even when everything around us is in turmoil, peace and hope can still be found.

In Ukraine, however, where palm trees are not an option, they have been replaced by willow. It symbolises spring, new life and renewal. That is why we have our own Palm Sunday, where willow twigs are not just a symbol of faith, but also part of our ancient traditions.

To understand what Palm Sunday is, it is worth taking a closer look at the significance of this day. Palm Sunday is an important holiday and also part of Holy Week, which is the preparation for Easter, that is, the resurrection of Jesus. This day is not only a celebration of Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem, but also a symbol of his final week on earth, which will end with the crucifixion and resurrection. According to tradition, on this day believers visit churches, have willow twigs blessed, take them home and keep them for a long time as a talisman against evil and a symbol of blessing.

Why is the holiday called ‘Joking Sunday’?

The second name for Palm Sunday – Joking Sunday – arose from the ancient tradition of playfully ‘beating’ one another with the willow branches blessed on Palm Sunday. After the service, people gently tap one another with the twigs, saying, “It’s not me tapping – it’s the willow tapping.” This custom is a playful ritual, not a punishment, which is said to bring health and protection from all evil.

When is Palm Sunday in 2026

For those wondering when Palm Sunday will be, it is worth noting that this year, as always, the date of Palm Sunday in Ukraine is linked to Easter. The holiday is celebrated on the Sunday before Easter, so its date changes every year, depending on the lunar calendar.

So, what date is Palm Sunday this year? In 2026, Easter falls on 12 April, so Palm Sunday 2026 will be on 5 April — a week before Easter.

The history of Palm Sunday

Interestingly, the history of Palm Sunday has quite deep roots. Here in Ukraine, this holiday is the result of Christian traditions blending with the pagan beliefs of the local people. This is how the cult of the willow came to be part of our Christian tradition. However, exactly when the holiday and the custom of hitting one another with willow branches first appeared remains unclear.

Palm Sunday traditions in Ukraine

Palm Sunday in Ukraine is not only a religious holiday but also an important day in folk traditions. Palm Sunday 2026, as in previous years, is filled with various rituals and customs that help immerse oneself in the festive atmosphere. The traditions of Palm Sunday are not merely festive customs, but also an opportunity to honour cultural heritage and a symbol of the bond between generations of Ukrainians.

The blessing of the willow and its significance

One of the main traditions and customs of Ukrainians on Palm Sunday is the blessing of willow branches in church. Believers take them home, and this is not merely part of the festive ritual. Consecrated willow branches, as a talisman, hold special significance: they symbolise health, good fortune and protection. It is believed that the willow has the power to ward off misfortune, which is why it is often placed on windowsills or hung on gates.

For Ukrainians, the willow is also a symbol of the arrival of spring, renewal and new life. So, if you’re wondering what to bless on Palm Sunday, it is the day when willow branches are blessed, giving them a special protective and blessed significance.

Rituals and customs on Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday 2026, there are several interesting traditions associated with the willow. For example, many people enjoy tapping each other with blessed willow branches on this day. This is not only a cheerful ritual and custom, but also symbolises wishes for health and good fortune. In many families, festive meals are prepared, people gather together, and they often visit relatives.

What to do on Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday 2026, it is both possible and advisable to visit church to have your willow twigs blessed. The ritual can be performed with any number of twigs, which may have fluffy ‘catkins’, buds or leaves. The only important thing is that the plant is alive, not dried out. Looking at ancient traditions, one can also trace the custom of tying a candle to the willow twigs, which is to be lit during the service. Ethnologists note that in Volhynia and Galicia, there was once a tradition of creating arrangements with willow, that is, adding grass and other plants to the bundle that had been blessed the previous year on the Feast of the Transfiguration. After the blessing ritual, the willow branches should be placed in the home.

When Palm Sunday arrives in Ukraine this year, people will also engage in the playful tradition of tapping one another with willow branches as a symbol of health, good luck and energy. Another custom is the festive table, around which family and friends gather.

What not to do on Palm Sunday

For such an important holiday, Ukrainians have not only traditions but also certain prohibitions. So, let’s look at what you shouldn’t do on Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday 2026 is not just a holiday, but also part of Lent and carries religious significance; therefore, on this day there are several important restrictions and rules regarding what not to do on Palm Sunday:

  • You must not argue or swear — this day should be peaceful, without unnecessary conflict.

  • You should not do physical labour — especially in the countryside, where people tried to avoid hard work such as washing, sewing or cleaning.

  • Abstaining from meat, milk and eggs — food should be Lenten, as is customary during Lent.

  • Do not cut your hair — it was believed that this could take away your health and good fortune.

Do not overdo the festivities — although this is a joyful celebration, it should still be observed modestly, without unnecessary excesses.

How to properly prepare for Palm Sunday

So what can you do on Palm Sunday and how should you go about it? Preparations for Palm Sunday begin a few days before the feast. People cut willow twigs and place them in water so that they sprout.

The celebrations themselves begin on Saturday evening, when church services and the blessing of the willow take place.

There is also a service on Sunday, and the priests sprinkle the blessed willow twigs with holy water.

After the service, people take the blessed twigs home, place them near the icons and keep them there all year round. For good luck, health and prosperity, it is traditional to lightly tap relatives with willow twigs as a good festive omen.

Housewives prepare festive lunches or dinners. As Palm Sunday 2026 falls during Lent, one often hears advice for the festive day that meat, dairy or eggs are off-limits. But fish and a little red wine are allowed.

So, we’ve established when Palm Sunday falls in Ukraine in 2026 — it’s on 5 April. A wonderful opportunity to pause for a moment amidst all the hustle and bustle and decide how to prepare for Easter not only physically (how are the Easter cakes and the cleaning coming along?), but also spiritually. It’s not just a religious holiday — it’s also a lovely excuse to spend time with family, catch up with loved ones, reflect on something deeper and give your soul a bit of a refresh.