Mark your calendars! The next equinox - the seasonal turning point of 2026 - is approaching. Whether you're planning your garden, scheduling a trip, or simply want to salute the Sun at the precise moment, this briefing on theMarch Equinox 2026 has everything you need to know.

When Is the March Equinox 2026?

Astronomical Moment: The March equinox of 2026 (vernal in the Northern Hemisphere, autumnal in the Southern) will occur on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 14:46 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Convert UTC to your local time:

• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT): March 20, 10:46 AM
• Central Daylight Time (CDT): March 20, 9:46 AM
• Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): March 20, 7:46 AM
• United Kingdom (GMT/BST): March 20, 2:46 PM (If observing BST, it will be 3:46 PM. Check local DST policy for March 2026).
• Central European Time (CET/CEST): March 20, 3:46 / 4:46 PM
• China Standard Time (CST): March 20, 10:46 PM
• Australian Eastern Time (AEST/AEDT): March 21, 1:46 / 2:46 AM (Date shifts to the 21st due to time zone ahead of UTC).
  What It Means For You: This moment marks the official astronomical beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the astronomical beginning of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

Sky Events Related to the March Equinox 2026

• Determining Easter: In Western Christian tradition, the date of Easter is intrinsically linked to the equinox. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. Therefore, the 2026 equinox directly sets the date for Easter and related holidays that year.
• Upcoming Full Moon: The first full moon after the 2026 equinox will be the Pink Moon on April 2. It's a great time to observe the "equinox moon."
• A Friday Equinox: The equinox falling on a Friday provides a perfect opportunity for many to kick off the weekend with celebrations or outdoor activities.

How to Observe the March Equinox 2026

• Host a Sunrise/Sunset Watch: On March 20, find a location with a clear view. Use your phone's compass to verify if the Sun truly rises due east and sets due west. It's a live astronomy and geography lesson.
• Launch Your Spring Gardening: In the Northern Hemisphere, the equinox is a traditional time to start sowing hardy vegetables (like spinach, peas, radishes) and pruning perennials. Friends in the Southern Hemisphere can begin planting fall crops or preparing the garden for cooler months.
• Conduct a "Balance" Ritual: The equinox symbolizes equilibrium. Use it as an opportunity for a home "spring cleaning" (akin to Nowruz traditions), share a balanced meal with loved ones, or simply journal to reflect on areas in your life that need rebalancing.
• Plan a Weekend Getaway: Natural landscapes change rapidly around the equinox. Plan a flower or bird-watching trip in the North, or a leaf-peeping excursion in the South.
• An Educational Moment: It's the perfect time to explain Earth's tilt and the seasons to children or students. A globe and a flashlight can vividly demonstrate the principle of the equinox.

Remember the Date: Friday, March 20, 2026.

Let this day be a conscious pause to appreciate the graceful motion of our planet in space and to make room - in your heart and schedule - for the season ahead.
Want to learn the science behind the equinox? Read our full guide: What is the Spring Equinox?