Christians observe Palm Sunday as a remembrance of God’s faithfulness. It marks the beginning of Holy Week and always falls on the Sunday (March 29, 2026) before Easter Sunday. Other names for this day include Passion Sunday, Fig Sunday, Willow Sunday, Branch Sunday, or Blossom Sunday.
Many churches hold special Palm Sunday services that involve distributing palms to the congregation. The palm branch is traditionally a symbol of joy and victory. It is a sign of victory over the flesh and the world in Christianity. It is also associated in memory of Christian martyrs. Willow is commonly used instead of palm branches in some European countries. They are sometimes placed in the fields to ensure that there will be good crops. Branches of olive, box elder, spruce or other trees are used in places where palms are not available. They are later hung up in houses for good luck, buried to preserve crops, or used to decorate graves. The custom of decorating graves with blessed palms still exists in some parts of Germany. Ashes from these palms are used for Ash Wednesday.
Processions take place in Spain, particularly in Seville, during Holy Week and start on Palm Sunday. These processions portray the Passion of Jesus Christ, which refers to Jesus’ suffering prior to his trial and execution. Piazzas in front of many churches throughout Italy are filled with people, including vendors selling olive and palm branches. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is often reenacted with a procession in Rome on Palm Sunday. The priests and deacons wear red garments, and blessed palms are distributed during the church service.