Holidays on March 20: Spring Equinox—What You Can and Can’t Do
20 March 00:02
On March 20, the world celebrates International Day of Happiness, World Earth Day, and a number of other events. However, the main event of this date is the spring equinox—an astronomical moment that symbolizes the beginning of true spring, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
In 2026, the spring equinox will occur on March 20 at 4:45 p.m. Kyiv time. From this moment on, daylight hours begin to increase rapidly, while nights grow shorter.
What holidays are on March 20
International Day of Happiness
This holiday was established by the UN General Assembly in 2012. Its goal is to remind us that people’s happiness and well-being are important indicators of societal development.
Spring Equinox
What does the Spring Equinox mean?
The spring equinox is an astronomical phenomenon when the Sun crosses the celestial equator and the day is almost equal in length to the night.
In 2026, it occurs on March 20 at 4:45 p.m. Kyiv time.
During this period:
- the length of day and night is approximately equal
- astronomical spring begins
- nature enters an active growth phase
- solar activity increases
From a scientific point of view, after this day, the Earth tilts toward the Sun so that the Northern Hemisphere receives more light.
The Significance of the Spring Equinox in Traditions
For many peoples, this date was considered a symbol of:
- renewal
- rebirth
- the beginning of a new cycle
- purification
In ancient times, this day was often considered the start of the new year. For example, in Persia and some Asian countries, Nowruz—the festival of spring—is celebrated during this period.
In Ukrainian folk traditions, this day was associated with the awakening of nature and the start of fieldwork.
World Earth Day (Spring)
Dedicated to ecology and nature conservation.
World Sparrow Day
The goal is to draw attention to the decline in urban bird populations.
World Oral Health Day
A holiday dedicated to the prevention of dental diseases.
What to do on the Spring Equinox
It is believed that this day is well-suited for:
- planning new projects
- starting new projects
- tidying up the house
- taking walks in nature
- breaking old habits
People also used to say that on this day it’s good to:
- clean your home
- getting rid of unnecessary things
- set new goals
What is not recommended on March 20
According to folk beliefs, on this day you shouldn’t:
- argue
- get into conflicts
- offend people
- think about negative things
- overwork
It was believed that one’s emotional state on this day could influence the coming months.
How the spring equinox affects your well-being
Some people may experience:
- fatigue
- drowsiness
- mood swings
- headaches.
This is attributed to changes in the body’s biological rhythms.
Doctors recommend on such days:
- get more sleep
- drink water
- take more walks
- avoid stress.
Fun fact
It is after the spring equinox that daylight hours in Ukraine increase by about 3–5 minutes each day.
This means that by the end of April, the day will be more than two hours longer than it was at the beginning of March.
Name Day on March 20
The following people celebrate their name day:
- Vasyl
- Pavlo
- Nikita
- Anton
- Yevhen
Folk traditions for March 20
Our ancestors considered this day a sign of spring:
- warm weather — early spring
- frost — a prolonged cold spell
- clear skies — a good harvest.
