When does spring 2026 start? Plus what is the spring equinox, and what are the best spring deals? (aff)

Spring has sprung - or is about to spring - depending on which calendar you use, (more on that below), but one thing is for sure - we can all look forward to longer days, lighter nights and warmer weather.

There’s definitely been a change in recent days and weeks - the big light doesn’t need to be turned on as early, it’s warmer when you wake up, the sun is shining and daffodils are blooming in the garden. Plus, the spring sales are on in the shops and online.

But, the start date of the new spring season is up for debate as some follow the meteorological calendar while others take guidance from the the astronomical calendar. Plus, there’s the spring equinox to consider, which happens every year, and is considered by many to symbolise the start of the season.

So, when does spring start, what are the difference between the two calendars, and what is the spring equinox? Plus, what are some of the best spring deals available at the moment? Keep reading to find out all you need to know.

What is meteorological spring?

The four seasons of the year; spring, summer, autumn and winter, are grouped into three months according to meteorology. This means that they are all exactly the same every year. The spring months are March, April and May. The summer months are June, July and August, the autumn months are September, October and November and the winter months are December, January, February.

What is astronomical spring?

Astronomical is based around the orbit of Earth around the Sun, and therefore changes slightly every year. Under this measure, the seasons change slightly later than the meteorological timescale - usually about three weeks later.

What are the best spring sales of 2026?

Here are some of the best deals of the season so far.

• M&S: Large clearance sale across women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, plus brands like Nobody’s Child.
• Next: Large clearance sale across women's, men's, and children's clothing with further reductions.
• New Look: Up to 60% off sale items for women, men, girls and maternity. Plus, 25% off site-wide.
• Monsoon: Up to 60% off women’s and children’s clothes.
• John Lewis: Up to 20% off bedding, up to 30% off home brands and up to 50% off women’s clothing.

* Be sure to check out our dedicated Recommended page throughout the season, for all the latest on Spring sales and deals across fashion and beauty, homeware, tech and more. We’ll be bringing you round-ups, highlighting stand-out products and more. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, you can also sign up to our Top Buys newsletter.

When does spring 2026 start?

Exactly when spring starts depends on which of the two calendars you follow. The meteorological calendar, which is the same every year and is based on the annual temperature cycle, states that spring always begins on March 1. This year that means that spring began on Sunday March 1. It ends on May 31, which is Tuesday May 31 in 2026.

The astronomical calendar, which changes year-on-year and refers to the Earth’s orbit in relation to the sun, dictates that spring 2026 will begin today (Friday March 20) and last until Sunday June 21.

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What is the spring equinox and when is it?

The spring (or vernal) equinox is an astronomical event marking the start of astronomical spring. It happens between March 19 and 21 every year, and occurs as the sun crosses the celestial equator. In the moment that this happens, the Earth's axis is not tilted toward or away from the Sun which means there are nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness worldwide.

When and why do the clocks go forward in 2026?

Clocks change from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to British Summer Time (BST) in the early hours of the last Sunday in March every year, which this year means the change happens on March 29.

Some people remember this using the phrase 'spring forward' by an hour, and although many people look forward to the lighter nights this will bring they do not enjoy losing an hour of sleep.

The clocks go forward each spring to maximise daylight during the spring and summer months following the spring equinox.