The Easter Vigil does not correspond to the usual Saturday evening Mass schedule and its character is unique in the cycle of the liturgical year. With its emphasis on vigil and light, "the entire celebration of the Easter Vigil must take place during the night, so that it begins after nightfall and ends before daybreak on the Sunday" (Roman Missal, "The Easter Vigil" n. 3).

Sunset on March 26 is at 7:34 PM, and twilight at 8:03 PM. Therefore, the earliest acceptable time for scheduling the Easter Vigil is 8:00 PM.