When does Advent start and end?

Answer 1

It ends on Christmas Eve with the start of Midnight Mass.

Answer

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on the day before Christmas. Thus it begins on 27 November 2011 and ends on 24 December.

Answer 2

Advent is the period of preparation. It looks back to the Advent (coming) of Christ at Christmas. However, it also looks forward to the advent of Christ at the end of time; this is why the Scriptures in Church often focus on the end of time as well as the prophecies about the birth of the Messiah. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas ( the Eastern church has a similar preparation season, although it is not called Advent, differs in the way it is observed, and begins on the 15 December). As the 25th of December is the date the birth is celebrated, Advent ends on the 24th, when the waiting and preparation end.