Quick question ... or maybe not so quick depending on the answer. I've finally started going back to church after many years away. What are the different colors for the different seasons?

Answer:

Easy! Generally White for rejoicing, Purple for penitence, Red for Saints, Green for ordinary time ...

but these are not engraved in stone anywhere, and local custom dictates interesting variations. Ancient tradition also shows considerable variation.

Advent - Purple, but under the influence of liturgical reform a preference is growing for Blue.

Christmas (until 6 January) White, but Gold is equally acceptable. Usually paraments are white embroidered with gold.

Epiphany, and the weeks preceeding Lent -- Green.

Lent (except passion week) -- Purple, but Ash Wednesday paraments may be black. Good Friday would be black too, but usually the altar is stripped on Maundy and no paraments whatsoever are used.

Passion week (the Sunday before Easter until Maundy Thursday) -- Red

Easter (fifty days until Pentecost) White and Gold.

Day of Pentecost -- Red

Season of Pentecost -- Green

Individual Saints days are red for martyred saints and white for unmartyred saints. Weddings and baptisms are white and gold.