Your guide to Easter dates and information.
Easter has already passed this year. It was on Sunday, March 31, 2024.
There are 156 days left until the next Easter on: Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Easter is a significant Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the promise of eternal life.
The Easter story begins with the crucifixion of Jesus, who was arrested, tried, and condemned to death by crucifixion, a brutal form of execution reserved for the worst offenders. On Good Friday, he was nailed to a wooden cross, enduring immense suffering. This event serves as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made for humanity's sins.
After his death, Jesus was placed in a tomb carved from rock, which was sealed with a heavy stone. For three days, his followers mourned, feeling lost without their leader. But on Easter Sunday, the story takes a miraculous turn. Early in the morning, Mary Magdalene and other women went to the tomb and discovered that the stone had been rolled away. To their amazement, the tomb was empty, and they were greeted by angels who proclaimed that Jesus had risen from the dead.
This miraculous resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith, representing victory over sin and death. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's love and the possibility of new beginnings.
As Christians around the world celebrate Easter, they engage in various traditions, from attending church services to sharing festive meals and enjoying joyful activities like decorating Easter eggs and participating in egg hunts. These customs symbolize new life and the joy of Christ’s triumph over darkness.
Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, which usually occurs between March 22 and April 25.
Since Easter is tied to the lunar calendar and the spring equinox, the date changes yearly within a certain range.
Easter’s date changes because it is based on the lunar calendar and the spring equinox, rather than the Gregorian calendar.
The term "Easter" is thought to derive from Eostre, a pre-Christian goddess in England associated with spring.
Common traditions include attending church services, decorating Easter eggs, and organizing Easter egg hunts.
Easter eggs symbolize new life and resurrection, which aligns with the message of Easter.
Dyeing eggs symbolizes the blood of Christ and the new life his resurrection offers.
Good Friday is traditionally the day when many Christians eat fish instead of meat. Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter, including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches. It is observed on the Sunday before Easter.
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. It is the day Jesus instituted the Eucharist (Holy Communion) and is observed on the Thursday before Easter.
Good Friday is the day that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed on the Friday before Easter and is a day of mourning and reflection for Christians.
Holy Saturday is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, commemorating the time Jesus lay in the tomb. It is a day of quiet reflection and anticipation of the resurrection, leading into the Easter Vigil service in the evening.