Easter is one of the most important Christian holidays celebrated worldwide, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead three days after his crucifixion. If you’ve ever wondered what Easter is and why millions of Christians gather each spring to celebrate this holy day, you’re in the right place.
Unlike fixed holidays like Christmas, it changes dates every year based on lunar cycles and the spring equinox. This makes it a unique “movable feast” that can fall anywhere between late March and late April.
Let’s explore the meaning behind it, discover when it falls in 2025 and 2026, and understand the beautiful traditions that make this celebration special.
What is Easter?
Easter is the most sacred feast in the Christian calendar. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion by the Romans in the first century CE.
This powerful event forms the cornerstone of Christian faith. The resurrection represents victory over death and offers believers hope for eternal life.
It is also known as Resurrection Sunday or Pascha. The name “Pascha” comes from the Hebrew word “Pesach,” meaning Passover, highlighting the deep historical connection between these two important religious observances.
The holiday marks the end of Lent—40 days of prayer, fasting, and reflection—and the conclusion of Holy Week, which commemorates the final days of Jesus’s life.
For Christians around the world, Easter Sunday symbolizes new life, renewal, and spiritual rebirth. It’s a time of joy, celebration, and gathering with family and loved ones.
When is Easter 2025?
Easter 2025 falls on Sunday, April 20. This year, the holiday arrives later than usual due to the timing of the Paschal Full Moon.
Christians worldwide will gather at church services, share meals with family, and celebrate the resurrection on this special day. Here are the important dates leading up to Easter 2025:
Ash Wednesday: March 5, 2025 (marks the beginning of Lent)
Palm Sunday: April 13, 2025 (commemorates Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem)
Holy Thursday: April 17, 2025 (remembers the Last Supper)
Good Friday: April 18, 2025 (marks the crucifixion)
Holy Saturday: April 19, 2025 (day of waiting and reflection)
Easter Sunday: April 20, 2025 (celebrates the resurrection)
The Lenten season begins roughly six-and-a-half weeks before Easter, giving believers time for spiritual preparation through restraint and prayer.
When is Easter 2026?
Mark your calendars! Easter 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, April 5—two weeks earlier than in 2025.
This earlier date reflects how the lunar calendar and spring equinox work together to determine when it falls each year.
For 2026, Ash Wednesday falls on February 18, beginning the Lenten period. Holy Week will follow in early April, leading to Easter Sunday on April 5.
Planning for it helps families prepare their celebrations, book travel, and organize special gatherings with enough time to make the day meaningful.
Why Does Easter’s Date Change Every Year?
You might notice that it never seems to land on the same date twice. That’s because it’s classified as a “movable feast”—unlike Christmas, which always falls on December 25.
The date of Easter is determined by a complex calculation involving the Moon and the spring equinox. Here’s how it works:
Easter Sunday always occurs on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon. The Paschal Full Moon is defined as the first full moon that happens on or after March 21—the Church’s fixed date for the spring equinox.
The Christian Church uses ecclesiastical dates rather than astronomical dates. This means they always consider the spring equinox to be March 21, even though the actual astronomical equinox can vary slightly.
By this standard, it can never fall before March 22 or later than April 25 in the Gregorian calendar.
Here’s an interesting example: In 2019, the astronomical full moon fell on March 20—the same day as the astronomical equinox. However, since the Church recognizes March 21 as the equinox, that full moon didn’t count. It was instead celebrated on April 21, following the next full moon.
For over 500 years, it most commonly fallen on March 31 or April 16. The rarest date? March 22—making it the most unusual Easter date possible.
Easter Traditions and Symbols
Easter brings beloved traditions that blend Christian symbolism with springtime celebrations. These customs have been passed down through generations, creating cherished memories for families worldwide.
Easter eggs are perhaps the most recognizable symbol. They represent new life and resurrection, perfectly capturing Easter’s message of renewal. Many families dye eggs in vibrant colors, creating beautiful decorations for their homes.
The Easter Bunny hops into the celebration as a symbol of fertility and spring. Children eagerly await visits from this fluffy friend, who leaves baskets filled with treats and surprises.
Easter egg hunts create excitement for kids, who search gardens and homes for hidden treasures. These hunts bring communities together and make lasting childhood memories.
Church services on Easter Sunday draw large congregations. Many Christians attend sunrise services, symbolizing Christ’s rising at dawn. Traditional hymns and special liturgies mark the occasion.
Easter dinner is a time for families to gather around the table. Traditional foods include lamb (representing sacrifice), ham, fresh spring vegetables like asparagus and peas, and hot cross buns marked with crosses.
Easter baskets filled with chocolate eggs, jelly beans, and other candy delights bring joy to children. Parents often include small toys and spring-themed treats.
Easter lilies grace homes and churches with their pure white blooms. These flowers symbolize purity, hope, and the resurrection.
Many people also embrace the tradition of wearing new clothes on Easter Sunday, representing the fresh start and new life that the resurrection brings.
The Meaning Behind Easter
At its core, Easter celebrates the most fundamental belief of Christianity: that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, conquering death itself.
The biblical account tells how Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and placed in a tomb. On the third day—Easter Sunday—women who came to the tomb found it empty. An angel announced that Jesus had risen, just as he had promised.
This resurrection forms the basis of Christian hope. It promises believers that death is not the end, and eternal life awaits those who have faith.
One powerful biblical verse captures this message. In John 11:25, Jesus says: “I am the resurrection and the life.” These words were spoken to Martha, whose brother Lazarus had died. Jesus then brought Lazarus back to life, demonstrating his power over death.
Easter’s message extends beyond religious significance. The themes of renewal, hope, and new beginnings resonate with spring’s arrival. Nature awakens from winter’s sleep, flowers bloom, and life returns to the earth.
For Christians worldwide, it affirms their faith and reminds them that even in darkness, light will prevail. It’s a celebration of victory, joy, and the promise of resurrection.
Holy Week Leading to Easter
Easter Sunday is the culmination of Holy Week—the most solemn period in the Christian calendar. Each day carries special meaning as believers commemorate the final week of Jesus’s earthly life.
Palm Sunday begins Holy Week, remembering when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey. Crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches and laying them on the road, shouting “Hosanna!”
Holy Thursday (also called Maundy Thursday) recalls the Last Supper. Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples, washing their feet as an act of humble service and establishing the communion ritual.
Good Friday marks the crucifixion. Despite its name referencing “good,” it’s a somber day of reflection on Jesus’s sacrifice. Many churches hold special services, and some Christians fast or abstain from meat.
Holy Saturday is a day of waiting. Jesus’s body lay in the tomb while his followers grieved, not yet knowing about the resurrection to come. Many churches hold Easter Vigil services on Saturday evening.
These days of reflection prepare believers’ hearts for Easter Sunday’s joy. The contrast between Good Friday’s sorrow and Easter’s celebration makes the resurrection message even more powerful.
The 40 days of Lent leading up to Holy Week provide additional spiritual preparation. Many Christians give up something meaningful or adopt new spiritual practices during this time.
Easter Around the World
While Easter’s core message remains the same, celebrations vary beautifully across cultures and traditions.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Easter often falls on a different date than in Western Christianity. This happens because Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar followed by most Western churches.
When converted to Gregorian dates, Eastern Orthodox Easter can fall between April 4 and May 8—sometimes weeks later than the Western celebration.
Different countries add their own unique traditions. In Greece, people crack red-dyed eggs together. In Poland, families share a blessed meal called Święconka. Spain hosts elaborate religious processions with ornate floats.
Some countries celebrate Easter Monday as an extension of the holiday. It’s a public holiday in many nations, allowing families extra time together.
Australia celebrates Easter during autumn rather than spring, but the traditions remain similar. The Easter Bilby sometimes replaces the Easter Bunny as a native alternative.
Despite cultural differences, the universal themes of hope, renewal, and resurrection unite Christians worldwide in this joyful celebration.
Easter vs Passover Connection
Easter and the Jewish holiday of Passover share an intimate historical connection that dates back to the origins of Christianity.
The New Testament gospels describe Jesus’s death and resurrection as occurring during Passover. Jesus and his disciples were in Jerusalem to celebrate this important Jewish festival when the events of Holy Week unfolded.
The Last Supper was actually a Passover Seder meal. Jesus transformed elements of this Jewish ritual into what Christians now celebrate as communion or the Eucharist.
The word “Pascha”—another name for Easter—comes directly from “Pesach,” the Hebrew word for Passover. This linguistic connection reflects the deep roots between the two observances.
However, early Christians intentionally shifted Easter’s date so it wouldn’t always coincide with Passover. Today, while the holidays sometimes overlap, they’re celebrated as distinct observances with different meanings and traditions.
This connection reminds us that Christianity emerged from Jewish tradition, and understanding this context enriches appreciation for both faiths.
Fun Easter Facts
Easter brings fascinating trivia that adds extra interest to this beloved holiday!
Easter Island, the remote Pacific island famous for its massive stone statues, was named by Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen, who arrived there on Easter Sunday, 1722.
The tradition of White House Easter Egg Rolls dates back to 1878. President Rutherford B. Hayes opened the White House lawn to children for this fun event, which continues today.
Google Easter eggs are hidden features programmers sneak into the search engine for fun. Try searching “do a barrel roll” or “askew” to see some in action!
The Easter Bunny tradition likely originated in Germany. German immigrants brought this custom to America in the 1700s, where it became widely popular.
Americans spend over $20 billion on Easter each year, making it the second-highest-grossing holiday after Christmas. This includes candy, decorations, food, and gifts.
Jelly beans became associated with Easter in the 1930s. Their egg-like shape made them perfect for Easter baskets, and they’ve been a staple ever since.
The origin of the word “Easter” remains debated. The Venerable Bede, an English monk, suggested it might come from “Eostre,” an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and dawn. Others connect it to Old English words for “dawn” or “east.”
Conclusion
Easter stands as Christianity’s most important celebration, commemorating Jesus Christ’s resurrection and the promise of eternal life. This movable feast connects ancient tradition with modern celebration, bringing families and communities together each spring.
Whether Easter 2025 is on April 20 or Easter 2026 is on April 5, the message remains timeless: hope conquers despair, light overcomes darkness, and life triumphs over death.
From Easter eggs symbolizing new life to family dinners celebrating togetherness, the traditions surrounding this holiday create meaningful connections across generations. The changing date each year reminds us that faith follows its own rhythm, guided by the moon and seasons.
As spring flowers bloom and families gather, it offers a perfect moment for reflection, renewal, and rejoicing. Whether you observe it as a religious holiday or embrace its cultural traditions, it invites everyone to celebrate new beginnings.
Plan your Easter celebrations early, mark those important Holy Week dates, and prepare to create beautiful memories with loved ones. From all of us, we wish you a Happy Easter filled with joy, hope, and the promise of new life!
