When is Easter?
Easter is a moveable feast, so it lands on a different date each year. It is defined as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox, which places it between March 22 and April 25. Because of that rule the date shifts each year, and this countdown works out the next Easter Sunday for you.
Easter around the world
Easter is the most important celebration in Christianity, marking the resurrection of Jesus. It is observed with church services, family gatherings and traditions like egg hunts and special meals. Many Eastern Orthodox churches use a slightly different calculation, so their Easter often falls on another date.
Frequently asked questions
When is Easter?
Easter Sunday falls between March 22 and April 25, on a different date each year. The countdown above always shows how many days are left until the next one.
Why does the date of Easter change every year?
Easter is tied to the moon: it is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. Because the lunar cycle does not match the solar calendar, the date moves from year to year.
How many days until Easter?
The live countdown above shows the exact number of days, hours, minutes and seconds until the next Easter Sunday, and rolls over to the following year automatically.
Why does Easter's date change every year?
Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox (around March 21). That ties it to the lunar cycle, so it can fall anywhere from March 22 to April 25.
What is the difference between Western and Orthodox Easter?
They use different calendars to set the date, so Orthodox Easter often falls a week or several weeks later than Western (Catholic and Protestant) Easter, though sometimes they coincide.