When is the Easter in 2025
Key Takeaways
- Easter in 2025 will be on Sunday, April 20th. This date is determined by the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox.
- Easter’s date changes every year since it is based on the lunar calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. This natural cycles-related variability links Easter to the cycles of nature.
- Lent is a wonderful time of reflection and preparation for the miracle of Easter. The season begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5, 2025 and concludes with the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
- Easter has tremendous religious meaning for Christians as it represents the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It has deep historical ties to the Jewish Passover.
- Popular Easter traditions in the UK include egg hunts, chocolate eggs, bunnies, and special foods like hot cross buns and Simnel cake, rooted in both Christian and older pagan customs.
- In 2025, Easter celebrations will truly spring to life throughout the UK with wonderful family-friendly events and festivals. Prepare for an introduction to a host of cultural, religious and downright entertaining experiences!
Easter in 2025 is on Sunday, April 20. Like Christmas, it is a season rich in meaning and traditions such as Easter egg hunts, church services, and family gatherings.

Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar. Easter usually marks the coming of spring.
In the UK, bank holidays on Good Friday and Easter Monday make for a long weekend which many take full advantage of. Whether decorating eggs or enjoying the taste of chocolate bunnies, Easter celebrates a blend of cultural and spiritual importance.
Many schools are out for spring break this week. This provides families with the ideal opportunity to schedule exciting day trips or take longer holidays together.
It’s a time of gratitude, connection and celebration.
When is Easter in 2025?
Easter is by far the most important celebration of the Christian calendar. What sets it apart is that its date moves annually. For 2025, knowing when it will be means a bit of both historical traditions and modern astronomical calculations.
1. What is the date of Easter 2025?
In 2025, Easter Sunday is on 20th April. We know how deeply important this date is to so many of you. It is both a religious celebration and an important communal and reflective experience.
To Christians, the week preceding Easter Sunday is called Holy Week. It contains all important observances, such as Good Friday on April 18th. For families celebrating Easter, these dates are important whether it’s planning a family gathering, attending Easter services, or making travel arrangements.
In the UK, schools and workplaces often plan their holidays around this time. This alignment makes the time doubly meaningful, both religiously and communally.
2. How is the Easter date determined?
The date for Easter is determined by a formula that uses the lunar calendar and ecclesiastical approximations. More specifically, it is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox.
This approach links Easter to the solar and lunar calendars. It’s a path that leads us back to ancient ways, still closely aligned with the rhythms of nature. We treat the vernal equinox as occurring on March 21st.
This date is set in stone for our calculations, even though the real world astronomical equinox can vary a bit.
3. Why does the Easter date change every year?
Easter’s date is so variable because, unlike most holidays, it’s based on the lunar calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar used in day-to-day life. The lunar calendar, made up of cycles of 29.5 days, doesn’t fit perfectly into the solar year.
Therefore, the full moon and equinox timing move around from year to year. Other Christian denominations celebrate Easter in a way distinct to their traditions.
As an example, Eastern Orthodoxy uses the Julian calendar, which results in the differences in Easter dates by country.
Related Dates Leading to Easter
Easter changes dates each year because it is based on the lunar calendar. The decisions of this great Council of Nicaea in the 4th century go on to affect us still today. They determined that Easter would never again fall on any other date but the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox.
This approach is inextricably linked with the Paschal Full Moon. It ensures that Easter is always connected to some truly important astronomical events and some long-established theological traditions. Here’s how the important dates leading up to Easter 2025 play out.
1. When is Ash Wednesday 2025?
Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, is on 5th March 2025. It is a day of reflection and repentance, observed 46 days before Easter. This length of time consists of 40 days of fasting, not counting Sundays, representing the time Jesus fasted in the desert.
The date changes annually as it is based with Easter’s own calculation. For instance, in 2024 Ash Wednesday is on 14th February, showing how much the Lenten calendar can vary.
2. When does Lent start in 2025?
Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, 5th March, and lasts for the six weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. Primarily, Lent is a season of preparation, during which practices like fasting, prayer and almsgiving draw Christians closer to their faith.
The 40-day period is also symbolic, mirroring biblical examples of spiritual transformation, like Moses on Mount Sinai.
3. When is Palm Sunday 2025?
Palm Sunday, Sunday before Easter, is on 13th April 2025. We celebrate this date as the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, symbolized by the waving of palm branches.
Palm Sunday’s alignment with the Paschal Full Moon is an illustration of the complex system employed to calculate Easter’s date.
4. When is Good Friday 2025?
Good Friday is on 18th April 2025, marking the crucifixion of Jesus. Observed on Good Friday two days before Easter, it is a day of quiet contemplation on the themes of sacrifice and redemption.
The date’s nearness to both the spring equinox and the Paschal Full Moon emphasizes the astronomical factors at play in the timing of Easter.
The Significance of Easter
This is why Easter remains the most important observance of the Christian faith, rich in custom and heritage, a time of renewal and hope. Its celebration includes deep theological significance, cultural ties, and historical bonds, making it a rich and diverse observance.
To truly grasp its significance, one must explore its history and traditions.
1. Why do Christians celebrate Easter?
Easter is a holy day celebrated by Christians around the world to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It represents Christ’s victory over sin and death, giving all believers the assurance of eternal life.
For millions, this victory is far more than an event in history—it is the foundation of their faith, a source of hope and renewal. This joyous celebration comes immediately after Good Friday, which commemorates Christ’s crucifixion, creating a story arc of suffering, sacrifice, and ultimate redemption.
The Easter season, especially Holy Week, is marked by powerful prayers, services and rituals that contemplate this mystery.
2. What is the religious importance of Easter?
Easter is a beautiful and profound moment in the Christian liturgical calendar. It wraps up the liturgical year of Holy Week, Lent, and the Easter Triduum, and we move into the Easter season.
This development underscores narrative threads of penance, contemplation, and rejoicing. The egg, a well-known symbol of Easter, has been used to symbolize new life and rebirth for ages.
This beautiful tradition deepens the spiritual message of rebirth—of spiritual awakening and renewal of faith. For Catholics and many other Christian denominations, Easter is connected to Pentecost, the feast that celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit.
3. How is Easter connected to Passover?
The link between Passover and Easter comes with the understanding that they share the same roots. Both are linked to liberation and miraculous divine intervention.
Passover celebrates the Israelites’ liberation from Egyptian slavery, while Easter celebrates our spiritual liberation through Christ’s resurrection. Easter’s timing makes this connection especially poignant.
It’s based on lunar cycles, a tradition that dates back to the Jewish calendar. The Council of Nicaea adopted a formula for calculating the date of Easter, fixing it to the first Sunday after the full moon that comes after the vernal equinox.
4. Do other religions observe similar traditions?
Though Easter is uniquely Christian, many faiths celebrate rituals with similar motifs of revival and resurrection. For instance, Jewish Passover has similarities in timing and themes of deliverance.
Many cultures around the world celebrate Spring with similar renewal festivals, honoring growth, change and the cycle of seasons. These overlapping motifs emphasize communal human experiences connected to the rhythms of life and nature.
Easter Celebrations and Traditions
Easter, often referred to as a "movable feast," changes every year due to the use of the lunar calendar. Celebrated on Easter Sunday, it is deeply steeped in Christian traditions, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and marking the end of Lent. Beyond its religious significance, the Easter holiday is rich with customs and symbolic practices that have evolved over centuries, blending faith, folklore, and early spring themes.
1. What are popular Easter traditions in the UK?
Easter in the UK is much more of a family-centred celebration. Familiar traditions such as painting decorated eggs, the Easter egg hunt and the animated Easter egg rolling contests on Easter Sunday include rolling decorated eggs down a hill to represent the rolling away of the stone from Jesus’ tomb.
Church services are central, as many Christians attend early morning services to honor the themes of awakening and hope. Easter Sunday celebrations focus on meals that usually include roast lamb. After feasting on the savory dishes, everyone tucks into sweet treats like hot cross buns and Simnel cake.
In earlier times, regions like Leicester celebrated with unusual customs, such as the "hunting of the Easter hare," showcasing the holiday's local twists.
2. Why do we have Easter eggs and bunnies?
Easter eggs and Easter bunnies are full of symbolism. Today, eggs symbolize new life and rebirth, which fits perfectly with the season’s themes of renewal and rebirth.
The bunny, a symbol of fertility, is associated with Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of dawn and fertility. Painted eggs have a history that goes back to ancient Persia, representing spring’s rebirth. Despite being rooted in tradition, chocolate eggs have become a modern-day indulgence.
3. What is the history of hot cross buns?
Hot cross buns, traditionally spiced and marked with a cross, are a mainstay of Easter time in the UK. Their origins go back to the 12th century when a monk first baked the buns to celebrate Good Friday.
The cross represents the crucifixion, and the spices found in the buns likely signify those used in Jesus’ burial. By the 16th century, they were ubiquitous at Easter celebrations, at that point served toasted with butter as a delicacy.
4. How is Simnel cake connected to Easter?
Simnel cake, a light fruitcake covered with marzipan, has rich connections to the Easter celebration. Traditionally baked during Lent, it was an accepted Mothering Sunday gift.
The eleven marzipan balls atop them symbolize Jesus’ apostles, sans Judas. This cake makes a colorful, celebratory and symbolic addition to Easter tables, loved for its delicious flavor, sweet and rich in almonds.
5. What are traditional Easter games and plays?
Easter games add an element of fun to the holiday. Egg hunts are popular all over the world, with hints and puzzles making it a fun experience for kids.
Plays and pageants are another typical component of the celebration, usually reenacting the Easter story. In many villages, traditional sports such as egg rolling or tug-of-war help unite communities in jubilant rivalry.
Cultural and Historical Insights
Easter is a holiday rich with cultural heritage, combining pagan and Christian practices. To appreciate all of its layers during the Easter period, it’s important to look at the history of this complex celebration and the cultural impact that has molded its traditions.
1. Was spring celebrated before Christianity?
Long before Easter became associated with Christianity, spring was a time of great importance in pagan societies. The Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre, connected to fertility and rebirth, was worshiped in spring. Her name eventually gave rise to the name “Easter.
This association with regeneration makes the tie to the season’s themes of fertility and birth all the more appropriate. The pagan spring festival Ostara, named after the goddess, centered around the equinox, when day and night are equal in length. These initial springtime celebrations signified rebirth, as well as fortune or good luck.
Christianity subsequently co-opted them to represent the resurrection of Jesus. The Venerable Bede’s writings early on are the first to bring up Eostre. These depictions testify to the ways in which seasonal festivities were a lived practice across pre-Christian Europe.
2. How has British history influenced Easter celebrations?
British Easter traditions have changed through centuries of cultural appropriation. By the eighth century, the Christian celebration of Jesus’ resurrection had taken on the name Eostre. The British marked the event with historic celebrations.
They decorated egg shells, which their children rolled on Sundays, baked special Easter goodies like hot cross buns and celebrated unique traditions, such as the “hunting of the Easter hare” in Leicester, a ceremony that flourished until the mid-1700s. France and Germany made chocolate eggs in the 19th century.
This tasty ingredient had a long-lasting effect on today’s British Easter festivities, introducing a much sweeter element to the celebration. Easter’s date is moveable and based on a combination of lunar and solar calendars. It typically occurs sometime between March 31 and April 16.
3. What are unique regional Easter customs?
Throughout Britain, Easter traditions are divided by regional lines. In Yorkshire, egg rolling competitions celebrate the playful side of the holiday, representing the rolling away of the stone from Jesus’ tomb.
The people of Cornwall mark the holiday with "Pace Egging," a traditional play performed by local actors. In other countries throughout Europe, communities have taken to celebrating in different, more creative ways.
They proudly celebrate their rich traditions by decorating eggs and making special foods. These local touches lend to a colorful patchwork of traditions, blending history with modern-day practice.
Easter Events in 2025
Easter in 2025, occurring on Sunday, April 20th, ushers in a season of warmth, peaceful family meals, and culturally rich customs. Easter’s timing is not fixed, moving every year to follow the lunar calendar. It’s a movable feast because it always falls on the Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.
This ensures that no two celebrations are alike, each deepened by local happenings and decades-old traditions.
1. What family-friendly activities happen during Easter?
From Easter egg hunts to delightful Easter brunches, there’s an abundance of fun and entertainment awaiting families during the Easter holidays. Traditional egg hunts are very popular, usually hosted in public gardens and parks. These events are far more than just the thrill of searching for hidden treasures; they’re about creating lasting memories with family and friends in beautiful outdoor locales during the long Easter weekend.
Chocolate-making workshops offer a truly immersive experience, where kids and adults alike can learn how to create their own delicious confections. Most towns have a food market, where you can find seasonal produce, freshly baked hot cross buns, and Easter gifts, making it a fantastic Easter experience for everyone.
Harbourside bars and restaurants usually host a great atmosphere where families can relax, with Easter-themed menus and live music. Craft stations, featuring chances to decorate eggs or make spring-themed artwork, bring a hands-on aspect to the celebrations, ensuring an unforgettable Easter holiday for all attendees.
2. What are some notable Easter festivals in the UK?
In the UK, Easter festivals mix tradition with colorful community spirit. The York Chocolate Festival, the UK’s largest chocolate festival, celebrates the nation’s love of confectionery, with chocolate tastings, workshops, and chocolate-themed street performances.
Cornwall’s Padstow Easter Fair celebrates local crafts, food, and music, welcoming a mix of visitors and residents. Meanwhile, the historic port town of Bath holds a colourful parade of decorated floats that celebrate the arrival of spring.
All of these events combined to make a bustling, energetic atmosphere, rich with cultural and culinary experiences.
3. How can you plan for Easter holiday events?
Planning for Easter starts with diving into local and regional event calendars to discover events and activities that fit your interests and desires. Reserve workshops or tickets in advance to guarantee your spot at the most popular events (think making your own chocolate or guided tours of history).
For family outings, packing easy items such as picnic blankets or nature-themed craft materials make spontaneous adventures all the more easy. Most Easter markets provide the option to buy pre-made hampers bursting with delights and gifts galore – making shopping much easier whilst still helping support local enterprises.
Monitoring public transit schedules or construction or major road projects is vital in considering traveling through major metropolitan areas during this festive time.
Conclusion
Easter in 2025 is an opportunity to pause, praise, and reconnect with the culture traditions that unite us all—sometimes in ways we least expect. Falling on Sunday, 20th April, this year it will be a special time of testimony and celebration for communities across the globe. Easter is a time filled with beauty and meaning. From colorful egg hunts to quiet church services, each piece adds its own special joy to the holiday. Celebrating Good Friday and Palm Sunday deepens one’s understanding of the season. They use it to make something far more impactful than just a day of celebration.
Easter provides plenty of opportunities to experience magic that will last a lifetime. Whether you participate in local events, experiment with new recipes or spend time with your loved ones, watch your local calendars for news, and enjoy this unique opportunity!
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Easter in 2025?
Easter Sunday in 2025 is on 20th April. It is the most important Christian holiday celebrated around the globe.
What is the date for Good Friday in 2025?
Good Friday, part of the Easter holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus, will fall on 18th April 2025.
Why does the date for Easter change every year?
Easter’s date, a significant Christian holiday, depends on the lunar calendar and is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.
How is Easter significant for Christians?
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, marking an unforgettable Easter holiday that symbolizes hope, renewal, and salvation during the Easter period.
What are common Easter traditions?
Common customs during the Easter holidays include attending church services, family meals, Easter egg hunts, and giving chocolate eggs and gifts.
Are there special events planned for Easter 2025?
Are there exciting Easter events such as parades, markets, or celebrations during the Easter period in each city? Be sure to consult your area’s local calendar for particulars.
What is the history behind Easter celebrations?
Easter has a long history in both Christian holidays and pre-Christian cultures, intertwining the tale of Christ’s resurrection with motifs of springtime renewal during the easter period.
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