Mark your calendars. Easter 2025 is landing on Sunday, April 20.
If that feels a bit late to you, you're right. It is. Usually, we’re hunting for eggs in late March or early April, but 2025 is pushing the limits of the spring season. It’s actually one of the latest dates possible for the holiday.
Why does this happen? It’s honestly a bit of a headache involving the moon, ancient Roman calendars, and a bit of math that most of us haven’t thought about since high school. But knowing the date is only half the battle. Because it’s so late in April, everything from your travel plans to your garden planting schedule is going to look a little different this year.
The Weird Math Behind Easter 2025
You’ve probably noticed Easter moves around like a nomad. Unlike Christmas, which is stubbornly fixed on December 25, Easter is what we call a "moveable feast."
The basic rule, established way back in 325 AD at the Council of Nicaea, is that Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox. Basically, we wait for spring to start (March 21), wait for a full moon, and then hit the next Sunday.
In 2025, the spring equinox hits on March 20. However, the next full moon—often called the Paschal Full Moon—doesn’t show up until Sunday, April 13. Since that’s already a Sunday, the church rules dictate that Easter has to be the following Sunday. That brings us all the way to April 20.
It’s a rare alignment.
When Easter is this late, it changes the entire vibe of the season. Ash Wednesday doesn’t happen until March 5. Lent feels longer because it stretches deep into the warmer months. You aren't shivering in a light coat during a sunrise service; you're likely dealing with actual spring heat or, depending on where you live, the height of allergy season.
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Comparing the Dates
Just to give you some perspective on how late this really is, look at the surrounding years. In 2024, we celebrated on March 31. In 2026, it’ll be April 5. The absolute latest Easter can possibly occur is April 25, which last happened in 1943 and won't happen again until 2038. So, April 20 is pushing the envelope.
This creates a massive gap between the "early" Easters and the "late" ones. It affects school spring breaks, which often anchor themselves to the holiday, and it definitely affects the retail cycle. Candy companies love a late Easter. It gives them more weeks to sell those chocolate bunnies and Peeps.
Why the Late Date Matters for Your Wallet
Let’s talk money.
When Easter lands in late April, the travel industry goes a little wild. April 20, 2025, coincides with many schools' mid-spring breaks. If you're planning to fly to visit family, you’re competing with families heading to Disney World or the beach. According to historical travel data from sites like Expedia and Hopper, airfare prices for late-April Easters tend to be 15-20% higher than when the holiday falls in March.
You’ve gotta book early. Honestly, if you haven’t looked at flights by January, you’re probably going to pay a "procrastination tax."
Retailers are also shifting their inventory. Usually, by mid-April, stores are trying to clear out spring clothes to make room for summer swimsuits. But with the holiday sitting right at the end of the month, those pastel dresses and suits will stay at full price much longer. Don't expect the big "Easter clearance" sales until Monday, April 21.
The Western vs. Orthodox Split
Here is something most people forget: not everyone celebrates on April 20.
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There’s a split between Western Christianity (Catholic, Protestant) and Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The Western church uses the Gregorian calendar. The Orthodox church still sticks to the Julian calendar for religious dates.
Usually, these dates are weeks apart. But in a strange twist of celestial timing, in 2025, both calendars actually align. Both Western and Orthodox Easter will fall on April 20, 2025. This is pretty rare. It’s a moment of global unity for the holiday that doesn't happen every year. The last time they coincided was 2017, and after 2025, it won't happen again until 2028. If you have friends or family in both traditions, this is the year you can actually have one big dinner together without anyone feeling left out.
Gardening and the "Easter Frost" Myth
If you’re a gardener, a late Easter is a blessing.
There’s an old piece of folklore called the "Easter Frost." The idea is that no matter how warm it gets, there’s always one last cold snap right around the holiday. When Easter is in March, that frost can be devastating to early blooms.
But with an April 20 date, most of the northern hemisphere is safely past the "last frost" date. You can actually incorporate real, live flowers into your decor without worrying they’ll wilt in a sudden snowstorm. It’s the perfect year for tulips, hyacinths, and lilies to actually be blooming in your yard rather than just in a plastic pot from the grocery store.
What to Plant for an April 20 Bloom
- Pansies: These are tough. They can handle a random chilly night.
- Tulips: If you planted bulbs in the fall, they should be peaking right around mid-April.
- Snapdragons: Great for height in those Easter baskets or table arrangements.
Planning the Perfect April 2025 Weekend
Since the weather is likely to be much more reliable than usual, you should probably pivot your plans outdoors.
Forget the indoor brunch. Think about a backyard gathering. Because April 20 is so deep into spring, the "Spring Break" crowds will be in full swing. If you're planning on dining out at a popular brunch spot, the competition will be fierce. Many restaurants in major cities like New York, Chicago, and Dallas report that late-April holidays see a 30% increase in reservations compared to March dates.
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And don’t forget the food. Late April means we are entering peak asparagus and strawberry season in many regions. Instead of the heavy, wintery sides we often serve in March, you can go fresh.
A Quick Checklist for 2025 Prep
- Check the School Calendar: Many districts are decoupling spring break from Easter because the date is so late. Don't assume your kids are off the week before.
- Order Your Ham/Lamb Early: Local butchers get slammed when Western and Orthodox holidays collide. Since everyone is celebrating on the 20th, demand will be doubled.
- Allergy Prep: April 20 is prime pollen time. If you’re hosting an outdoor egg hunt, have some non-drowsy antihistamines on hand for your guests. It sounds weird, but they’ll thank you.
- Photography: The light in late April is much "warmer" and lasts longer than in March. You’ll have an extra hour of "golden hour" light for those family photos compared to a March Easter.
The Cultural Shift of a Late Spring Holiday
There is a psychological component to this too. When Easter is early, it feels like the start of spring. We’re all desperate for the sun. We’re wearing sweaters with pastel colors underneath.
But when Easter is April 20, it feels like the peak of spring. The trees are fully green. The "new life" symbolism of the holiday actually matches what you see when you look out your window. It’s a much more vibrant experience.
It also means the gap between Easter and the next major holiday—Memorial Day—is much shorter. You basically hit the ground running into summer.
Final Strategic Steps
Don't let the late date sneak up on you just because it feels "far away."
Start by verifying your local school’s schedule. Because April 20 is so late, some schools are opting for an early April break, leaving the Easter weekend as just a standard three-day weekend. This will dictate whether you can travel or if you’re hosting locally.
Next, if you are a member of a church or community group, check their schedule for Holy Week. With Ash Wednesday on March 5, the entire Lenten season occupies the bulk of the "nice" spring weather.
Finally, lean into the late date. Use the fact that it's nearly May to your advantage. Plan for outdoor activities, fresh seasonal produce, and a celebration that feels less like a struggle against the cold and more like a true welcome to the warm months ahead. April 20, 2025, is going to be a unique, sun-drenched outlier in the history of the holiday. Enjoy the extra warmth.