Easter is one of those holidays that just refuses to sit still. One year you’re hunting eggs in a snow jacket, and the next, you’re sweating through a seersucker suit in eighty-degree heat. If you're looking at your calendar right now and asking when’s easter this year, the answer is actually a bit of a shocker for people used to the March madness of previous years.
In 2026, Easter Sunday falls on April 5.
That is a solid week later than it was in 2024, and it feels like a lifetime away when you’re staring down the barrel of a long, gray January. It’s funny because we just assume it’ll land whenever the spring flowers decide to show up, but there is a massive, somewhat confusing mathematical engine grinding away behind the scenes to pick that specific Sunday. Honestly, it’s basically a celestial math problem that most of us haven't thought about since grade school.
Why Does the Date Keep Moving Anyway?
If you've ever wondered why Christmas is a steady December 25th but Easter bounces around like a caffeinated toddler, you aren't alone. It’s all about the moon. Specifically, the Paschal Full Moon.
Basically, the Council of Nicaea back in 325 AD decided that Easter should be observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox. If that sounds like a lot of jargon, it just means they wanted it to happen near the start of spring but always on a Sunday. Because the lunar cycle and our 365-day solar calendar don't line up perfectly, the date drifts.
The earliest Easter can ever be is March 22. The latest? April 25.
So, landing on April 5 means 2026 is a "middle-of-the-road" year. Not too early, not too late. Just right for actually having a chance at decent weather in the northern hemisphere. I remember one year in the early 2000s where Easter was so early we had to hide the plastic eggs inside the house because there was a foot of slush on the lawn. Nobody wants that. April 5th feels safer. It feels like real spring.
The 2026 Calendar Breakdown
Since Easter moves, it drags a bunch of other days along with it. It’s like the lead car in a very long, religious parade.
First, you’ve got Ash Wednesday. For 2026, that lands on February 18. That’s your official "winter is almost over" starting gun. Then you’ve got the heavy hitters in April. Palm Sunday hits on March 29, which leads right into Holy Week.
Good Friday is April 3.
It’s worth noting that for a lot of people, this date change messes with school spring breaks. Some districts tie their break to the holiday; others stick to a fixed week in March. If you’re planning a trip to Disney or trying to book a cabin, you’ve gotta check those school calendars now because the "Easter crowd" is going to be hitting the parks right at the start of April.
Different Easters for Different Folks
Here is something most people forget: not everyone celebrates on the same day.
If you belong to an Orthodox church, your calendar looks way different. Eastern Orthodox Easter (Pascha) often falls later because they use the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian one. In 2026, Orthodox Easter is actually April 12.
That’s a full week after the Western date. It’s kinda fascinating how two groups looking at the same historical event can end up seven days apart just because of which ancient calendar they prefer to use. It’s a nuance that matters a lot if you have a multi-cultural family or friends in Greece, Ethiopia, or Ukraine. You might be finishing off your leftover chocolate bunnies just as they are starting their biggest feast of the year.
Planning for the April 5th Holiday
When you realize when’s easter this year, you realize you actually have a bit more breathing room than usual. Usually, we're scrambling in March. This year, you have all of March to get your act together.
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Travel Bookings: If you are flying, the Friday before (April 3) and the Monday after (April 6) are going to be nightmare fuel at the airports. April is a massive travel month because of the transition from spring break into early spring vacations. Look at booking your flights by late January to avoid the "spring surge" prices.
The Food Situation: Lamb and ham are the big ones, obviously. But because it's April 5th, we might actually see some early spring produce like asparagus and peas that aren't just sad, imported versions. It changes the menu. You can lean into a lighter, "garden party" vibe rather than the heavy comfort food we serve when Easter is in chilly March.
Gardening: For the green thumbs, an April 5th Easter is a double-edged sword. You might want to plant your decorative lilies or pansies, but check your local frost dates. Just because the holiday is late doesn't mean the ground is warm.
The Weird Science of the Computus
There’s this fancy word called the computus. That is the name for the actual calculation used to determine the date of Easter. It’s incredibly complex.
It involves something called the "Golden Number" and the "Epact." Basically, it’s a way to track the age of the moon at the start of the year. If you really want to nerd out, you can find the algorithms online, but most of us just wait for the calendar app to update. What's wild is that the "ecclesiastical" moon—the one the church uses—doesn't always perfectly match the "astronomical" moon you see in the sky.
There are years where the moon is full on a Saturday night according to the telescope, but according to the church's ancient tables, it doesn't count until the next day. This keeps the holiday from jumping around too wildly, but it also means the date is a human-made approximation of a celestial event.
What This Means for Your Wallet
Retailers love a late Easter. When the holiday is in March, people are still in "winter mode." They don't buy as many new clothes or outdoor decorations. But an April 5th date is a goldmine for stores.
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You’ll start seeing the candy aisles turn pink and yellow the second the Valentine’s Day chocolate cleared out. Because there’s a longer gap between Valentine’s and Easter this year, expect a bit of a "mid-season" lull in sales followed by a massive push in late March. If you’re a bargain hunter, wait until April 6th. The clearance on those giant chocolate eggs is going to be legendary because stores will be desperate to clear space for summer gardening gear.
Honestly, the best thing about the 2026 date is just the vibe. There is something inherently "wrong" about a cold Easter. Having it on April 5th gives us the best chance for that quintessential spring morning. You know the one—where the sun is actually out, the birds are being loud, and you don't need a parka to walk from the car to the front door.
Actionable Next Steps for Easter 2026
- Check your school district’s spring break schedule immediately. Many are decoupling from the Easter holiday to keep their quarters even, which might mean your kids are off in mid-March while the holiday isn't until April.
- Book dining reservations by February. If you have a specific brunch spot in mind, April 5th is a high-demand date. By the time March rolls around, the best patios will be fully committed.
- Coordinate with Orthodox friends. Since their holiday is April 12th, it’s a great year to double up on celebrations or avoid scheduling big group events that might conflict with their Holy Week.
- Audit your spring wardrobe early. Since the holiday is in April, you can't rely on winter layers. It’s likely to be true "transition" weather—cool mornings and warm afternoons—so plan for layers that look good in photos but keep you warm during the inevitable egg hunt.