Easter moves. It’s a bit of a headache if you’re trying to plan a flight or a family brunch months in advance without a calendar handy. Unlike Christmas, which stays glued to December 25, Easter is what we call a "moveable feast."
So, let's get right to it. When is Easter 2025 holiday? Easter Sunday falls on April 20, 2025.
That’s late. Like, really late compared to the March madness we sometimes see. Because of this timing, your entire spring schedule is basically shifting back. You’ve got more time to shop for chocolate eggs, but it also means the "spring" feel of the holiday will likely be much more authentic in the Northern Hemisphere. We're talking actual blossoms, not just shivering in a light jacket during an egg hunt.
The Math Behind April 20
You might wonder why we can't just pick a Sunday in April and stick to it. It’s complicated. It’s actually tied to the moon. Specifically, Easter is determined by the Paschal Full Moon.
The basic rule, established way back at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, is that Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox. In 2025, the astronomical spring equinox is March 20. The first full moon after that doesn’t pop up until Sunday, April 13. Therefore, the following Sunday—April 20—becomes Easter.
Wait.
Why not the 13th? If the full moon is on a Sunday, Easter is technically the next Sunday to avoid overlapping with Passover, though the calendars don't always align perfectly due to some ancient ecclesiastical math. It's a weird system. It relies on "tabulated" full moons rather than the exact moment an astronomer sees it through a telescope.
Key Dates for the 2025 Lenten Season
Because Easter is on April 20, everything else in the liturgical calendar gets dragged along with it. If you’re planning around school breaks or religious observances, these are the dates that actually matter:
Ash Wednesday lands on March 5, 2025. This marks the start of Lent. If you're giving up coffee or chocolate, you're looking at a long haul through the chilly weeks of March and most of April.
Palm Sunday is April 13, 2025. This kicks off Holy Week.
Good Friday is April 18, 2025. In many countries, and even some U.S. states like Connecticut or Hawaii, this is a public holiday. Markets might close. Banks might shut their doors. It’s the Friday before the big day, and for many, it's the start of a long four-day weekend.
Then you have Easter Monday on April 21. While not a huge deal in the States, it’s a massive public holiday in the UK, Canada, and much of Europe. If you're traveling internationally around the when is Easter 2025 holiday window, expect heavy traffic and closed shops on that Monday.
Why 2025 is Actually Special (The Great Alignment)
Here is something most people don't realize. Usually, Western Christianity (Catholic and Protestant) and Eastern Orthodox Christianity celebrate Easter on different Sundays.
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This happens because the Western church uses the Gregorian calendar, while the Orthodox church typically sticks to the older Julian calendar. They also use different calculations for the equinox. Often, these dates are weeks apart.
But in 2025? They align.
Both Western and Orthodox Easter fall on April 20, 2025. This is a relatively rare occurrence. It doesn't happen every year. In fact, it won't happen again until 2028. For families that are "multi-denominational," this is a massive win. One dinner. One date. No double-celebrating or choosing which grandma's house to visit on which weekend.
What This Late Date Means for Your Wallet
Travel is going to be interesting.
April 20 is deep into "Spring Break" territory for a lot of school districts, but it’s also late enough that people are starting to eye early summer vacations. According to historical travel data from sites like Expedia and Hopper, late April Easters usually see a spike in domestic "nature" travel. Think National Parks.
If Easter were in March, people would be flying to the Caribbean to find heat. By April 20, the weather in places like the Great Smoky Mountains or the Grand Canyon is starting to get really nice. Expect higher prices for car rentals and hotels in those "outdoorsy" zones.
Also, look at the "Spring Break" overlap. Usually, colleges take their break in mid-March. Since Easter is so late in 2025, the "holiday travel" and "college kid travel" might actually stay separate, which could—theoretically—keep flight prices from hitting absolute peak levels in mid-April. But don't hold your breath.
Real-World Logistics: What Closes?
If you are hunting for last-minute supplies on April 20, 2025, you need to be careful.
Major retailers like Costco, Target, and ALDI historically close their doors on Easter Sunday. They give their employees the day off.
Walmart usually stays open. Most major pharmacy chains like CVS or Walgreens will likely have their doors open, but the pharmacy counter itself might have limited hours. Honestly, the best move is to get your ham and your Peeps by the Thursday before.
In the UK and Australia, the "Easter long weekend" is a serious thing. Shops are often legally required to close on Easter Sunday if they are over a certain square footage. If you’re a tourist in London on April 20, 2025, plan to spend the day in a park or at a church service, because the high-street shopping will be dead.
Common Myths About the Easter Date
People love a good conspiracy theory or a "fake fact" about why Easter moves. Let's clear some up.
Some folks think Easter is timed to coincide with Pagan festivals of the goddess Eostre. While the name might share roots, the date is strictly lunar and solar math. It’s not a random choice by Hallmark to sell more cards.
Another one? "Easter is always the third Sunday in April."
Nope. Not even close.
In 2024, it was March 31. In 2026, it will be April 5. 2025 is just an outlier on the later side of the spectrum. The earliest Easter can possibly be is March 22, and the latest is April 25. 2025 is pushing that upper limit.
Preparing for the April 20 Holiday
Since you know the date now, you can actually be smart about it.
If you’re hosting, start looking at lamb or ham prices in late March. Because it's a late Easter, we might see "Spring" produce like asparagus and artichokes at much better prices and quality than we do during those "Early March" Easters.
For those planning a religious pilgrimage or just a trip to Rome, keep in mind that April 20 will be incredibly crowded. With both calendars aligning, the influx of pilgrims to the Vatican and other holy sites will be doubled. You’ll want to book those tickets basically... now.
Actionable Steps for Easter 2025:
- Book Travel by January: If you need to fly for the April 20 weekend, the "sweet spot" for domestic flights is usually 3-4 months out.
- Check School Calendars: Many schools have a "Spring Break" that is fixed (like the second week of April) regardless of Easter. Check if your kids are actually off the week leading up to the 20th or if they just get Good Friday off.
- Orthodox/Western Planning: If you have friends in both circles, 2025 is the year for a joint celebration. Reach out now and claim the date.
- Garden Prep: If you live in a temperate climate, a late April Easter means your garden can actually be part of the celebration. Plan your planting so the tulips or daffodils are peaking right around the 20th.
Easter 2025 is going to feel different because it’s so deep into the spring season. It’s not a winter-adjacent holiday this time. It’s a full-blown spring event. Grab your calendar, mark April 20, and maybe set a reminder for March 5 to stop eating chocolate for a while.